Explore the past. Honour the present. Educate the future.
In the 1980s, the members of Branch 188 of the Royal Canadian Legion started collecting memorabilia from their service days to show people that the good life enjoyed today is because of the efforts and sacrifices made by those who had gone to war. Soon, they had accumulated enough items to display.
In 1987, an accumulation grew to a full display in a donated 45-foot semi-trailer. Display cases built by the members, are home to their uniforms, medals, and weapons. This trailer became known as the “Mobile Museum”, which toured local towns, schools and fairs throughout Southern Ontario. Charlie Campbell, a tail gunner in a Lancaster Heavy Bomber during World War II, traveled with other veterans to answer questions and share military information.
At one air show, a man approached Charlie and told him he had something for the Museum to which Charlie said to put it in the trailer. Charlie returned to the trailer and surprisingly discovered a 15-foot torpedo. This memorabilia collection outgrew the trailer, resulting in an old warehouse on the property, owned by the Conklin Lumber and Mill Yard, rented and refurbished into a museum.
On November 25, 1993, the Museum was incorporated as the “Kingsville Historical Park Inc.” The following Charter directors signed the letter of patent: Charles Campbell, David Clare, Fred Jarrold, Donald Laird, Douglas Laird, Dorothy Martin, Frank Reneau, Brian Sanford, John Slater, and Jean Walton.
However, by 1997, the old warehouse was in bad shape and had to be demolished, so a new building was constructed. Volunteers spent days, weeks, and months working on the construction, and the new building was officially opened on August 12, 2000.
In October 2021, the Museum was rebranded as the “Kingsville Military Museum” with a ribbon cutting by Deputy-Mayor Gord Queen and councilors in attendance. Today, it features items that belonged to service members who served in the military during the Early Militia, World War I, World War II, Korea, Peacekeeping Missions, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Kingsville’s history is also on display with a town designated Heritage Homes display as well as items from the farming and fishing community. The Research Library contains numerous books and binders containing information on the Windsor-Essex County Soldiers, War Brides and family stories.