The first week in April is Archives Awareness Week across the province.
To encourage people to use the archives we are offering free archival research service (on-site only). This is a great chance to learn more about your community's history, or begin your family research.
Please call to book your appointment.
Takes place at the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre April 4th-7th. New Chat Room lecture series begins at the Clarke Museum April 17th.
User Guidelines
Submit a Research Request Form
Clarington Museums and Archives collects materials relevant to the development and history of the Municipality of Clarington. Our collections feature:
- Family records
- School registers
- Assessment rolls
- Cemetery records
- Old newspapers
- Vintage photos
- A variety of subject files (which include churches, community organizations and local businesses).
The Archives are comprised of the collections of both the Bowmanville Museum and the Clarke Museum and Archives. We have been collecting material since 1961 and many of our information resources are unique. The Archives is located in the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre in Bowmanville. We offer a research room in which items of interest may be perused. We also have a large reference library of books on local history, dolls, and antiques.
Popular Research Topics
Many of the requests we get are regarding genealogy. However, the number of requests to research properties and homes continues to grow steadily. We can often help with such requests, but a visit by the researcher to the registry office may be required first.
Another popular topic is the Dominion Organ and Piano Company. This Bowmanville based industry produced pump organs and pianos for many years. We have serial number lists for pianos with dates, but none for organs. An approximate date for an organ can often be given from a visual inspection of the instrument (either on-site or by photograph).
The German Prisoner of War Camp in Bowmanville (Camp 30) is also a popular research topic. We have some records pertaining to this camp as well as a detailed scale model.
Museum members may come in to use the archives for free. Non-members are charged $10.00 per request. Museum staff are able to do research for those who cannot visit. The cost is $25.00 per hour (members get a 10% discount). Photocopies are 25 cents. Photograph copies on disc are $1.00.
The Archives is open during regular hours of operation. Appointments must be pre-booked.
