The Sterling Bank (early 1900s)

This bank dates back to the early 1900s. Minden's very first bank was established by J.H Delamere in 1895. In July 1907, the Sterling Bank of Canada purchased a property at the corner of Newcastle Street and Bobcaygeon Road, and built this iconic red building. Delamere was hired as the bank manager for this location, and would stay on until it closed in 1911. The Sterling Bank re-opened in 1919 and was sold in 1925 to the Standard Bank of Canada, which was eventually taken over by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

By 1958, a larger bank building was needed. Solid as a rock, the original building was moved to Peck Street to house the public library. When the library was relocated to the new Minden Hills Cultural Centre, the Sterling Bank came with it and was donated to the Museum, becoming the first historic building on the Museum grounds. When it first opened, the Museum’s entire collection was housed and displayed in this one tiny space. Nowadays, the museum has expanded, but the original Sterling Bank still highlights many original features from 111 years ago, and is used to showcase highlights from the collection.