Our Heritage Harbour Walks are coming back this June! Starting on June 12th, join CWHC Curator Zack McLean for a walk along Owen Sound’s waterfront. Along the way, you’ll learn about the city’s origins and growth through stories of the ships, trains, and factories that made their name here. How did the Chi-Cheemaun come about because of an old furniture factory? How did trains in Owen Sound help immigrants reach the Prairies? Did old ship captains really navigate by the smell of the trees? All these questions and more will be answered on the waterfront this summer.

Heritage Harbour Walks will take place each Thursday and Saturday this summer, starting June 12th. Tours will begin outside the CWHC at 4:15pm, and are roughly 45 minutes long. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for VIP Members, and $5 for youth (age 5-11). Tickets can be purchased in-person at the CWHC or online here

For more information, or to inquire about booking a private tour, call us at 519-371-3333 or email info@waterfrontheritage.ca.

Join us at the CWHC on our historic Coach 4884 for the return of Tea on the Train! We are hosting three teas in partnership with the Reach Centre to nourish your body and mind. Tickets include tea and treats prepared and served by Reach to be enjoyed alongside a presentation by CWHC Curator Zack McLean, with a new subject at each tea.

There will be three teas this summer: July 17, July 31, and August 7. Each tea will begin at 2:00pm. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online here. Tickets can also be purchased in-person at the CWHC.

The presentation on July 17th is “What’s in a Name”. Join us for a look at how ship’s get their names and how that impacts their story.

On July 31st you can come for “Two Stations, Zero Trains: Remembering Owen Sound’s Railways.” It has been 30 years since the last train to Owen Sound, so we’re reflecting on the rich, sometimes unnecessarily complicated history of the railways in Owen Sound.

Lastly, join us on August 7th for “History in Miniature.” Learn how we can use modelling and dioramas to better understand the history of Owen Sound, the ships that came here, and more!

Join us at the Owen Sound Legion on September 13th for our 2025 Model Rail Show and Sale! Come to browse a variety of vendors to find that piece that you’ve been looking for to add to your layout! Come to see not only model railway equipment in a variety of scales, but also working layouts!

The show will run from 10:00am to 3:00pm on September 13th. Admission is just $5 and includes entry to the CWHC. Interested in being a vendor? It’s just $20 to register a 6-foot table! For registration and more information, contact us by phone at 519-371-3333 or by email at info@waterfrontheritage.ca.

As the summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to adopt an artifact at the CWHC! Our “Adopt and Artifact” program is a great way to support the museum while also learning more about your favourite pieces!

When you adopt an artifact from our collection, not only will you receive an adoption certificate, but you’ll also get your name and support listed alongside the artifact in our galleries! You will also receive a write-up of the artifact’s history and significance to the museum, along with a tax receipt for supporting the museum.

Artifact adoptions are available in four tiers: Bronze ($25), Silver ($50), Gold ($75) and Platinum ($100). Most of the collection is available to adopt at these tiers, with the exception of the larger items in the outdoor collection. At the Gold and Platinum Tiers, you will also be able to receive a special tour of the museum where you will learn all about how we store and manage the artifacts in our collection.

To Learn more about artifact adoption, you can reach out to curator@waterfrontheritage.ca.