"... I hope [the Centre] shall someday form a complex where history, books and paintings and unspoiled woods form a cultural centre for Minden and that the younger children and those yet unborn shall find beauty, knowledge and a sense of heritage to mould their thoughts and character."
- Dr. Agnes Jamieson
A Brief History on the Minden Hills Cultural Centre
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre consists of the Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden Branch of the Haliburton County Library, and Minden Hills Museum.
The Cultural Centre can trace its beginnings back to February 29, 1896 when a group of Minden citizens signed a document to establish a public library in Minden under the Public Library’s Act of 1895. In 1898, two rooms over the bank owned and operated by J.H. Delamere were fitted as a Library and Reading Room for the use of the community. In 1918 the Minden Library was moved across the street, above the Minden Echo Printing Office operated by R.H. Baker. In 1942, a fire destroyed the library and every other building on that side of the street. E.A. Rogers offered the use of a few shelves in his office in Minden’s Registry building; librarians Irene Moore and Jeanne Sears visited homes to collect books and restock the shelves with their young children in tow. This arrangement lasted 8 years. In 1950, the library operated on a parcel of land donated by Annie Cox, in the old and tiny post office building donated by Sam Welch. Finally, in 1957, the library was given the old Sterling Bank building out of which it operated from 1958 to 1981.
Dr. Agnes Jamieson arrived in Minden in 1939, becoming Minden’s first lady doctor. In 1942, she was named first female coroner in Ontario. Outside her medical practice, she enjoyed dabbling in art. She was friends with artist Andre Lapine. She dreamed of establishing an art gallery in Minden. When Minden’s undertaker, Frank Welch, passed away, he bequeathed his collection of Lapine works to the Township of Anson, Hindon and Minden on the condition that a gallery be constructed to house them.
In 1979 plans began to build a new library building. With Dr. Jamieson looking for a place to put her art gallery, and another group of cultural enthusiasts – including Laura Kirkwood, Aileen Blears, Doug Pritchard, Irene Moore, and Jennie Hagen – eager to establish a local museum, it seemed only natural to combine the three into one centre for cultural enrichment.
September 26, 1981 the Minden Library and Cultural Centre was opened at 176 Bobcaygeon Rd. – its present location. Less than a year later, on June 4, 1982 the Sterling Bank building, former home of the Minden Public Library, was moved to the Library and Cultural Centre to become the Minden County Town Museum. The Museum was officially opened June 30, 1984. In 2004, the Centre was renamed the Minden Hills Cultural Centre.
Thanks to the diligent citizens of Minden and area who were present at its beginnings, the Minden Hills Cultural Centre continues to serve the cultural, literary, and historical needs of our community.
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