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:

End of Regular Hours for 2025

Regular hours at the museum will end on December 13th and resume in the new year.

End of Year Donations

If you wish to receive a tax receipt for 2025, please ensure that donations are received by the CWHC no later than Dec. 31.

Last Updated on December 8th, 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.

DONATE TO CWHC

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End of Year Donations

Support the museum and receive tax receipts for yourself or your business for the 2025 tax year! As a registered charity, the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre issues tax receipts for donations of $25 or more.

To receive a receipt for 2025, donations must be received by December 31st. Cheques must be made out to the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre, and be dated no later than December 31st, 2025.

You can receive receipts for various forms of support, including Artifact Adoptions and sponsorship for events and programs. To learn more about ways to support the museum, email info@waterfrontheritage.ca or call 519-371-3333.

Donations can also be made online through Canada Helps, Zeffy, or e-transfer to info@waterfrontheritage.ca

From Alpha to Omega

Hear the history of Owen Sound’s Greek Community! Come to see a presentation by local author Lili Anne Holding and get a signed copy of one of her books while you’re at it!

📅Friday, January 23rd

🕙 6pm

🎟️ $5/person or included with a book purchase.

📧 Email info@waterfrontheritage.ca to learn more.

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.