Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)

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

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Hours

Open By Appointment

Notices and Announcements:

Giving Tuesday

Did you miss our Christmas Sale? We’ll be having a round two! The CWHC will be open from 10:00am to 2:00 pm on December 3rd. Come by on this year’s “Giving Tuesday” to get decorations, gifts, and more, all while supporting the museum!

Open By Appointment

Our 2024 season has ended and we no longer have regular hours. We continue to be open by appointment. To book a visit after this date, please call 519-371-3333 or email info@waterfrontheritage.ca. Regular hours will resume in spring of 2025.

Last Updated on November 22nd, 2024

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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A graphic with the text "Announcing Social Prescriptions Engage Cultural Seniors Project." A graphic at the bottom indicates that the project is supported by the Federal Government's New Horizons Program.

Introducing "SPECS"

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre is pleased to acknowledge that we have received funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This funding has allowed us to start our new project: Social Prescriptions Engage Cultural Seniors (SPECS).

To learn more about SPECS and keep up to date on its developments, click here or go to waterfrontheritage.ca/specs.

You can find a listing of SPECS events on our calendar here.

Give the Gift of History: Adopt an Artifact

Are you looking for something different to give as a gift this year? Why not give the gift of history? If you know someone with an eye for heritage, treat them with an artifact adoption from a local museum! Artifacts at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre can be adopted for anywhere from $25-$100.

Adopt in someone else’s name and you’ll be able to give them an adoption certificate showing their support for local history, a written history of the adopted artifact, and they’ll be treated to a tour of the museum which will include a look behind the scenes at our artifacts in storage and plans for next year’s exhibits!

Inquire about artifact adoption by calling 519-371-3333 or emailing curator@waterfrontheritage.ca. If you’re not sure what artifact someone would like, don’t worry! You can always let them pick for themselves when they come in for their tour!

Christmas Sing-Along with Kelda and May

Join us for an afternoon of Holiday Spirit! On December 11th at 2:30 pm we will be hosting a Holiday Sing-Along at the CWHC. Come by for a festive atmosphere and all of your favourite tunes!

All are welcome for this program! Entry is free for anyone aged 55 or older, and by donation for general admission.

For questions, you can email specs@waterfrontheritage.ca. We can’t wait to see you there!

This event is funded in part by the Federal Government’s New Horizons For Seniors Program as part of our SPECS initiative.

Marine & Rail Christmas Sale

Did you miss our Christmas Sale at the museum? Don’t worry, we’re having a part 2! Come to the CWHC on Giving Tuesday, December 3, to look through gifts, gently used Christmas Decorations, and more!

We will be open from 10:00am to 2:00pm, so come down and visit! On top of the Christmas selections, you will be able to enjoy free entry to the museum and a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

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.