Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)

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

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Hours

Friday: 12:00pm-4:00pm | Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm

The museum is available by appointment for other dates and times

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

Entry is free for OPEN Card holders.

Notices and Announcements:

Winter Hours

Winter hours have begun! The CWHC is now open Fridays from 12-4pm and saturdays from 10am-4pm. Visits are available by appointment any day of the week.

Ferried Through the Years

We will be hosting the Grey County Historical Society at the museum on November 19th at 1:30pm. All are welcome to join for “Ferried Through the Years,” a look at the history of the local ferry service.

Last Updated on November 9th, 2025

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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Grey County Historical Society Meeting

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre will be hosting the next meeting of the Grey County Historical Society on November 19th at 1:30pm. All are welcome to join us for “Ferried Through the Years,” as we take a look at how steamboat services dating back to the mid 1800s helped to shape the modern day operations of the Chi-Cheemaun.

From Owen Sound’s first ferry services to the role that local industry played in the establishment of the Tobermory-South Baymouth route, this talk will leave you with a greater understanding of the history behind the ferry service.

Entry is free for this talk.

The Chi-Cheemaun is Back!

The Chi-Cheemaun is back in Owen Sound!

The Chi-Cheemaun ended its 51st season on October 26th, and took its repositioning cruise back to Owen Sound on October 27th. 450 people boarded the ferry in Tobermory and rode to the harbour where it will be spending the 2026-2027 winter.

With the “Big Canoe” back in town, it’s the perfect time to visit the harbour! Come down on a Friday or Saturday to see the ship up close, then learn about its history at the museum!

Silent Movie Night

Come to the museum for a classic film!

📅 November 7

🕙 Doors open at 5:30pm | Movie starts at 6:00pm

🎬 Buster Keaton’s “The General”

🎟️ Entry by Donation

🍿 Bring your favourite movie snacks or get them at the museum!

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.