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List of museums in Ontario facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list of museums in Ontario, Canada shares information about places that collect and take care of interesting objects. These places, called museums, can be about culture, art, science, or history. They let the public see their collections and special exhibits. This list also includes art galleries that are not for profit and those run by universities. However, museums that only exist online are not included here.

You can also find museums in specific cities:

Awesome Museums to Explore in Ontario

Ontario has many amazing museums! They cover all sorts of topics, from old houses and cool art to military history and science. Here's a look at some of them:

Art and Culture Museums

These museums are perfect for creative minds and those who love to see beautiful things.

Art Galleries with Amazing Collections

  • The Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston is part of Queen's University. It shows Canadian, European, Inuit, and African art.
  • The Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia has paintings by the famous Group of Seven and other important Canadian art.
  • The Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie focuses on visual art.
  • In Burlington, the Art Gallery of Burlington is a modern art center that features visual art and crafts.
  • The Art Gallery of Guelph in Guelph shows both modern and old art, crafts, and designs.
  • You can find Canadian and European artworks at the Art Gallery of Hamilton in Hamilton.
  • The Art Gallery of Mississauga highlights local artists and Canadian art.
  • The Art Gallery of Northumberland is in Cobourg.
  • In Peterborough, the Art Gallery of Peterborough focuses on Canadian art.
  • The Art Gallery of Sudbury in Sudbury showcases contemporary art.
  • Art Windsor-Essex in Windsor has important artworks by local, regional, and national artists.
  • Artcite in Windsor is a place for artists to show experimental and modern art.
  • The Artery Gallery in Kitchener is run by art students from the University of Waterloo.
  • Artspace Peterborough in Peterborough is another artist-run center for modern art.
  • The Blackwood Gallery in Mississauga is a modern art gallery that is part of the University of Toronto Mississauga.
  • The Brant Museum & Archives in Brantford has a collection of decorative and fine arts.
  • The Cambridge Centre for the Arts in Cambridge offers art programs and has a gallery.
  • Cambridge Galleries in Cambridge has exhibition spaces as part of the public library system.
  • The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo displays historic and modern Canadian ceramic, glass, and enamel art.
  • The Durham Art Gallery is located in Durham.
  • The Forest City Gallery in London is an artist-run center for visual arts, media, and performance.
  • The Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery in Markham is located in the historic home of artist Frederick Varley.
  • The Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario in Sudbury focuses on modern art by Franco-Ontarian artists.
  • The Gallery Stratford in Stratford shows art from local, national, and international artists.
  • The Georgian College Campus Gallery in Barrie is part of Georgian College.
  • The Gibson Gallery in Amherstburg is located in an old railroad station from 1896.
  • The Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant in Brantford features contemporary art.
  • The Grimsby Public Art Gallery in Grimsby shows modern artwork.
  • The Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener is a gallery in the former home of artist Homer Watson.
  • The Huronia Museum in Midland has a contemporary art gallery, along with other collections.
  • The Kanata Civic Art Gallery in Kanata shows and sells art by its members.
  • The Kawartha Art Gallery is located in Lindsay.
  • The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery focuses on modern art.
  • The Latcham Art Centre in Stouffville offers modern art and education programs.
  • The MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie mostly shows contemporary art. It even has a copy of Rodin's The Thinker outside!
  • The McIntosh Gallery in London is part of the University of Western Ontario.
  • The McMaster Museum of Art in Hamilton, part of McMaster University, has changing exhibits of historical, modern, and contemporary art.
  • The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg features paintings by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, and First Nations and Inuit artists.
  • The Modern Fuel in Kingston is an artist-run center for contemporary art.
  • The Museum London in London combines art and local history.
  • The Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur has art exhibits and collectibles.
  • The Old Mill Heritage Centre and Post Office Museum in Kagawong also includes an art gallery.
  • The Orillia Museum of Art & History in Orillia features both art and local history.
  • The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives in Brampton is a local history museum and art gallery.
  • The Princeton District Museum in Princeton has local history and art exhibits.
  • The Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre in Haliburton is located in an old rail station and shows contemporary Canadian art, crafts, and music.
  • The Reuben R. Sallows Gallery in Goderich has changing exhibits of early 20th-century photographs.
  • The RiverBrink Art Museum in Queenston is a historic house with 18th and 19th-century Canadian paintings, sculptures, and decorative art.
  • The Robert Langen Art Gallery in Waterloo, run by Wilfrid Laurier University, focuses on contemporary Canadian art.
  • The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa focuses on modern and contemporary Canadian art.
  • The Rodman Hall Art Centre in St. Catharines is part of Brock University.
  • The Rotunda Gallery in Kitchener is a city art gallery located in Kitchener City Hall.
  • The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre in St. Thomas is an art gallery.
  • The Thames Art Gallery in Chatham-Kent is an art gallery.
  • The Thunder Bay Art Gallery focuses on contemporary First Nations art.
  • The Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound has a large collection of items and works by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven.
  • The Tree Museum in Gravenhurst is an outdoor sculpture gallery.
  • The True North Gallery in Waterdown features original art by artist-musicians like David Bowie.
  • The Union Gallery in Kingston is part of Queen's University and shows contemporary art.
  • The University of Waterloo Art Galleries are part of the University of Waterloo.
  • The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is in Bowmanville.
  • The White Water Gallery in North Bay shows contemporary visual art.
  • The Woodstock Art Gallery in Woodstock has changing exhibits and a permanent display of works by Florence Carlyle.
  • The Workers Arts & Heritage Centre in Hamilton explores the art, culture, and heritage of working people in Canada.

Specialized Art and Culture Spots

  • The Cambridge Sculpture Garden in Cambridge is an outdoor garden filled with sculptures.
  • The Haliburton Sculpture Forest in Haliburton is another outdoor sculpture park.
  • The R. Tait McKenzie Memorial Museum in Mississippi Mills is located in the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area and shows the life and works of sculptor R. Tait McKenzie.
  • The Windsor Sculpture Park in Windsor is an outdoor park with sculptures.

History and Heritage Museums

These museums take you back in time to learn about how people lived, worked, and shaped Ontario.

Historic Homes and Villages

  • The Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead in St. George is the mid-19th century farm home of Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, who started the Women's Institute.
  • The Allan Macpherson House in Napanee is a Georgian-style house from around 1830, built by Napanee's first postmaster.
  • The Ameliasburgh Historical Museum in Ameliasburgh is an open-air museum with buildings and exhibits around a church built in 1868.
  • The Anderson Farm Museum in Lively is a historic 1920s farmhouse, barn, and milk house.
  • The Annandale National Historic Site in Tillsonburg is an 1880s Victorian house famous for its fancy Aesthetic art decorations.
  • The Backus-Page House Museum in Wallacetown is a mid-19th century period house.
  • The Barnum House in Grafton is a 19th-century period house.
  • The Battle Ground Hotel Museum in Niagara Falls is an 1850s hotel on land that was part of the Battle of Lundy's Lane during the War of 1812.
  • The Battlefield House in Hamilton is an 1835 period house in a park that was the site of the Battle of Stoney Creek in the War of 1812.
  • The Beaver River Museum in Beaverton includes a mid-19th century log cabin, a 1900 period house, and a jail.
  • The Bell Homestead National Historic Site in Brantford is the 1870s home of Alexander Graham Bell, where he invented the telephone.
  • The Bellevue House National Historic Site in Kingston is the late 1840s home of Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John Alexander Macdonald.
  • The Benares Historic House in Mississauga is an early 20th-century house that shows four generations of a family's life.
  • The Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site in Gravenhurst tells the story of Dr. Henry Norman Bethune.
  • The Bethune-Thompson House in Williamstown is a late 18th-century house.
  • The Billy Bishop Home and Museum in Owen Sound is the birthplace of WW I flying ace Billy Bishop. It also has artifacts from Canadians who flew in World War One and Two.
  • The Bradley Museum in Mississauga is a complex of four historic buildings.
  • The Brubacher House in Waterloo is a restored mid-19th century Pennsylvania German farmstead.
  • The Bygone Days Heritage Village in Collingwood is an open-air museum with mid-19th century village buildings.
  • Carman House Museum in Iroquois is an 1835 Loyalist house.
  • Castle Kilbride in Baden is a late 19th-century Victorian house.
  • The Chiefswood National Historic Site in Ohsweken is the mid-19th century birthplace of Pauline Johnson, a First Nations author.
  • The Clarke Museum in Kirby includes local history displays, a one-room schoolhouse, and a blacksmith shop.
  • The Coldwater Canadiana Heritage Museum in Coldwater is an open-air museum with an 1830s log cabin, a replica general store, and other historic buildings.
  • The Commanda General Store Museum in Commanda is an 1885 High Victorian store with goods from 1885 to 1934.
  • The Copper Cliff Museum in Copper Cliff is an early 20th-century log cabin mining family home.
  • The Cottonwood Mansion in Selkirk is a late 19th-century Victorian mansion.
  • The Cumberland Heritage Village in Cumberland is a recreated rural village from the 1920s-1930s.
  • Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene is a recreated 19th-century community with replica ships and historic buildings.
  • Dorothy’s House Museum in Port Hope is a 19th-century Victorian worker's cottage.
  • The Dundurn Castle in Hamilton is a 40-room 19th-century estate of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, one of Canada's first premiers.
  • The Eldon House in London is a 19th-century mansion and gardens.
  • The Erland Lee Museum in Stoney Creek is a late 19th-century Victorian home, known as the birthplace of the first Women's Institutes.
  • The Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site in Sault Ste. Marie includes a 19th-century house and a turn-of-the-20th-century blockhouse.
  • The Fairfield-Gutzeit House in Bath is a Victorian period house.
  • The Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London is a 19th-century village with over 30 original and replica buildings.
  • The Flour Mill Museum in Sudbury is an early 20th-century house and log cabin.
  • The Fulford Place in Brockville is an Edwardian era mansion.
  • The Georgina Pioneer Village & Archives in Keswick includes a log house, church, schoolhouse, and general store.
  • The Glanmore National Historic Site in Belleville is an 1890s mansion.
  • The Glengarry Pioneer Museum in Dunvegan has twelve 19th-century wooden buildings with historic tools and artifacts.
  • The Griffin House (Ancaster) in Ancaster is a 19th-century home that was part of the Underground Railroad.
  • The Haliburton Highlands Museum in Haliburton includes a local history museum, log barn, and pioneer house.
  • The Heritage House Museum in Smiths Falls is a mid-19th century Victorian home.
  • The Heritage Schoolhouse in Markham is a 19th-century schoolhouse museum.
  • The Hermitage and Gatehouse Museum in Ancaster tells the history of 19th-century house ruins.
  • The Hillary House, The Koffler Museum of Medicine in Aurora is a 19th-century house used as a doctor's office for three generations.
  • The Hoch Farm in Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards is a 1910-1920s period farmhouse.
  • The Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener is a gallery in the former home of artist Homer Watson.
  • The Homewood Museum in Maitland is a 19th-century stone house, one of Ontario’s oldest.
  • The Huron Historic Gaol in Goderich was a county jail from 1841 until 1972.
  • The Hutchison House Museum in Peterborough shows 19th-century life in Ontario.
  • The Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum in Ingersoll includes a replica 20th-century cheese factory, a barn, and a working blacksmith shop.
  • The Ireland House in Burlington is a homestead furnished to show three different periods: 1850s, 1890s, and 1920s.
  • The John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area in Harrow has an 1850s house and farm buildings.
  • The Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington is a reconstructed early 19th-century home of Joseph Brant, with local history exhibits.
  • The Kawartha Settlers' Village in Bobcaygeon has historic homes and buildings from 1830 to 1915.
  • The King Township Museum in King City is located in a historic railroad station and church.
  • The Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston is the early 19th-century home of Laura Secord, a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812.
  • The Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre in Beamsville includes an 1835 historic house and a 1908 schoolhouse.
  • The Little Claybelt Homesteaders Museum in New Liskeard shows pioneer life from the 1880s to the 1940s.
  • The Macaulay Heritage Park in Picton includes an 1850s period home and a historic church with a local history museum.
  • The Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum in Queenston is the reconstructed home of rebel publisher William Lyon Mackenzie, showing 500 years of printing technology.
  • The Maison Macdonell-Williamson House in Chute-à-Blondeau is an early 19th-century house.
  • The Marie Dressler House in Cobourg is the home of actress Marie Dressler.
  • The Mariners Park Museum in Milford has artifacts from over 50 shipwrecks in the area.
  • The Markham Museum in Markham is an open-air museum with houses, barns, a train station, and other historic buildings.
  • The Mather-Walls House in Kenora is a turn-of-the-20th-century period house.
  • The McCrae House in Guelph is the late 19th-century home of poet John McCrae.
  • The McDougall Cottage in Waterloo is a mid-19th-century Scottish laborer's home.
  • The McFarland House (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario) in Niagara-on-the-Lake is an early 19th-century period house.
  • The Milner Heritage House in Chatham-Kent shows the lifestyle of a successful industrialist family from the turn of the 20th century.
  • The Minden Hills Cultural Centre in Minden Hills includes the Minden Hills Museum with historic buildings like a schoolhouse and pioneer log home.
  • The Myrtleville House Museum in Brantford is a restored 1837 homestead with furnishings from 140 years of family life.
  • The Niagara Apothecary in Niagara-on-the-Lake is a restored 1869 pharmacy.
  • The Norfolk County Archives & Eva Brook Donly Museum in Simcoe is a Victorian period house with local art and history.
  • The Norwich and District Museum in Norwich is an open-air museum with an 1889 Quaker Meeting House, a blacksmith shop, and an 1830s farmhouse.
  • The O'Hara Mill Homestead in Madoc includes a 19th-century saw mill, an 1850 period house, and other historic buildings.
  • The Oak Hall in Niagara Falls is a mansion where you can see restored reception areas and a collection of Niagara Falls art.
  • The Old Brittania Schoolhouse in Mississauga is a 19th-century one-room schoolhouse.
  • The Oshawa Museum in Oshawa includes the late 19th-century Victorian Henry House and local history exhibits.
  • The Parkwood Estate in Oshawa is an early 20th-century mansion and gardens.
  • The Park House Museum in Amherstburg is an 1850s period house with local history exhibits.
  • The Petawawa Heritage Village in Petawawa is a mid-19th century rural Ontario village.
  • The Pickering Museum Village in Pickering is a 19th-century village.
  • The Pinhey's Point Historic Site in Dunrobin is a 19th-century estate home and park.
  • The Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum in Port Colborne is an open-air museum with historic houses, a blacksmith shop, and a lighthouse.
  • The Proctor House Museum is in Brighton.
  • The Rose House Museum in Waupoos is an early 19th-century house with furnishings from five generations.
  • The Ruthven Park National Historic Site in Cayuga is a 19th-century mansion estate.
  • The Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland is a recreated 17th-century French Jesuit mission headquarters and Wendat Huron village.
  • The Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre in Bowmanville has exhibits about the Dominion Organ and Piano Company and a large doll and toy collection.
  • The Schneider Haus in Kitchener is an early 19th-century period homestead.
  • The Scugog Shores Museum in Port Perry is an open-air museum with a mid-to-late 19th century village and Ojibway Heritage Interpretive Lands.
  • The Sharon Temple National Historic Site in Sharon tells the story of the Children of Peace and early settlers. It includes the Sharon Temple (1825–1832) and other historic buildings.
  • The Sibbald Point Provincial Park in Sutton features the Sibbald Memorial Museum, a historic house and local history museum.
  • The Sifton-Cook Heritage Centre in Cobourg tells Cobourg's history with changing exhibits and an outdoor model railway.
  • The Sir John Johnson Manor House in Williamstown is the late 18th-century home of Sir John Johnson, 2nd Baronet.
  • The Sombra Museum Cultural Centre in Sombra includes a Victorian period home and log cabin.
  • The Sovereign House in Bronte is a 19th-century period house.
  • The St. Joseph Island Museum in St. Joseph Island is an open-air complex with a log cabin, church, school, and barn.
  • The Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia is the summer home of author and humorist Stephen Leacock.
  • The Thomas House (Oakville, Ontario) in Oakville is an 1830-1840s period pioneer home.
  • The Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site in Dresden includes the home of Josiah Henson, whose life inspired the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin.
  • The United Empire Loyalist Heritage Centre in Adolphustown tells the history of the United Empire Loyalist settlers.
  • The Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg is an 1860s period village with over 40 buildings.
  • The Uxbridge Historical Centre in Uxbridge focuses on local history.
  • The Waba Cottage Museum and Gardens in White Lake has belongings of Archibald McNab, the founder of McNab Township, and a historic log church and schoolhouse.
  • The Waverley Place in Bowmanville is a 1900-1930 period home showing the lifestyle of a wealthy merchant family.
  • The Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton has over 30 historic buildings on a large site.
  • The Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum in Vandorf includes an 1880s period farmhouse, a 19th-century schoolhouse, and a log cabin.
  • The Whitehern Historic House and Garden in Hamilton is a mid-19th century urban estate.
  • The Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost & Historic House in Wilberforce is the site of the first Red Cross Outpost Hospital in Ontario.
  • The Woodchester Villa in Bracebridge is a late 19th-century octagon house with local history exhibits.
  • The Woodside National Historic Site in Kitchener is the 1890s childhood home of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Local and Regional History Museums

  • The 1000 Islands History Museum in Gananoque covers local cultural and natural history, including the 1000 Islands ecosystem and early settlers.
  • The Arnprior & District Museum in Arnprior focuses on local history.
  • The Assiginack Museum Complex in Assiginack is an open-air museum with buildings like a town lock-up, pioneer home, and a steam-powered ferry museum ship.
  • The Atikokan Centennial Museum in Atikokan has a collection of logging, mining, and railroad equipment.
  • The Aurora Museum & Archives tells the history and stories of the Town of Aurora.
  • The Aylmer & District Museum in Aylmer preserves local artifacts and histories.
  • The Bancroft North Hastings Heritage Museum is in Bancroft.
  • The Bath Museum in Bath focuses on local history.
  • The Beachville and District Museum in Beachville includes Victorian period room displays and agriculture equipment.
  • The Brockville Museum is in Brockville.
  • The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton has exhibits on local history, natural history, maritime, and First Nations.
  • The Bruce Mines Museum is in Bruce Mines.
  • The Callander Bay Heritage Museum in Callander is located in the home of Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, who cared for the Dionne quintuplets. It includes period doctor's office displays and local history.
  • The Cannington Historical Museum in Cannington is an open-air museum with log houses, a railway station, and a blacksmith shop.
  • The Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum in Carleton Place focuses on local history and culture.
  • The Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah is in Sheguiandah.
  • The Central Manitoulin Pioneer Museum in Mindemoya includes a log home, blacksmith shop, and farm equipment.
  • The Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village in Pembroke is an open-air museum.
  • The Chapleau Centennial Museum in Chapleau features local artifacts, a steam locomotive, and models of local landmarks.
  • The Chapple Museum in Chapple focuses on local history.
  • The Chatham-Kent Museum in Chatham-Kent has local history, including artifacts from the War of 1812 and a mummy.
  • The Chesterville Heritage Centre in Chesterville focuses on local history.
  • The Christ Church Community Museum in Lakefield covers local history.
  • The City of Waterloo Museum in Waterloo focuses on local history.
  • The Cloyne & District Historical Society Pioneer Museum in Cloyne has historic artifacts like tools, clothing, and household effects.
  • The Collingwood Museum in Collingwood covers local history, including pioneer life and logging.
  • The Comber & District Historical Society Museum in Lakeshore focuses on local history.
  • The Cornwall Community Museum in Cornwall focuses on local history.
  • The Craigleith Heritage Depot in Blue Mountains is a local history and information center.
  • The Delhi Tobacco Museum and Heritage Centre in Delhi includes the agricultural and cultural development of the area.
  • The Discovery North Bay in North Bay (formerly the North Bay Area Museum) focuses on local history.
  • The Donald Hughes Annex Museum in Ailsa Craig focuses on local history.
  • The Doon Heritage Village in Kitchener shows rural life in 1914.
  • The Dorset Heritage Museum in Dorset covers local history, pioneer life, and logging.
  • The Dryden & District Museum in Dryden has artifacts related to the history of the Dryden area.
  • The Duke Hunt Museum in Thunder Bay (originally the Paipoonge Museum) shows early settler household artifacts and community life.
  • The Dundas Museum and Archives in Dundas focuses on local history.
  • The Ear Falls Museum in Ear Falls covers the area's aboriginal peoples, gold mining, and lumbering.
  • The Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre in Cayuga includes an original 1857 jail cell and gypsum mining exhibits.
  • The Elgin County Museum in St. Thomas promotes Elgin County’s historical and agricultural heritage.
  • The Elman W. Campbell Museum in Newmarket offers educational activities about local history.
  • The Englehart & Area Museum in Englehart focuses on local history and art.
  • The Fairfield Museum in Thamesville focuses on local history.
  • The Forest-Lambton Museum in Forest has 1890s period rooms, local history, and military displays.
  • The Fort Erie Historical Museum in Ridgeway is housed in the 1874 Bertie Township Hall.
  • The Fort Frances Museum in Fort Frances includes natural history, First Nations, fur traders, and forest industry exhibits.
  • The Founders' Museum & Pioneer Village in Thunder Bay is a pioneer village with buildings from different periods.
  • The Franco-Ontarian Folklore Centre in Sudbury showcases the trades and traditions of pioneers and the heritage of Franco-Ontarian settlers.
  • The Frontenac County Schools Museum in Kingston is a one-room rural schoolhouse from the 1900-1930 era.
  • The Gore Bay Museum in Gore Bay focuses on local history and art.
  • The Goulbourn Museum in Stittsville covers 19th and 20th-century rural township life.
  • The Grey Roots Museum and Archives in Georgian Bluffs has local history exhibits and an open-air heritage village in summer.
  • The Grimsby Museum in Grimsby has traveling exhibitions and local artifacts.
  • The Guelph Civic Museum in Guelph covers local and natural history.
  • The Haileybury Heritage Museum in Haileybury includes a streetcar, fire pumper, and tugboat.
  • The Haldimand County Museum & Archives in Cayuga focuses on local history.
  • The Halton Region Museum in Milton focuses on local history.
  • The Hermitage and Gatehouse Museum in Ancaster tells the history of 19th-century house ruins.
  • The Huron County Museum in Goderich has exhibits on furniture, agriculture, the salt industry, and local art.
  • The Huronia Museum in Midland includes local history and maritime exhibits.
  • The Hymers Museum in Kakabeka Falls covers local history and early settlers, including mining, logging, and farming.
  • The Ignace Tourist and Information Centre in Ignace (also known as the Dennis Smyk Heritage Centre) features the history of the area.
  • The Iron Bridge Historical Museum is in Iron Bridge.
  • The Iroquois Falls Pioneer Museum is in Iroquois Falls.
  • The Keith M. Boyd Museum in Russell is operated by the Russell Historical Society.
  • The Killarney Museum is in Killarney.
  • The Lake of the Woods Museum in Kenora covers First Nations, fur traders, pioneer life, and local industries.
  • The Lambton Heritage Museum in Lambton has local history, pressed glass, agriculture equipment, and a pioneer home.
  • The Lanark and District Museum is in Lanark.
  • The Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives in Napanee focuses on local history.
  • The Little Schoolhouse and Museum in South Baymouth has local history and one-room school exhibits.
  • The Lucan Area Heritage & Donnelly Museum in Lucan features early settlers and the infamous Donnelly tragedy.
  • The Lynde House Museum and Warren General Store in Whitby focuses on gardens and local history.
  • The Maidstone Bicentennial Museum in Lakeshore includes WW1 Naval and Army artifacts, and exhibits on Rum Running and the War of 1812.
  • The Marathon District Museum is in Marathon.
  • The Maryboro Lodge in Fenelon Falls (also known as the Fenelon Museum) focuses on local history.
  • The Massey Area Museum in Massey includes a general store display, First Nations artifacts, and exhibits on lumbering, farming, and mining.
  • The Mattawa Museum in Mattawa is operated by the Mattawa and District Historical Society.
  • The McDougall Mill Museum in Renfrew is located in a former stone grist mill and focuses on local history.
  • The Meaford Museum in Meaford focuses on local history.
  • The Middleville and District Museum in Middleville is located in an 1860s stone schoolhouse.
  • The Mission House Museum & Gallery in Combermere covers local history and art.
  • The Moore Museum in Mooretown includes local history exhibits, a church, school, and railroad station.
  • The Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling features artifacts and history of Muskoka District.
  • The Niagara Falls History Museum in Niagara Falls (formerly the Lundy's Lane Historical Museum) features exhibits on the War of 1812.
  • The Niagara Historical Museum in Niagara-on-the-Lake focuses on local history.
  • The Nipissing Township Museum in Nipissing includes pioneer artifacts and reconstructed homes.
  • The North Huron Museum in Wingham focuses on local history.
  • The North Lanark Regional Museum in Appleton includes replicas of a country store and a pioneer log cabin.
  • The Nor'Westers and Loyalist Museum in Williamstown tells the story of Sir John Johnson and Loyalist settlers.
  • The Oakville Museum in Oakville has local history exhibits.
  • The Olde Gaol Museum in Lindsay covers local and Canadian history in a jail building from the 1860s.
  • The Ontario Provincial Police Museum in Orillia tells the history of the Ontario Provincial Police.
  • The Orillia Museum of Art & History in Orillia covers art and local history.
  • The Oshawa Museum in Oshawa includes local history exhibits.
  • The Osgoode Township Museum in Osgood Township focuses on local history.
  • The Owen Sound Community Waterfront Heritage Centre in Owen Sound focuses on the area's maritime, rail, and industrial past.
  • The Paddy Walker House in Kincardine focuses on local history.
  • The Paris Museum and Historical Society in Paris archives the heritage of Paris, Ontario.
  • The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives in Brampton is a local history museum and art gallery.
  • The Pelee Island Heritage Centre in Pelee Island covers local and natural history.
  • The Penetanguishene Centennial Museum in Penetanguishene focuses on local history.
  • The Perth Museum (Matheson House) in Perth includes four 19th-century period rooms.
  • The Peterborough Museum & Archives in Peterborough focuses on the history of the Peterborough area.
  • The Princeton District Museum in Princeton has local history and art exhibits.
  • The Prince Township Museum in Prince focuses on local history.
  • The Rainy River District Women's Institute Museum in Emo covers local history and pioneer life.
  • The Raisin River Heritage Centre in St. Andrews is operated by the Cornwall Township Historical Society.
  • The Rayside-Balfour Museum in Azilda covers local history, agriculture, and culture.
  • The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre in Red Lake has themes including Aboriginal history, gold mining, and fur trade.
  • The Richmond Hill Heritage Centre in Richmond Hill has exhibits in an 1840s period cottage.
  • The Rideau District Museum in Westport focuses on local history.
  • The Ridge House Museum in Ridgetown is an 1875 period historic house.
  • The Ross Museum in Whitewater Region includes period room and business displays.
  • The Rydal Bank Community Hall and Church in Plummer Additional focuses on local history.
  • The Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre in Bowmanville has exhibits about the Dominion Organ and Piano Company and a large doll and toy collection.
  • The Sault Ste. Marie Museum in Sault Ste. Marie focuses on local history.
  • The School House Museum in Deep River tells the history of Laurentian Hills.
  • The Serbian Heritage Museum in Windsor features artifacts from Serbia and the Serbian community in the region.
  • The Sheffield Park Black History & Cultural Museum in Clarksburg focuses on early Black pioneer families.
  • The Simcoe County Museum in Minesing covers local history and culture, including a church and schoolhouse.
  • The Sioux Lookout Museum in Sioux Lookout is located on the second floor of the Sioux Lookout Heritage Railway Station.
  • The South Grey Museum in Flesherton focuses on local history.
  • The St. Marys Museum in St. Marys focuses on local history.
  • The Stanhope Heritage Discovery Museum in Stanhope features pioneer history and artifacts.
  • The Stratford Perth Museum in Stratford focuses on local history.
  • The Sturgeon River House Museum in Sturgeon Falls includes exhibits on fur trading, pioneers, and a blacksmith shop.
  • The Teeterville Pioneer Museum in Teeterville includes a log house, smoke house, and wayside church.
  • The Thamesville Old Town Hall Museum in Thamesville focuses on local history.
  • The Thelma Miles Historical Museum in Matheson focuses on local history.
  • The Thorold Museum in Thorold focuses on local history and features the Lock 7 Viewing Centre.
  • The Thunder Bay Historical Museum in Thunder Bay focuses on local history.
  • The Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre in Timmins covers local history and art, including a recreated 1930s miner's home.
  • The Treasure Chest Museum in Paisley has antiques and collectibles.
  • The Tweed and Area Heritage Centre in Tweed focuses on local history.
  • The Vankleek Hill Museum in Vankleek Hill is operated by the Vankleek Hill & District Historical Society.
  • The Wallaceburg Museum in Wallaceburg focuses on local history.
  • The Waterford Heritage & Agricultural Museum in Waterford covers the social history of Waterford and Norfolk County agriculture.
  • The Waterloo Region Museum in Kitchener covers regional history and culture, including First Nations peoples and European settlement.
  • The Welland Historical Museum in Welland is located in a former Carnegie library building.
  • The Wellington County Museum and Archives in Fergus covers local history, decorative arts, and art.
  • The Wellington Heritage Museum in Wellington focuses on local history.
  • The West Parry Sound District Museum in Parry Sound (also known as Museum on Tower Hill) covers local history, including trapping, First Nations, and logging.
  • The Willoughby Historical Museum in Niagara Falls tells the history of the community of Willoughby.
  • The Wilno Heritage Park in Wilno includes the Polish Kashub Heritage Museum & Skansen, focusing on Kashubian and Polish heritage.
  • The Windsor's Community Museum in Windsor is located in the François Baby House and features artifacts important to the history of Windsor and Essex County.
  • The Woodstock Museum in Woodstock focuses on local history.

African American History Museums

First Nations Museums

  • The Crawford Lake Conservation Area in Campbellville features a reconstructed 15th-century Iroquoian village.
  • The Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung in Stratton has exhibits about the culture of the Ojibway people and tours of Manitou mounds.
  • The Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin in Golden Lake (also known as The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre) celebrates the heritage of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation.
  • The Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview focuses on the history and spiritual meaning of the park's petroglyphs.
  • The Ronathahon:ni Cultural Centre in Akwesasne is managed by Native North American Traveling College and covers the culture and history of the Mohawk Nation.
  • The Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum in Mount Brydges is a recreated longhouse village from 1,000 years ago with archaeological artifacts.
  • The Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford covers the history, culture, and art of the Anishinaabe and Onkwehon:we peoples.

Science and Technology Museums

Discover how things work and learn about the natural world at these exciting museums.

Natural History and Science Centers

Industry and Technology Museums

  • The Bothwell-Zone Oil Museum in Bothwell showcases oil industry equipment.
  • The Canadian Drilling Rig Museum in Rainham Centre tells the history of early natural gas fields.
  • The Canadian Firefighters Museum in Port Hope includes vehicles, fire hydrants, and firefighting tools.
  • The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology in Hamilton is a 19th-century waterworks pumping station with huge steam engines.
  • The Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs has petroleum industry artifacts and is the site of the first commercial oil well in North America.
  • The Old Stone Mill in Delta is an 1810 stone grist mill with a Museum of Industrial Technology.
  • The Petrolia Discovery in Petrolia shows the early days of the petroleum industry boom.
  • The Pump House Steam Museum in Kingston is a former water pumping station with exhibits on engines and railroads.
  • The Society for the Preservation of Canada's Nuclear Heritage in Deep River covers Canadian nuclear history, including research, CANDU reactors, and medical applications.
  • The St. Jacobs Mill in St. Jacobs includes a Maple Syrup Museum, a Quilt Gallery, and exhibits on electricity and model trains.
  • The Watson's Mill in Manotick is a 19th-century flour grist mill.

Transportation and Military Museums

Explore planes, trains, and automobiles, or learn about Canada's military history.

Aviation Museums

Railway and Other Transport Museums

  • The Caledonia Grand Trunk Station in Caledonia features local railway artifacts and a model train.
  • The Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa features mostly Canadian-made cars and automotive history.
  • The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough has a canoe collection and shows how the canoe is important to Canadian identity.
  • The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village in Kingsville includes a village with heritage buildings and a museum with antique cars and trucks.
  • The Chatham Railroad Museum in Chatham-Kent has early railroad equipment inside a baggage car.
  • The Cochrane Railway and Pioneer Museum in Cochrane includes railroad and local history exhibits.
  • The Fort Erie Railroad Museum in Ridgeway features a steam engine, historic railway station, and railroad history.
  • The Forwarders' Museum in Prescott tells the history of moving goods before the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
  • The Halton County Radial Railway in Milton includes electric streetcars and other railway vehicles.
  • The Horseless Carriage Museum in Fenelon Falls has early automobiles, trucks, and engines.
  • The Komoka Railway Museum in Komoka is housed in a 19th-century Canadian National Railway station.
  • The Lockmaster's House Museum in Chaffey's Lock has local history and Rideau Canal exhibits.
  • The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston has exhibits on shipbuilding, shipping, and the Great Lakes. It also has the museum ship CCGS Alexander Henry.
  • The Mississagi Lighthouse in Little Current focuses on maritime history.
  • The Morningstar Mill in St. Catharines is an open-air museum with a working historic grist mill and other buildings.
  • The Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst covers the history of area steamships, wooden boats, and luxury hotels.
  • The Nancy Island Historic Site in Wasaga Beach includes artifacts from the 18th-century schooner HMS Nancy and exhibits on the War of 1812.
  • The Net Shed Museum in Meldrum Bay covers seafaring and fishing history.
  • The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum in Capreol has railroad cars, equipment, and artifacts.
  • The Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum in Palmerston focuses on railroad history.
  • The Peterborough Lift Lock in Peterborough shows the construction and workings of the Trent Canal.
  • The Port Burwell Marine Museum and Historic Lighthouse in Port Burwell covers lighthouse, maritime, and shipbuilding history.
  • The Port Dover Harbour Museum in Port Dover focuses on the local fishing industry, shipping, and shipwrecks.
  • The Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Brighton includes the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.
  • The Railcar Museum in Moosonee focuses on history.
  • The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario in Smiths Falls has a historic railway station with locomotives and cars.
  • The Rainy River Railroad Heritage Museum in Rainy River has exhibits inside a restored railway passenger car.
  • The Ron Morel Memorial Museum in Kapuskasing is housed in a steam locomotive and passenger cars, with railroad artifacts.
  • The School On Wheels Railcar Museum in Clinton is a historic school car that brought education to children in the region.
  • The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site has a visitor center and tours of the canal locks.
  • The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre in St. Catharines covers the city's history, the Welland Canal, and the Underground Railroad.

Military Museums

Sports and Entertainment Museums

For sports fans and movie buffs, these museums offer a fun look at famous figures and achievements.

  • The Barn Dance Historical Society Entertainment Museum in Wingham is inside the North Huron Museum and covers the history of the barn dance radio show.
  • The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound celebrates the ice hockey history and memorabilia of Bobby Orr.
  • The Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition in Brantford has photographs and memorabilia of area sports figures, including Wayne Gretzky.
  • The Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in Vaughan celebrates the achievements of top Canadian Footballers.
  • The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys highlights great players and accomplishments in Canadian baseball.
  • The Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton celebrates great achievements in Canadian football.
  • The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in Oakville covers Canada's golf heritage.
  • The Guinness World Records museum in Niagara Falls is an amusement museum.
  • The Highlands Cinemas and Movie Museum in Kinmount is a movie theater and museum about movies and projectors.
  • The Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars in Niagara Falls focuses on entertainment history.
  • The Museum of Northern History in Kirkland Lake (at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau) has exhibits on the inner workings of some of Canada's richest mines.
  • The Naismith Museum in Almonte tells the life story of basketball inventor James Naismith.
  • The Niagara Scouting Museum in Niagara Falls has a display of badges, uniforms, and other items related to Scouting.
  • The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in Thunder Bay celebrates the sports heritage of Northwestern Ontario.
  • The Original Hockey Hall of Fame in Kingston covers the history of ice hockey.
  • The Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum in Niagara Falls is an amusement museum.
  • The Rock Legends Wax Museum in Niagara Falls is a wax museum.
  • The Youngtown Rock N Roll Museum in Omemee celebrates music from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, with a large collection of Neil Young and Beatles memorabilia.

Other Unique Museums

  • The Bala's Museum in Bala focuses on the life of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote Anne of Green Gables.
  • The Banting House National Historic Site in London tells the life story of Sir Frederick Banting, who helped discover insulin.
  • The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in London honors Canadians who have helped understand diseases and improve health.
  • The Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River covers the heritage of Canada's clock manufacturers.
  • The Fashion History Museum in Cambridge has 10,000 historical garments and accessories from the mid-18th century to today.
  • The Museum of Health Care in Kingston covers nursing and the history of health care.
  • The Museum of Temporary Art in Victoria Road is a museum of imagination, with collage, painting, and found object art.
  • The Niagara Children's Museum in Niagara Falls offers activities for children's imaginations.
  • The Louis Tussaud's Waxworks in Niagara Falls has full-size wax figures of celebrities and historical figures.
  • The Canadian Museum of Indian Civilization in Richmond Hill focuses on the essence of Hinduism in North America.
  • The Lithuanian Museum-Archives of Canada in Mississauga collects and preserves materials related to the lives and culture of Lithuanians in Canada.
  • The Windsor Wood Carving Museum in Windsor displays carved wood art.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Some museums in Ontario have closed their doors over the years. Here are a few:

Images for kids

See also

kids search engine
List of museums in Ontario Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.