Collingwood Museum

Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Admission to the Collingwood Museum is by donation with a suggested $5 donation per person. Located at 45 St. Paul St. Contact by phone 705-445-4811 ext. 7211 or email museum@collingwood.ca

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Temporary Service Disruption: Planned Closure

The Collingwood Museum will be closed for contractor site visits on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The Museum will reopen for regular hours of operation on Thursday, October 16, at 10:00 a.m. We appreciate your patience during this planned closure.

Exhibit title card with Collship 100 years logo lightly in the back.

Souvenirs of Shipbuilding Days

For more than a century, the Collingwood Shipyards shaped not only the waterfront, but the heart of the town itself. Once known as “the town with the ship at the end of the street,” the sounds of the yard were the rhythm of daily life. As one of Collingwood’s largest employers, the shipyards connected generations of families in a proud tradition that helped define the community’s identity for over 100 years.

This exhibit brings together souvenirs, gifts, and keepsakes that carried the shipyard spirit into homes near and far from glassware, commemorative calendars, postcards, buttons, and more. Some were tokens of appreciation from management; others, personal reminders of a life and legacy built along the shores of Georgian Bay. Each item offers a glimpse into the pride, resilience, and community spirit that defined Collingwood’s shipbuilding story.

On display from September 5 onwards.

Ghostly image of the exterior of the Collingwood Museum tower.

Haunted Tour with Dean Hollin

The Collingwood Museum invites you to join staff on a haunted walking tour! You are guaranteed to have a spook-tacular time listening to terrifying tales and ghostly stories as guest host Dean Hollin leads you along the shadowy streets of Collingwood’s Heritage Conservation District. While on the walk, you will hear about ghostly experiences including the smell of cigar smoke and footsteps in a building that once housed the Enterprise Bulletin newspaper, apparitions in the hallways of a former doctor’s house, the tragic story of one of Ontario’s oldest unsolved murders, and other strange sightings.

Evening guided tours will be offered on Friday, October 24, Wednesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. The 2 km walking loop will begin and end at the Collingwood Museum and will take approximately 1.5 hours. This is a ticketed event. Limited tickets are available for $15.00 (plus HST and service fee) and can be purchased online by clicking the button below. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 7 at 9:00 a.m.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets
 

Title of Tales by Latern Light Program

Tales by Lantern Light October PA Day Program

Step into the glow of lantern light for a morning of mysterious tales and old-time magic! In this Halloween-themed PA Day program, children ages 6 - 12 will discover how stories were told before electricity, using magic lanterns, stereoscopes, and zoetropes to make images dance. We’ll explore curious artifacts and make our very own working zoetrope to take home.

Program runs Friday, October 24, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $15 per child / $12 for members. Preregistration required. Registration opens Wednesday, October 1 at 9:00 a.m. Click the button below to register on PerfectMind or call Museum Staff 705-445-4811 ext. 7223.

Click Here to Register on PerfectMind

The affordable recreation program offers fee assistance for Collingwood residents facing financial barriers, covering activities like swimming, skating, museum day camps, and more—learn and apply on the town's official page.

Title image for Chicago Bound: Collingwoods Connection PA Day Program

Chicago Bound: Collingwood's Connection November PA Day Program

Travel back to a time when Collingwood had surprising ties to the bustling city of Chicago! In this PA Day program, children ages 6 - 12 will explore our community’s connection to the famous 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where groundbreaking inventions, amazing exhibits, and dazzling displays wowed the world. We’ll uncover fascinating stories, see unique artifacts, and create a themed craft to bring a piece of the fair home.

Program runs Friday, November 14, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $15 per child / $12 for members. Preregistration required. Registration opens Wednesday, October 1 at 9:00 a.m. Click the button below to register on PerfectMind or call Museum Staff 705-445-4811 ext. 7223.

Click Here to Register on PerfectMind

The affordable recreation program offers fee assistance for Collingwood residents facing financial barriers, covering activities like swimming, skating, museum day camps, and more—learn and apply on the town's official page.

Collingwood Museum west side entrance in the fall.

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.

Click Here for the Online Membership Application

 

A woman with curly hair sits at a table with gloves on looking through collections materials.

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. 

Click Here to Search Online Collection Database

Sepia toned photograph of 19th century people.

Stories from Another Day - A Collingwood Museum Podcast 


Stories from Another Day travels through Collingwood's past to find the people, events and stories that made this town into the jewel it is today. Join the Collingwood Museum and host Ken Maher to explore over 160 years of tragedies and triumphs, disasters, and determination.  

Check back for new episodes monthly. 

Click Here to Listen on Spotify

Items in the Museum gift shop. Tshirts, mugs and books.

Gift Shop

No visit is complete without browsing the Museum’s quaint gift shop. You will find a wide selection of books, games, clothing, small gifts, prints, postcards, and more.

Please come in to the Museum to view available items or call staff with any inquiries.

Virtual Tours

Growing Roots: The Legacy of Smart Bros. Ltd. in Collingwood Self-guided Driving Tour

Journey through Smart Bros. Ltd. history with our virtual self-guided driving tour. Explore homes, farmlands, and sites that share the story of this influential family business from 1890 to the 1970s. Physical copies of the tour available at the Museum.

First World War Virtual Walking Tour

Our First World War virtual walking tour featuring points of interest on the museum grounds and within Collingwood's historic downtown. Enjoy from the comfort of your home, as a self-guided walking tour, or contact the Museum to book a guided tour.

Virtual Shipbuilding Tour

Explore the Town's shipbuilding heritage at virtualmuseum.ca with more than 100 photos, detailed text and audio in their virtual exhibit titled "Hulls on Hurontario: Collingwood's Maritime Legacy"