The Collingwood Museum connects residents and visitors with the community's history through exhibits, programs, events, archives, and educational resources.
Tour Date Change Due to Heat Wave: Collingwood Art & Heritage Walking Tours
Due to the forecasted heat wave, the tours originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 have been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you then!
Visit the Collingwood Museum
Summer Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission is by donation, with a suggested donation of $5 per person.
Located at 45 St. Paul Street, the Museum offers exhibits, programs, and collections that explore Collingwood's history and heritage. For more information, contact the Museum at 705-445-4811 ext. 7211 or museum@collingwood.ca.
Please note: The South Georgian Bay Tourism Centre closed at the Museum location in 2019. For regional tourism information, visit Experience Simcoe County.
Temporary Service Disruption
The Collingwood Museum is in the final stages of the Washroom and Resource Room Renovation Project. Remaining work is being completed during regular operating hours, so visitors may experience occasional noise disruptions during their visit. The new accessible washroom is now fully operational. Additional service disruptions will be posted as needed.
Thank you for your patience and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you into our new and improved space!
On this page:
Featured Museum Initiatives
Explore featured initiatives, seasonal celebrations, and community programs that connect residents and visitors with Collingwood's culture and heritage.
Ursula Heller Photograph Collection
We are pleased to announce the Collingwood Museum has entered into a purchasing agreement with documentary photographer Ursula Heller to bring a remarkable collection of photographs home to Collingwood. The collection includes 79 rolls of black-and-white film and 309 prints, an invaluable visual record of a defining era in Collingwood's shipbuilding history.
In 1978, Ursula Heller was granted rare access to the Collingwood Shipyards during a pivotal moment in Canadian shipbuilding. At at time when the industry faced significant challenges, Ursula chose to document the people behind the ships, and the beauty she found in the shipbuilding process.
The Museum is currently seeking community support to acquire and preserve this collection, ensuring it can be shared with current and future generations. Donations can be made at the Collingwood Museum in person or online through the Town of Collingwood's payment portal on the town's website.
To donate click the Donate to the Museum button at the top of this page. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20.00 or more.
Open Late Wednesdays
Make your Wednesday nights a little more memorable this summer. The Collingwood Museum will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during Jazz & Blues Live at The Station, presented by the South Georgian Bay Music Foundation.
Before the music begins, step inside and explore Collingwood’s history through engaging exhibitions and artifacts. Then head outside at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to enjoy incredible performances on June 25, July 8 - August 5.
Please note: The museum will be closed if the event is cancelled or relocated. A service disruption notice will be posted on the museum's website.
Historic Places Days: Collingwood Art & Heritage Walking Tours
UPDATE: Due to the forecasted heat wave, the tour originally scheduled for Tuesday, July 14 have been rescheduled to Tuesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Join us for Historic Places Days, a nationwide celebration of heritage sites presented by the National Trust for Canada. Discover Collingwood’s history and vibrant arts scene on this free guided walking tour through the historic downtown.
This free guided walking tour explores the deep connections between Collingwood’s built heritage, industrial roots, and the creative works now found throughout its historic downtown. Along the way, you'll view murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect the community’s history while learning about the artists and stories behind these creative works.
Tours depart from the Collingwood Museum on July 15 and 21, with tours offered at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day. The tour is approximately 60 minutes in length and covers a distance of about 2 kilometres. Participation is free, and no registration is required.
Programs & Events
Discover museum programs, exhibits, and collections that offer opportunities to learn, explore, and engage with local history.
Summer Programs
Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to spend active, heritage-inspired mornings with Museum staff throughout the summer. Participants will take part in hands-on, museum-based activities that bring history to life in engaging and interactive ways.
Programs run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays), for nine weeks beginning June 29. Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, preregistration is required. Cost is $18 per child or $15 for Museum members. Click the button below to register on Xplor Recreation (formerly PerfectMind) or call 705-445-4811 ext. 7223.
The Affordable Recreation Program offers fee assistance for Collingwood residents facing financial barriers and may help cover eligible recreation programs and activities. Learn more and apply through the Town's Recreation Activities page.
Exhibits, Memberships & Research
Learn more about museum exhibits, membership opportunities, and archival collections that help preserve and share Collingwood's history.
The Ones We Met
The Collingwood Museum is pleased to present The Ones We Met – Inuit Traditional Knowledge and the Franklin Expedition, a travelling exhibition developed by the Canadian Museum of History and the Inuit Heritage Trust. The exhibition explores how Inuit oral history helped solve one of the Arctic’s greatest mysteries, the fate of Sir John Franklin’s 1845 expedition, culminating in the discoveries of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror in 2014 and 2016. Through photographs, illustrations, audio recordings, and an animated map, visitors will learn about Inuit encounters with Franklin’s crew, early European exploration of the Arctic, and the enduring importance of traditional knowledge. Presented in the four official languages of Nunavut, the exhibition will be on display at the Collingwood Museum from July 1 to September 26.
Ready, Set, Play: Retro Video Games
Power up and press start! Ready, Set, Play: Retro Video Games takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through the history of home gaming. From classic consoles to iconic games, this summer’s Community Collectors exhibit explores the evolution of video games through the decades. The exhibit will be on display from the end of June through September.
Stay tuned for a special Community Collectors Games Night where visitors can put their skills to the test playing classic video games!
Museum Membership
Not a member yet? Membership to the Collingwood Museum has its privileges.
Become a member and help support our efforts. In addition to free admission and discounts in the gift shop, members receive monthly e-newsletters that keep you up-to-date on museum projects and events.
To become a member, please fill out the online application linked below. Museum Staff are available to answer any questions you may have in regards to Museum Membership at 705-445-4811.
Collection and Research
The museum houses an archival collection that is accessed by researchers from around the world. Photographs of Great Lakes vessels, Collingwood’s historic homes, downtown, and early industries are amongst the most popular items. To learn more about image reproduction services please contact museum staff.
Collingwood Museum Podcast
The podcast, Stories from Another Day, explores the people, events, and moments that helped shape Collingwood into the community it is today. Join the Collingwood Museum and host Ken Maher as they uncover more than 160 years of local history, from tragedies and triumphs to resilience and transformation.
Check back monthly for new episodes.
Gift Shop
No visit to the Collingwood Museum is complete without exploring the Museum Gift Shop. Browse a selection of books, games, clothing, prints, postcards, souvenirs, and locally inspired gifts.
Visit the Museum to shop available items or contact Museum staff with any questions.
Virtual Tours
Growing Roots: The Legacy of Smart Bros. Ltd. in Collingwood Self-guided Driving Tour
First World War Virtual Walking Tour
