County and City to partner for next phase of Stones ‘N Bones legacy

Wyoming, ON - The County of Lambton Cultural Services Division, as part of its ongoing commitment to cultural development across the region, has completed a key step toward securing the long-term future of the Stones ‘N Bones Museum collection.

For more than 30 years, Stones ‘N Bones Museum founders Jim and Allison Richards welcomed visitors to a unique and extensive collection of approximately 5,000 natural history specimens, including fossils, dinosaur bones and casts, mounted animals, and rare geological materials. Following Jim’s passing in 2023, Allison continued to operate the museum with reduced hours and, in 2025, approached the County to discuss the future of the collection.

Allison has generously offered to donate the full collection to ensure it remains accessible to the public. In response, the County has been exploring how best to preserve, display, and integrate this important community asset.

To advance this work, the County has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Sarnia, which outlines joint support for renovations to the Sarnia Library facility at 124 Christina Street South, identified as the home for the collection. Early planning envisions exhibits throughout the building’s main and second floors, including a dedicated area for a reimagined Stones ‘N Bones experience on the second floor of the building.

Realizing this vision will require significant capital investment and detailed project planning. The County and City will establish a joint staff project committee to advance architectural design work and determine total project costs. This information will guide the development of a public fundraising campaign to support the renovation and relocation.

Negotiations related to the donation of the collection remain ongoing. Project timelines will depend on the completion of these discussions and the success of subsequent fundraising efforts. If the donation proceeds, renovation and installation work is expected to take several years to complete.

The County anticipates sharing further details in a public announcement planned for May 2026, pending the finalization of agreements with the Stones ‘N Bones Museum.

-30-

Please contact:

Ryan Beauchamp
Assistant Solicitor / Deputy Clerk
County of Lambton
519-845-0809 ext. 5253
Email: Ryan Beauchamp