The donation of thousands of natural history specimens to the County of Lambton has been finalized.
Stones 'N Bones Museum owner Allison Richards is gifting what she and her late husband Jim collected to the county, as part of plans to relocate and integrate the museum into the Sarnia Library facility.
"This collection is deeply personal to our memory," said Richards. "For more than 30 years, Jim and I shared our passion for natural history with the community and watched generations of visitors discover something new each time they came through the doors. Knowing that the collection will continue on, be protected, cared for, and made accessible in a new way through the County of Lambton, is something truly special. I’m grateful that Jim’s legacy, and everything we built together, will continue to inspire curiosity and wonder for years to come."
The collection features 4,650 artifacts, including fossils, dinosaur bones and casts, mounted animals, and rare geological specimens.
Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott thanked Richards.
“On behalf of Lambton County Council, I want to express our sincere appreciation for this extraordinary donation,” said Marriott. "This is a landmark moment for our community, ensuring that this remarkable collection will be preserved, protected, and shared with the public for generations to come.”
Ownership of the collection is anticipated to formally transfer to the County of Lambton by the end of 2026.
Sourcing of funding programs and the planning of a community fundraising campaign, to help pay for the renovation required to move it into the downtown library, is underway.
A reimagined Stones ‘N Bones Museum on the second floor, with several main floor library enhancements, could open to the public as early as 2028.
The museum remains open at its current Christina Street location until September, when it's expected to close to facilitate the packing and temporary storage of the collection until the new space is complete.
