Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)
Celebrating the Marine, Rail and Industrial Heritage of Owen Sound, Ontario
Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Hours
Monday-Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Notices and Annoucements:
Summer may be done but we aren’t!
The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre will be open each day from now until Thanksgiving from 10:00am-4:00pm
We are seeking interested candidates to join our Board of Directors. If interested, please click here to contact us.
Last Updated on September 4th , 2023
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.
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.
The building also houses the offices of the Owen Sound Tourism Department, making information about the city available to residents and visitors.
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.
CWHC is committed to having an open and transparent Board of Directors.
Chair: Jan Chamberlain
Vice Chair: Stephen Crane
Secretary: Diane Austin
Treasurer: Janet Iles
Board Members:
Syd Austin,
Chris McCurley
Staff:
Zach Mclean
Curator & Manager
Waterfront Heritage
A series of Newsletters published by the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC
Contact Us
Comunity Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)
1155 1st Ave W,Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8
Call Us: 519-371-3333
Email: info@waterfrontheritage.ca