Here are the most popular museums in the Oshawa-Durham & Kawartha region:
Airmen Park
(Oshawa)
1000 Stevenson Road North, Oshawa
Airmen Park’s focal point is a Korean War surplus Sabre aircraft, and also contains plaques and other commemorative relics.
Allan Macpherson House
180 Elizabeth St., Napanee
(613) 354-4883 o F: (613) 354-3112
Tea reservations (613) 354-5982
Built before 1830 by Allan Macpherson, this house remains a fine example of late Georgian architecture. In 1812, he had leased the mills on the opposite side of the Napanee River, and also ran a general store on Dundas Street and wasNapanee’s first postmaster and an active magistrate, In 1849 he moved to Kingston and his house was
taken over by his son Donald, where it remained in the family until 1896, and it is now a museum. Open May to December, Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 12 pm to 4:30 pm. Afternoon tea is served on Thursday afternoons in July and August from 2 pm to 4 pm,
Art Gallery of Peterborough
250 Crescent Street
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 2G1
(705) 743-9179 Fax (705) 743-8168
Opened in 1974, the gallery is situated on the shore of Little Lake beside Del Crary Park and features 1004 pieces from around the world, as well as art from local and First Nations artists and artisans. Open: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. The Gallery is wheelchair accessible.
Camp X Intrepid Park
(Whitby)
Boundary Road at Lake Ontario, on Whitby’s waterfront trail
From highway 401 go south on Thickson Road to Wentworth Street – left (east) to Boundary Road – right (south) about 600 ft. – top of hill on your right).
Camp X Historical Society Mailing: P.O. Box 23, Whitby, L1N 5R7
Commemorates the Canadians who trained fought as agents behind enemy lines in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), under Sir William Stephenson. Camp X, their training base, was located on a 275-acre farm bordering Lake Ontario, and was a joint Anglo / American / Canadian intelligence operation. Camp X started winding down in 1944, it continued to play a role during the early years of the Cold War. A small memorial with a panoramic view of Lake Ontario marks the former location of the Camp.
Camp X Tours
(Whitby)
Intrepid Park, on Boundary Road
Join renowned author Lyn Phillip Hodgson for an hour-long tour of Camp X at 1:00 both Saturday and Sunday. Meet at the monument and explore the former top secret WWII spy training school on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Canadian Automotive Museum
(Oshawa)
99 Simcoe Street South
Oshawa, ON L1H 4G7
Housed in a 1920’s car dealership, this museum has been open since 1961 to showcase the development of the automobile. There are 65 vehicles from 1898 to 1981 and other historical items relating to the periods of the cars.
Canadian Canoe Museum
(Peterborough)
910 Monaghan Road
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 5K4
(705) 748-9153 Fax: (705) 748-0616 1-866-34-CANOE (22663)
This unique national heritage centre is housed in the former Outboard Marine Company, built in 1913, and explores the canoe’s enduring significance to the peoples of Canada. Exhibits include Inuit kayaks, birch bark and wooden canoes, West Coast cedar dugouts, as well as paddled craft from around the world. Self-guided, with guided group tours available. Open: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm . Admission $. Allow 90 minutes.
Canadian Fire Fighters Museum
(Port Hope)
95 Mill St. South Port Hope, ON
East side of the Ganaraska River, near the harbour
(905) 885-8985
The Canadian Fire Fighter’s Museum showcases the historical development of fire fighting in Canada from about 1831 to 1955, with a collection of fire fighting apparatus, motorized trucks from 1921-1956, hand-drawn and horse-drawn apparatus, fire equipment, photographs and other related materials to tell the story of fire-fighting in earlier times. Wheelchair accessible, group tours welcome. Open June 1st and September 30th daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free & by donation.
Carman Nelson Heritage Museum
(Belleville)
2003 Stockdale Road
Behind Stockdale United Church
613-398-7671
This museum houses a private collection of memorabilia and collectibles such as farm machinery, cars, a jeep, an airplane, household utensils, tools, toys and many other unique items. Open Sundays 1- 4 pm June until October or by appointment Free Admission
Catherine Parr Traill home
(Peterborough)
N side of Smith St. east of Clementi St, Lakefield
1 block north of Bridge St.
A member of the literary Strickland family (her sister is Susanna Moodie), the talented author married Lieut. Thomas Traill and emigrated to Upper Canada in 1832. For seven years they struggled unsuccessfully to establish a farm in then Ontario wilderness, but then moved to Ashburnham and Rice Lake. Her best known book, 1836 “The Backwoods of Canada” is based on her pioneering experiences. In 1862, following her husband’s death, Mrs. Traill’s daughters (she had 9 children) purchased “Westove” and she lived here the rest of her life. In her 1885 “Studies of Plant Life in Canada” and other works she proved herself a gifted botanist.
Clarington Museums & Archives
(Bowmanville)
62 Temperance Street,
Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3A8
905-623-2734 Fax : 905-623-5684
The Bowmanville Museum is in a one story 1847 Regency style cottage, which had additions built in 1861 and 1880, to bring to today’s appearance as a two story Italianate styled house. The Museum has been restored as a period home (1901-1930) reflecting the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant family. The nine rooms with late Victorian furnishings include a parlour, dining room, conservatory, master bedroom and a girl and boy bedroom. Open April to Dec, Tuesday – Sunday 11 am to 4 pm, and Jan – March by appointment. Admission $
Clarke Museum
(Bowmanville)
7086 Old Kirby School Road,
Kirby, Ontario
905-623-2734 Fax : 905-623-5684
The Clarke Museum, located on the land of Kriby’s first settler Nathanial Powers,, and the first designated heritage building in the community. See a turn-of-the-last-century blacksmith shop, early agricultural equipment, displays of agricultural tools used by our ancestors, a one room schoolhouse to showcase early pioneer life in Clarke Township. Open April to Dec, Thursday – Sunday 11 am to 4 pm, and Jan – March Thursday & Sunday 12:30 to 4 pm. Admission $.
Colonel R.S. McLaughlin Armoury
(Oshawa)
53 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, ON L1G 4R9
905-728-6199
The Ontario Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, was constituted in 1866 and moved its headquarters to Oshawa at the beginning of WWI. One of many standard Romanesque style armouries built in 1914, still houses the Officers’ Mess and displays military memorabilia. The Regiment’s named was changed to the 11th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Ontarios) in 1942 and served in the invasion of Sicility, Rome, and liberated Holland. The museum is open from Easter through 1 November on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 1 pm to 5pm. During the off-season, visitors are welcome on Wednesday evenings from 9 – 9 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm. Tours may also be made by appointment. Admission: by donation.
District Court House & Jail
(Peterborough)
470 Water St, Peterborough
E side of Spurway Place, between Brock St. and Murray St.
In 1838 the District of Colborne was established, with Peterborough designated the “district town” and the construction of a court house and jail began. At a cost of over £7000, the court house was completed in 1840 and the jail in 1842 with stone quarried from Jackson’s Park, adding to the community structures of notable size and design.
District Court House and Gaol
(Quinte)
Union Street, Picton
( south side of Union Street between between Pitt Street and Portland Street)
constructed in 1832/4 in the Greek Revival style. Hugh Macdonald was a Justice of the Peace at the time, and attended the first session in the new Court House with his son John A.. The latter Macdonald, although not yet a lawyer, successfully defended himself at the second session in the courtroom against an indictment for assault. The Goal part of the building now houses the County Archives. The two storey Greek Revival structure built between 1832 and 1834 is one of Ontario’s oldest public buildings still in use.
Dorothy’s House Museum
(Port Hope)
County Road #9 (#3632)
Garden Hill in Northumberland County
(905) 797-1170
Dorothy’s House Museum is a picturesque late 1800s Ontario Frame Cottage-style structur, restored to resemble a working man’s cottage of that period, and contains artifacts from the area. An authentic barn houses a farm tool and implement collection, and a Victorian Garden highlights the grounds. Open Victoria Day through until October. Free admission.
Government House – 1825
(Peterborough)
SE corner of Water & Simcoe Streets, Peterborough
On this site stood the 1825 Government House, the log dwelling and office of Peter Robinson, who assisted 2200 Irish immigrants in settling here by the British Government, and who’s name was given to the settlement.
Hutchison House Museum 1837
270 Brock St, K9H 2P9, Peterborough
Between Bethune St. and Stewart St.
705-743-9710 Fax: 705-740-0395
This stone house, completed in 1837, first occupied by Dr. John Hutchinson, Peterborough’s first permanent physician. A native of Kircaldy, Scotland, Hutchinson had come to Upper Canada by 1818 and practised in Rice Lake& Port Hope before moving to Peterborough in 1830. During a 1947 typhus epidemic, Dr. Hutchinson contracted typhus while attending sick immigrants and was one of thirty-three victims in Peterborough.
Since 1969 the house has been a living museum with costumed guides. Visitors can tour the house and see the 1840s doctor’s study with medical instruments, books and furnishings; the Sir Sandford Fleming room with survey equipment, Fleming’s original map of Peterborough and other memorabilia; with Special Days throughout the year. Scottish Teas are served weekend afternoons in June & September, daily afternoons during July and August.
L. M. Montgomery Society of Ontario
Durham Road 1, Leaskdale
11 kms north of Uxbridge, ON.
Mailing: PO Box 84, Leaskdale, ON, L0C 1K0
905-852-7493
The Leaskdale Manse was Lucy Maude Montgomery’s home since 1911, after she married the Presbyterian minister for this prosperous farming community. Montgomery lived at the Manse for 15 years and raised 2 sons, and she recorded her thoughts in that period in her journals. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote 11 of her 22 books here. Open Sunday afternoons in July and August. For other times, please call ahead. Admission is by donation. Tours are available by appointment.
Mariners’ Park Museum
(Quinte)
2065 County Rd 13, Milford, ON K0K 2P0
(at Mariners’ Lighthouse Park overlooking South Bay)
(613) 476-2148 ext. 2525
At the junction of County Roads 10 and 13 in the County of Prince Edward (half way between Milford and Black River). A significant marine museum in the Province of Ontario. Its mandate is the preservation and interpretation of the significant maritime history of Prince Edward County to help visitors rediscover their rich maritime heritage of early commerce. See False Duck Lighthouse, built in 1828 and is the second lighthouse ever to be built on the Great Lakes. Open 9 am to 5 pm. Daily from Canada Day to Labour Day, weekends from Victoria Day to Canada Day and weekends Labour Day to Thanksgiving
National Air Force Museum of Canada (formerly RCAF Memorial Museum)
(Trenton)
220 RCAF Road, Trenton, ON
Exit 526 south from 401 and follow signs or take Hwy 2 to RCAF Rd. at CFB Trenton.
Mailing: PO Box 1000, Stn Forces, Astra ON, K0K 3W0
Front Desk : 613-965-RCAF (7223) Fax : 613-965-7352
Base Info: (613)392-2811 1-866-701-RCAF (7223)
At Canada’s largest military transport base, for the 8th Wing, visit RCAF memorial museum to learn more about Canada’s military history through World War I and II. Watch the Halifax Bomber being restored after years under water, off the coast of Norway.
The base’s Memorial Gates were built in Great Britain, and presented by Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand as a recognition of Trenton’s Base being used as a WWII Commonwealth Air Training Base. Catch the Quinte International Air Show. Open daily May 1 – Sept 30 from 10am-5pm; and Oct 1 – Apr 30 Wed – Sun 10am – 5pm. Free Admission, donations welcomed
Oshawa Community Museum (Oshawa Sydenham Museum)
(Oshawa)
1450 Simcoe Street South
In Oshawa’s beautiful Lakeview Park.
905-436-7624 Fax: 1-905-436-7625
Three buildings, built in the 1830a ad 1840s make up the Oshawa Community Museum and Archives. Guy House and Henry House stand on their original foundations, are unique architecturally and provide an overview of the lifestyles of Oshawa’s early inhabitants.
The 1835 Guy House is a typical frame farmhouse houses museum gift shop, archives and curatorial offices. The 1849 Henry House was a Victorian home and has period decorated parlour, dining room, study, herb garden, kitchen, master bedroom, and was originally owned by Christian Church minister Thomas Henry. Robinson House, originally a simple family home, now contains a 19th century schoolroom, and galleries and exhibits focusing on various topics in Oshawa’s history.
Parkwood was the family home of Sam McLaughlin, founder of GM of Canada. One of Canada’s finest and last remaining grand estates, featuring architectural, landscape and interior designs of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Once home to auto baron R. Samuel McLaughlin and his family, mow a National Historic site. Open year round.
Pickering Museum Village
(Pickering)
One The Esplanade
Highway 7, Greenwood (10 minutes from Pickering)
905-683-8401
This 19th century historical community with costumed re-enactors demonstrating pioneer crafts in the Village of Greenwood over the summer months. Special events include Walking Through Thyme, Antique and Classic Car Show, and Pastimes of Past Times held throughout the year. Open from June to September (and special events days)June & September: Saturdays 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sundays noon to 4:30 pm and July until Labour Day: Wed to Sat 10 am to 4:30 pm, Sundays noon to 4:30 pm. Admission.
Picton Town Hall
(Quinte)
Corner of Ross & King, Picton
(613) 476-1159
Built in 1866 as a fire hall, with meeting rooms upstairs. Served as the Bijou Opera House for live travelling shows and movies. Used sporadically until work began in 1988 to restore it as a Town Hall.
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
(Oshawa)
72 Queen Street, Civic Centre
Oshawa, L1H 3Z3
905-576-3000 fax: 905-576-.9774
Café reservations: 905-576-2392
This remarkable building, designed by noted Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, houses varied collections of Canadian art including works by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, Antoine Plamondon and others. Of special local interest are works by Painters Eleven and Thomas Bouckley, and a collection of historical photographs. Gallery hours: Weekdays: 10 am – 5 pm (Thursday to 9 pm), Saturday & Sunday: 12 noon – 4 pm. Closed Victoria Day. Admission is by donation. Gallery Café & Restaurant hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30 am-3 pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday : 5 pm-10:30 pm; Sunday Closed.
Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre
(Bowmanville)
62 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, Ontario
905-623-2734 Fax : 905-623-5684
Clarington’s newest museum, in the former Bowmanville Library, houses exhibits devoted to the Dominion Organ and Piano Company (once the second largest organ and piano producer in Canada), as well as a large doll and toy collection (from the collection of Evelyn Strahlendorf, the premier collector of Canadian dolls). There are also travelling exhibits from the Royal Ontario Museum. Research facilities for our archival collection include a private research room. Open: Tuesday – Friday, 11 am to 4 pm.
Scugog Shores Historical Museum, Village & Archives
(Lindsay)
16210 Island Road, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B4
(905) 985-8698
Scugog Shores Historical Museum has displayed and interpreted artifacts and information about the history and heritage of Scugog Township since 1970.The museum features an historical village depicting the heritage of Scugog Township from 1830-1940. The museum also operates an archives. Under constant development is the unique cultural project; The Ojibway Heritage Interpretive Lands. This exhibit explores the link between nature and the early Ojibway.Open Summer daily 10 am to 4 pm; Fall/Winter Tuesdays to Fridays 1 pm to 4 pm. Tours are available, and admission is by donation. Special Event Admission: $, Evening Event admissions vary.
Simcoe Street North Heritage District
(Oshawa)
between Adelaide Avenue and Rossland Road
The area contains a park and a concentration of early 1900’s buildings, including Parkwood Estate and others with historical and architectural significance.
Sir John Alexander Macdonald Home
(Napanee)
North of Adolphustown and Dorland on the South Shore of Hay Bay
Significance: Honours the location of the family home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir. John Alexander Macdonald. From this Loyalist stronghold he was inspired to unite the colonies in a strong Dominion.
The Friends’ Meeting House on Quaker Hill
(Uxbridge)
6800 Concession Rd 6, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R1
(West side of the 6th Concession, just south of Durham Road 8)
905-852-0009
Erected in 1820, replacing an 1809 log structure on the same site. The hand-hewn timber is still in good repair today. Admission by donation. Many beautiful weddings are held in the Meeting House.
The Thomas Foster Memorial
(Uxbridge)
9499 Durham Regional Rd 1, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R2
(905) 640-3966
This Taj Mahal like memorial was built in Uxbridge by Thomas Foster a real estate developer, who was Toronto mayor, an MPP
Napanee Town Hall
124 John St, Napanee, ON K7R 1R3
(613) 354-3351
Built in 1856, it has a carefully preserved example of 19th century classic
revival architecture. Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, delivered his
last campaign speech from its balcony in 1891.
UEL Heritage Centre and Park
(Napanee)
54 Adolphustown Park Rd, Bath, ON K0H 1G0
(613) 373-2692
On June 16th 1784, Adolphustown was the site of the landing of United Empire Loyalists. Active today as the U.E.L. Heritage Centre & Park, the facility includes the U.E.L. Memorial Cemetery, a museum, the historic Adolphustown Town Hall, a 161-lot campground, picnic facilities, and Greater Napanee’s only public beach. There are interpretative displays, reproduction 18th-century bateaux (boats) and a research library. The site is open daily from May 1st to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, seven days per week. Admission is $3 per person.
Uxbridge Historical Centre (Uxbridge-Scott Museum)
(Uxbridge)
Box 1301, Uxbridge, Ontario L9P 1N5
(Concession Rd 6, 1/4 mile north of Durham Road 8)
(905)-852-5854
Victoria County Historical Society and Museum
(Lindsay)
322 Kent St W
Lindsay On, K9V 4S1
705-324-3404 fax: 705-324-1805 Toll Free: 1-866-747-2010
Preserve and showcase the rich history and heritage of Victoria County (City of Kawartha Lakes). Open since the 1950s in the old Victoria County Jail. Exhibits include the area’s history of military service, the area’s heritage, the John McRea Collection of miniature models, the history of crime & justice in the area, and the Governor’s Quarters (warden’s residence) in the jail.