Collingwood, ON [01 May 2026] – Join Collingwood Museum Staff for May is Museum Month, a month-long celebration recognizing the vital role museums play in preserving heritage, fostering dialogue, and strengthening community connections. The celebration begins with a proclamation from the Town of Collingwood, highlighting the importance of museums and their ongoing contributions to cultural life in Collingwood.
Recreation & Culture Passport Program
Stamp your way through May and June! Celebrate Museum Month and Parks and Recreation Month in June with the Culture & Recreation Explorer Passport Program. Visit all four featured locations and collect a stamp at each stop between May 5 and June 25. Once you’ve gathered all four stamps, submit your completed passport by June 25 for a chance to win a prize. Passports may be picked up at the Collingwood Museum, Centennial Aquatic Centre, Central Park Arena, and the Collingwood Public Library.
Free admission and new exhibits on May 16
The Collingwood Museum will observe International Museum Day early on May 16 to coincide with normal hours of operation. Local residents and visitors are invited to enjoy free admission from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering the perfect opportunity to explore the Museum’s newest exhibits and discover the stories that shape our shared past. Drop by for a free Hands for Heritage activity. Participants are invited to colour a hand and add it to our community display board, celebrating the many hands that make our community great while also showing support for the heritage organizations that keep our local history alive.
Don’t miss our newest exhibit featuring artifacts collected by the Collingwood Museum’s predecessor, the Huron Institute, between 1904 and 1963. This display examines the legacy of colonial collecting practices while sharing the histories behind the objects and encouraging dialogue around cultural connection, shared stewardship, and evolving relationships with heritage. This new installation will be on display beginning May 16.
Select photographs from the Ursula Heller Photograph Collection are also on display. In 1978, Ursula was granted rare access to the Collingwood Shipyards during a pivotal moment in Canadian shipbuilding. Her images of the shipyard provide rare, behind-the-scenes perspectives that offer a deeper understanding of this defining local industry. Welcomed into workers’ homes, she also captured personal moments and stories that reveal the strength and pride of local shipbuilding families. Visit the Museum to learn how you can help bring this photograph collection home to Collingwood.
Clock tower illumination
In recognition of International Museum Day on Monday, May 18, look up to see the Town Hall clock and the Museum’s iconic tower illuminated in purple, a tribute to the important role museums play worldwide.
Join us throughout May and beyond to celebrate Museum Month and discover the stories, collections, and experiences that connect our community. Learn more about upcoming events and programs on the Museum’s webpage www.collingwood.ca/museum. The Collingwood Museum is located at 45 St. Paul Street
