Collingwood Museum

06/17/2026

🚨The countdown is on! Just one week remains to take participate in our Cultural & Recreation Explorer Passport Program, running May 5 - June 25, 2026!🚨

Visit all four participating locations, collect your stamps, and enter for a chance to win an amazing prize pack!

Prize pack includes:
• 16 free swim passes for Centennial Aquatic Centre
• 15 free skate passes for Central Park Arena
• One Collingwood magnet
• One Collingwood Museum pen
• One XL Collingwood Museum t-shirt
• The Collingwood Public Library water bottle
• The Collingwood Public Library candle
• The Collingwood Public Library pen
• One M Collingwood Public Library sweater
• Two Collingwood Blues pucks
• One Collingwood terminals hat

For more information visit www.collingwood.ca/museum

06/15/2026

120 years ago in June 1906, Osler Castle was listed for sale in the Collingwood Saturday News. Located on the Niagara Escarpment in the area now known as Castle Glen Estates, this striking 14-room stone residence was built between 1893 and 1895 for Toronto lawyer Britton B. Osler and his wife, Caroline Smith. Designed by Collingwood architect Robert Burdette, the 340-acre estate offered spectacular views of the Nottawasaga Valley and Georgian Bay.

The castle was intended as a peaceful retreat for Caroline, who suffered from severe arthritis. Tragically, she visited only once before her death. Following Britton Osler’s passing in 1901, the property sat vacant and was placed for sale in the spring of 1906. Over the decades, the estate was reduced in size and the once-grand home fell into ruin. Today, only remnants of its stone foundations remain on private property, a lasting reminder of one of the region’s most fascinating lost landmarks.

Curious about Osler Castle? Explore the Town of Blue Mountains Cultural Map, created by our friends at the Craigleith Heritage Depot. Search for Osler Castle to discover the rich history of this historic estate and its lasting connection to our region. Click here to access the Cultural Map: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/museum/tbm-cultural-map

Collingwood Museum Collection, X971.654.1

Image: A gentleman, possibly Britton Bath Osler, stands in front of Osler Castle in this photograph taken around 1896–97.

06/11/2026

We had a wonderful time participating in the Mountain View Spring Fair on June 10!

A big thank you to all the amazing families and children who stopped by our booth and took part in our button-making activity. It was a pleasure meeting everyone and seeing so much creativity and enthusiasm throughout the day.

We can't wait to be back next year!

06/09/2026

We are excited to welcome and shine a spotlight on our new summer staff to the Museum. Welcome Andrea!

“Hi everyone! My name is Andrea, and I am the new Summer Collections Student. I hold a BA in history and am excited to begin my master’s program in The History of Family (online) through the University of Limerick this coming fall. For the past four years, I’ve worked at the Craigleith Heritage Depot, which really drove my passion for local history. I’m thrilled to join the team at the Collingwood Museum, and I look forward to building on my experience here!”

Image: Smiling for the camera, Andrea stands in front of the honour walls located on the Museum grounds.

06/08/2026

Thank you Collingwood Public Library for your kind words! We’re honoured to help preserve and share the stories that make our community unique. We’re grateful for partners like the Collingwood Public Library who share our commitment to connecting people with local history. Here's to continuing to celebrate and preserve Collingwood’s rich heritage together! ❤️

📜✨ International Archives Week
Every great community has its storytellers—and ours are the incredible archive keepers at Collingwood Museum🙌

From rare records to hidden local stories, they preserve the moments that make Collingwood… Collingwood.
From all of us at Collingwood Public Library—thank you for keeping our history alive 💙

06/07/2026

Spring is in full swing in Collingwood, and wildlife is everywhere you look! Birds, squirrels, and rabbits are busy enjoying the season. But what if you spotted horses, camels, and even elephants strolling down Hurontario Street?

115 years ago, on June 7, 1911, Howe’s Travelling Circus made its way through downtown Collingwood in a grand parade. This remarkable scene passed the Temple Building, the Traders Bank of Canada, the Canadian Bank of Commerce and other businesses on the west side of Hurontario Street, drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the unusual animals and performers.

Take a closer look and you'll notice something even more interesting. The elephants appear to be carrying advertisements for local businesses, turning the circus parade into a unique marketing opportunity!

Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.751.1

Image: Crowds line both sides of Hurontario Street as a circus parade, including elephants, camels and a horse drawn wagon, makes its way through downtown.

06/05/2026

🎉 Our June PA Day Program was a blast! 🎉

We began the day by learning about the historic Nettleton’s Jewellery Store and examining artifacts from the Museum’s collection connected to the long-standing local business. Participants then visited the site where the jewellery store once stood, bringing a piece of local history to life.

Afterwards, everyone got creative making their own bracelets and clocks to take home!

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We had a wonderful time learning, exploring, and creating together.

☀️ Want to join the fun? Summer program registration is open. To preregister for summer programs, visit www.collingwood.ca/museum and secure your spot today

06/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming Hannah to the Museum team this summer as our student programmer! We’re excited to have her on board. Welcome, Hannah!

"Hi, my name is Hannah and I am excited to be joining the museum this summer as a Student Programmer, I am a student at Brock University and will be entering my second year of the concurrent education program this fall. I am looking forward to a great summer!"

Image: Hannah stands in front of the decorative gate and fence on the Museum property. The gate and fence were originally installed at the Northen Navigation Company's buildings on Huron Street around 1913.

06/03/2026

Did you know, the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company was not the only ship building business in Collingwood? 125 years ago, the tugboat Laura Grace was launched by shipbuilder Robert Morril on June 3, 1901.

Although the original photograph credits the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, further research reveals the boat was actually built by Robert Morrill, who continued on a successful family shipbuilding tradition begun by his father Alred in 1869.

At the launch ceremony, Miss Collins christened the Laura Grace with a bottle of champagne before the tug headed off to work for the Pigeon River Lumber Company in Port Arthur.

Over the years, the boat changed ownership several times before meeting a tragic end on December 13, 1918. While travelling from Kingston to Port Dalhousie, the Laura Grace was caught in a fierce winter storm and capsized near Grand View Beach in Greece, New York.

Today, the remains of the Laura Grace still rest off the shore near Long Pond Road in Greece, New York.

Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.173.1

Image: The newly built tug, Laura Grace, is moored in the Collingwood harbour. The freight shed is visible directly behind the boat.

06/02/2026

We are wrapping up Season Five of Stories from Another Day with another special collaboration with our friends at the Craigleith Heritage Depot, exploring the shared stories and connections between the Town of Collingwood and the Town of the Blue Mountains.

In the final episode of the season, host Ken Maher and guest co-host, Josh Skelton take a closer look at one of the region’s most iconic and celebrated businesses, Blue Mountain Pottery. From its unmistakable glaze to its lasting impact on Canadian design and local history, this episode uncovers the story behind the beloved name.

Listen to Season Five, Episode 10 “Under the Glaze: Blue Mountain Pottery” on Spotify or your preferred podcast provider. You can also find a link to the podcast on the Museum’s webpage, www.collingwoodca/museum.

Photograph courtesy of the Collection of the Craigleith Heritage Depot.

Image: An aerial photograph of Blue Mountain Pottery retail outlet at the corner of Mountain Road and Highway 26.