Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)

Celebrating the Marine, Rail and Industrial Heritage of Owen Sound, Ontario

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Hours

Thursday-Saturday

12:00pm-4:00pm

Sunday-Wednesday: Open By Appointment

Adults: $5. Children (up to 11 years old): Free

Entry is free for OPEN Card holders.

Notices and Announcements:

Winter Hours

The museum’s winter hours begin October 12th. The museum will be open Thursday to Saturday from 12-4pm. To arrange visits on other days, please email info@waterfrontheritage.ca.

Museum Closed Nov 8-13

The CWHC will be closed from November 8-13th. If you need to get in touch with the museum during that time, please email info@waterfrontheritage.ca.

Last Updated on November 5, 2026

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre
1155 1st Ave W,Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8

Call Us: 519-371-3333
Email: info@waterfrontheritage.ca

CWHC is a registered charity:
# 839177177 RR0001

CWHC is a member of the Ontario Museum Association and the Ontario Historical Society.

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The Family Fleet

Through the mid 20th Century, Owen Sound was home to a family-run fleet of freighters, tugs, and barges. The Hindman Transportation Company became known not just to locals, but to the marine industry at large.

Visit the museum this September to learn about the ships, the people, and the stories behind the Hindman Fleet.

From George Hindman’s earliest endeavors to the fate of the ships he sailed, there are countless stories to tell.

Do you have a connection to the Hindman Transportation Company? Email curator@waterfrontheritage.ca to share your story!

Sailors Grave Stories

⚓️ Spooky stories from the Great Lakes await! Join us at Greenwood Cemetery Sailor Grave Stories & Great Lakes Ghost Ships.

🕗 45-minute walking tour starting at the mausoleum

🎟️ $10 | Tickets at the museum or online

📅 October 23, 24, 29

📅 November 20, 21, 22

👟 Wear comfy shoes and get ready for tales of shipwrecks, captains, and sailors lost to the waves.

Get your tickets online here!

Adopt an Artifact

Show your support for local heritage by adopting an artifact today!

Pick your favorite artifact at the museum and “adopt” it at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum tier.

Platinum: $100

Gold: $75

Silver: $50

Bronze: $25

When you adopt an artifact, you’ll get an adoption certificate, and your support for the museum will be displayed next to the artifact in our galleries. Platinum-tier adopters will also have thei names added to our list of Heritage Heroes!

Email curator@waterfrontheritage.ca to learn more.

About CWHC

Learn all about the Community Waterfront Hertitage Centre

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre celebrates and preserves Owen Sound’s heritage on the waterfront. It focuses on the marine, rail and industrial history of the City and surrounding communities.

Our Vision

The CWHC enlivens community connections and experiences through sharing collective stories.

Our Mission

The CWHC honours the legacy of “The Waterfront” community hub by sharing stories, presenting fun and educational experiences and offering unique opportunities to explore the curiosity of area residents and connect the imagination of visitors to our collective history.

Our History

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre is located in the historic CN Rail Station, on Owen Sound’s harbourfront. The Marine Rail Heritage Centre was first established in 1978 by a volunteer group of history enthusiasts who wanted to preserve and expand upon Owen Sound’s history as a thriving port. It preserves the area’s marine, rail and industrial history. It opened to the public in 1985.

On June 28, 2014, the Centre officially opened under new management. We hope you will visit us regularly, whether in person or virtually.

Housed in a former Canadian National Railway Station, the museum features artifacts, scale models, archival photos and interactive stations. It also showcases exquisite ship models made by skilled artisans, along with CNR and CPR memorabilia. Each season, it hosts temporary special exhibits. The former CN station is now listed on the city’s Heritage Register.

Ask to see the working model railroad, or if you’re there at 12 or 5 p.m. enjoy the sound of the historic Kennedy Foundry Whistle.