Forest Carnegie Library Event Centre

Fall 2026 Newsletter — A New Chapter

September 1 marks the beginning of a new chapter.

In a world that seems to change almost daily, perhaps it is a good time to pause and recognize what is truly important to us.

Recently, while looking at Google Maps and exploring the Lambton Heritage Farm Houses, I found myself reading the words “farm demolished” again and again—year after year.

I found it painful.

Behind every one of those homes were families who worked the land, raised children, built lives and cared for their homes and properties until, for one reason or another, they were gone.

It reminded me that communities are not simply buildings and businesses. They are people, memories, stories and the places that hold them.

What happens to a community when we stop caring for the things that harbour its history?

Behind every historic building, farmhouse, business or gathering place are the people, stories and memories that helped shape the community we know today. Once those places are gone, much more than a building is lost.

This is one of the reasons we continue to care for the Forest Carnegie Library. We believe preserving a historic building is not simply about protecting bricks and architectural details. It is about giving the building a meaningful place in the community today—and future for tomorrow.

And so, with that thought, we welcome you to our Fall Newsletter from the Forest Carnegie Library Event Centre.

Preserving It for the Future

The Forest Carnegie Library has survived for more than a century because people before us believed it was worth keeping. We fondly call it the Event Centre because, while the Lambton Shores Forest Public Library continues the tradition of authors, books and reading, we have given the historic former library a new purpose.

Today, it is a place for you to come together, share an event, enjoy family and friends, learn something new, or simply spend time together.

Stephen and I have personally invested in restoring and maintaining this building because we believe it still has a purpose in Forest. But preserving a heritage building and keeping it available for community use is an ongoing commitment.

If you believe this building has value to Forest and to future generations, we welcome conversations about ways you might help secure its future—including charitable giving, legacy gifts, trusts or other forms of financial support.

Every contribution, whether through participation, ideas, use of the Centre or financial support, helps us continue the journey.

We don't want simply to preserve a building. We want to preserve its place in the community life of Forest.

A Building With Many Lives

You know the history better than I. This building began as a Carnegie Library and served as a place for learning and community gathering. Over the years, it has taken on many other faces—a school, a place of hairdressing, a nursery, job centre and photography/art studio, among others.

So many people have brought their energy, ideas and dreams into this building.

Today, we are trying to carry that spirit forward.

What Has Been Happening

As summer of 2026 comes to a close, we want to thank Forest Travel Agency for their continued support and presence in the Centre.

They are here on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Stop in, meet the staff and talk about possible travel plans 519 786-2329

We were also delighted to welcome Zoi Monroy, who travelled all the way from Sudbury to help Lisa Reaume host Forest’s first "inCruises Travel Club" session. inCruises is a subscription based travel rewards club offering access to cruises, hotels, and resorts. To learn more, contact Lisa at 519-503-2928

Looking Ahead

There is more to come this fall.

We expect to participate in the annual Women's Business Meeting, community Halloween activities and, of course, the Forest Christmas Hollyberry Tour, hosted by the Forest Museum.

The Forest Hollyberry Christmas Tour 2026 

November 14 and 15 - 1 to 4pm both days

Please stop by the Forest Museum to purchase your tickets and pick up your tour guide and bootie covers.

The tour offers visitors the opportunity to step inside several special local homes, a couple of businesses and churches, to enjoy a few beautifully holiday decorated rooms and entryways in each. The bootie covers help us protect these treasured spaces as you move from one place to the next.

We are very thankful to every owner who has chosen to participate.

For more information on the tour, contact David or Bev McLean at 519-786-3239

And Then Comes Christmas...

Following the Hollyberry Tour, we are hopeful that the Event Centre can be open on Thursdays through Saturdays during November and December, allowing people to simply come in, look around and enjoy the space.

Perhaps have a glass of wine or a hot chocolate.
Maybe play a game of billiards.
Listen to some music.
Share a conversation.

Or perhaps you'll begin to envision how the Event Centre could help you host an event of your own.

Hours will be announced once confirmed.

A Place to Gather

The Event Centre continues to evolve slowly, as people discover the many ways the space can be used.

Families have gathered here. Businesses and faith groups have held meetings. We've hosted teas, showers, photography sessions and community activities.

We've welcomed the Forest Museum, local businesses and individuals who simply needed a place to come together. And that is really what we are about.

This is not simply a rental hall.

It is a place where people can share food, music, stories, ideas, photographs, games, conversation and plans for the future.

Our large screen, 5G internet and modern technology allow the building to function as a contemporary meeting and learning space, while its historic character reminds us of what came before.

Our Thirst for Knowledge

The original purpose of a Carnegie Library was to give people an opportunity to read, learn, share and expand their understanding of the world.

That spirit remains.

Today, most of the books may have been replaced by computers, screens, music, photography, conversation and technology—but the purpose is remarkably similar.

A Thirst for Knowledge can take many forms.

It can be found in a conversation, a story about the past, a new idea, a family photograph, a piece of music, a business discussion—or even a game of billiards!

A Place for Your Event

We recognize that many homes simply aren't designed to comfortably accommodate 20, 30 or more people.

That's where the Event Centre can help.

You can use the space yourself, or we can help arrange services such as food delivery, decorating or cleanup.

Our goal is simple: Host without the Hassle.

We keep your private event private and confidential. Weddings, showers, birthdays, family gatherings and private meetings are not publicized by us. We only promote events that are intended to be public.

We continue to support and work alongside all Forest businesses, the Forest Business Improvement Area (look us up in the shopforest.ca directory), Sarnia-Lambton Tourism, Lambton Shores Economic Development, Lambton Shores Museums and Libraries and Ontario heritage initiatives.

We believe there is value in protecting what remains while finding new ways to use it. Forest has changed many times. It will continue to change. Our hope is that, together, we can recognize what we already have and build upon it.

Forest Carnegie Library has been part of this community since 1912.

We hope it will continue to be a Great Place to Gather for generations to come.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of Forest's story.

Come visit us.
Come share something. Find us some photos and stories of the past.
Come learn something. We can hold sessions on using computers, phones and the internet, just ask.

So bring your own Thirst for Knowledge.

Warmly,

Lisa Reaume, Event Manager 519 503 2928 lisa@fclec.com

Kathleen (Kate) kate@fclec.com Stephen Ward
Forest Carnegie Library Event Centre
602 481-5577