A new partnership between the County and City aims to preserve 5,000 natural history specimens within the downtown library, shifting a private treasure into a permanent public asset.
The County of Lambton has reached a milestone in securing the future of the Stones ‘N Bones Museum collection. Following the passing of co-founder Jim Richards in 2023, the County has been working with Allison Richards to ensure the massive collection remains accessible to the Sarnia-Lambton community.
A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Sarnia identifies the Sarnia Library at 124 Christina Street South as the collection's new home. This move signals a transition from a private passion project to a publicly held institution, resisting the loss of local cultural assets to outside interests.
The vision for the library includes the following developments:
Renovations to the main and second floors of the 124 Christina Street South facility.A dedicated area on the second floor for a reimagined Stones ‘N Bones experience. Integration of fossils, dinosaur casts, and geological materials throughout the building.
While the collection is being donated, the move requires significant capital. The County and City are forming a joint project committee to determine architectural designs and total costs, which will eventually lead to a public fundraising campaign.
This project highlights the importance of local institutions stepping in to preserve heritage when private models become unsustainable. By housing the collection in a public library, the city ensures that these 5,000 specimens remain a tool for education rather than being sold off to the highest bidder.
Negotiations for the donation are ongoing, and the physical relocation is expected to take several years. The County anticipates releasing more specific project details and timelines in May 2026.
