Castle Kilbride

06/01/2026

We have an exciting month planned at ! Take a peek at the upcoming events and plan your visit!

05/29/2026

Sadly, on this day 112 years ago, The RMS Empress of Ireland sank. On display at is a jacket from originally belonged to Caroline Turnbull who, at the age of 44, travelled to Canada from England with her two youngest children (Grace 15, Reggie 11) to visit her 22-year-old son who was marrying a Canadian bride. When Caroline returned to England with Reggie in May 1914, she left Grace this jacket for the unseasonably cold weather that was occurring that month. Unfortunately, Caroline and Reggie had tickets for the Empress of Ireland, which sank in the St. Lawrence on May 29, 1914. Caroline and Reggie’s bodies
were never found, and Grace kept the coat as a memento for the rest of her life.
“The RMS Empress of Ireland was a transatlantic passenger ship that sank early in the morning of 29 May 1914 on the St. Lawrence River killing 1,012 of the 1,477 people on board. It is considered Canada’s worst maritime disaster and one of the most tragic in history.
The event came two years after the RMS Titanic sank after striking an iceberg on 15 April 1912 taking over 1,500 lives. After the Titanic tragedy, measures were taken to ensure nothing like it would happen again. The Empress of Ireland was therefore equipped with more lifeboats than necessary and watertight longitudinal bulkheads which, in the event of an emergency, could be sealed so the ship would remain afloat even with two of the sections compromised. The crew were also highly trained to respond to a crisis and the ship was upgraded in 1912 with state-of-the-art safety devices, lifejackets, and new steel lifeboats.
All these precautions turned out to be meaningless, however, when the ship was struck by the Norwegian collier Storstad around 1:50 in the morning of 29 May 1914, tearing a large gash in the starboard side of the Empress that flooded the ship and sank her in under 14 minutes.”

05/28/2026

4 in 5 Canadians agree that local museums are a place to learn about the history of a community. Join us in celebrating May is Museum Month and share how museums have shaped your understanding of local history recently below!
Ontario Museum Association

05/27/2026

This Friday, is excited to kickoff its newest guided tours - Vogue Visits. Book tickets for 10 am or 1 pm and receive a guided tour of the museum, the Vogue Voyages exhibit and finish with crafting a fabulous fascinator or brilliant bowtie! Available Friday May 29, Saturday May 30 or Sunday May 31.

Guided tour by costumed guide of the Vogue Voyages: Travel Clothes 1912 - 1939. Afterwards make a fascinator or bowtie

05/22/2026

This is the last weekend to come out and see Expressions of WODSS: A Juried Exhibition! This show features the finest selected pieces from an array of students from WODSS working in diverse media. Art is on display in the Belvedere Gallery and Administration complex.

05/21/2026

93% of Canadians agree that museums spark curiosity, promote wonder, and promote creativity and a ‘love for learning’. Join us in celebrating May is Museum Month and let us know how a museum has helped shape your thinking recently below!
Ontario Museum Association

05/20/2026

Today is the Day! is excited to announce its newest exhibit Vogue Voyages: Fashion on the High Seas Travel Clothes 1912 – 1939. Get on board with a fashion display that manifests the grandeur of travel during the steamship era. View clothing and outfits that made waves. In proud partnership with the Fashion History Museum.

05/15/2026

3 in 4 Canadians agree that museums contribute to a sense of belonging and membership in a community. Join us in celebrating May is Museum Month and let us know how a museum has contributed to your sense of community recently below!
Ontario Museum Association

05/13/2026

Next weekend is ’s High Sea Tea and Tours, inspired by the museum’s special exhibit Vogue Voyages: Fashion from the High Seas 1912-1939. Enjoy a delightful, guided tour of Castle Kilbride and the Vogue Voyages exhibit by costumed staff. Afterwards sip on lemon chiffon tea while you indulge in a taste of tea menu items from around the world (British scones and baklava). Teas will be served on the front lawn, in the event of inclement weather (rain or heat) teas will be held indoors. Tickets required.
Date: May 22, 23 & 24
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $22/p.p.
Tickets:

Castle Kilbride's popular tea and tours inspired by the museum's special exhibit Vogue Voyages: Fashion from the High Seas 1912-1939.

05/13/2026