Lens-Artists Challenge #394 | History Through the Lens

John introduces this weeks theme and its ideal for him and his traveling! John has some stunning examples within his blog, my favourite being the first from Arizona.

“This week, it’s my great pleasure to host a challenge that leans into two of my favorite pastimes—photography and historic sites. Many of my favorite destinations are places where history still lives—recreated, restored, or simply preserved as they stand today. While it would be perfectly proper to feature a single favorite park, site, or museum if you’d like, I’m opening the door to a bit more variety. You’re welcome to choose from any of the subtopics in this challenge, mix and match them, or bring your own historic theme if none of these themes quite fit your submission.” John

I thought on this over the afternoon, I have already blogged about our travel to Nashville and Nova Scotia, and then I remembered a photo tour I went on many years ago. Doors Open Wellington North in 2014 where you could pop in and out of places within Mount Forest and Arthur and learn the various history of the sites.

Mount Forest Archives – Its very cool that you can step into the archives building and can be instantly transported back in time!

The Library in Mount Forest, over the years and the building in 2026 still looks much the same!

Two churches in Arthur, I believe one is the United and another possibly the Presbyterian.

Each spring in our area the Holstein Maplefest happens in the Love Sugar Bush. Its a beautiful piece of property and this year they celebrated their 30th year! This is a photo from years ago inside their one barn type building down in the sugar bush. I find it so fascinating!

This one isn’t a historic site – but rather historic sight as the olympic flame came through our small town back in December 2009!

I love old bridges like this, this one was taken back in 2009 and is still there today tucked away on the edge of town on the Mount Forest Saugeen Trail!

A local race track where we used to spend almost every weekend, truly a historic site – Varney Motor Speedway – Circa 2010!

The historic view coming into town, with the big water tower, doesn’t matter how many years ago, this is the view you see.

I found this online – not my photo :) I think from 1912

The Cenotaph in Mount Forest

Historic in a sense, we live in a small town rural community where we have a lot of Mennonites who travel by horse and buggy.

The Holstein local Christmas parade is always non motorized its so very cool to see all the beautiful horses! Its a Christmas tradition for 33 years in 2026!

Beautiful historic buildings in a snow storm from back in 2014!

This was a fun challenge to look back, photos I haven’t taken lately that I now feel a photo tour is in need for some updated shots!

Next week, it’s Beth’s turn to host. Be sure to follow her [here] so you don’t miss her challenge that goes live on Saturday at noon Eastern Time.

If you’re sharing a Lens‑Artists Challenge response for the first time, welcome—we’d love to visit your post. To participate, publish your take on this week’s theme, link back to this page, and add the Lens‑Artists tag so others can discover your work. You’ll find more details on how the challenge works here.