Who Are We?

The Wembley and District Arts Culture and Historical Society is a non-profit society formed in 2012. We have a 30 year lease with the Town of Wembley for 6 acres within the boundaries of the town. From our formation in 2012, we have moved several heritage buildings to our site, a 1941 airport house, a one-room schoolhouse, an Anglican church formerly from Wembley, and a dray barn and a blacksmith shop both original to Wembley. 

Phase 1 is the fenced heritage area with all the buildings in it. We brought electricity to the site and gas to the site. Hosker’s Blacksmith shop, the church and the school are currently heated with overhead heating units. The house has a furnace. Three of the buildings have been put on basements. The barn, Hosker’s Blacksmith shop and a sheep shed are on cement pads. Repairs and replacement to buildings is ongoing with a focus weatherproofing and increasing efficiency of buildings. Approximately 4 acres have been fenced.  Repairs and replacement to buildings is ongoing with a focus on reduce operating costs of buildings and increase fire prevention measures where possible. 

We are currently developing Phase 2, which is the unfenced area to the east and our Event Centre. Phase 2 is primarily aimed to provide a more consistent revenue stream for our projects and the Heritage Site. Our plan is developed the unfenced area to be used for parking as well as well as possibly a permanent Farmer ‘s Market, a garden and orchard area and a rentable gathering area. The Event Centre is located within the Heritage site and is a 40’ x 40’ former winery building that will be transformed into a small kitchen, bar area, and 2 bathrooms with rentable space for 50 – 75 people for activities, event space, meeting area or workshops etc. for the community, local industry, business and individuals.  Our intention is to have the house represent a time period of 1940-1949 as a little museum, the school house is going to house an art gallery and space for art and craft classes, and the church will be restored to host small receptions and weddings.

We are hoping to start development of Phase 2, which is the unfenced area to the east. Our plan is for this area to be developed to be a revenue stream for the overall project. Currently we are seeking funds to move the 40’ X 40’ former winery building to this area, and add a 16’ X 40’ commercial kitchen to the front.

The society is run by a 9 member volunteer Board of Directors. All monies come from grant applications, fundraising, and donations! Lifetime and annual memberships are available, we currently have approximately 50 lifetime members. Membership fees are $100 / Lifetime Membership or $20 / person / Year. 

Mission Statement: To recognize, promote and appreciate the art, culture and history of Wembley and District.

Vision Statement: To improve the quality of life for the residents of the Town of Wembley and surrounding area by providing an opportunity for the community to involve itself in the arts, culture and history of our area.