Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC)

Celebrating the Marine, Rail and Industrial Heritage of Owen Sound, Ontario

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Hours

The museum will be closed until off-season hours begin on October 24.

Adults: $5. Children (up to 11 years old): Free

Entry is free for anyone with an OPEN Card.

Notices and Announcements:

Fall Hours

Our regular season has now ended. Off-season hours (Fri 12-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm) begin on October 24th.

PA Day Programs

Don’t miss our October 24th PA Day Painting Program! Come to the museum to paint your own magnet or Ancaster model!

Last Updated on October 12th, 2025

Community Waterfront Heritage Centre
1155 1st Ave W,Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8

Call Us: 519-371-3333
Email: info@waterfrontheritage.ca

CWHC is a registered charity:
# 839177177 RR0001

CWHC is a member of the Ontario Museum Association and the Ontario Historical Society.

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Chi-Cheemaun Return

The Chi-Cheemaun is coming back to Owen Sound for the winter on October 27th!

🕙 We’ll be open from 12pm–5pm to welcome the ferry back into the harbour!

⛴️ The ‘Big Canoe’ is expected to arrive around 4pm

🎟️ Entry will be by donation for the day

👋 Join us in greeting this iconic sight back into Owen Sound

PA Day Programs

Join us at the CWHC for the October 24th and November 21st PA Days for magnets and models!

📅Oct 24: Magnet Painting | Nov 21: Model Building

🕙 10am–4pm

📧 Email info@waterfrontheritage.ca to learn more.

Silent Movie Night

Come to the museum for a classic film!

📅 November 7

🕙 Doors open at 5:30pm | Movie starts at 6:00pm

🎬 Buster Keaton’s “The General”

🎟️ Entry by Donation

🍿 Bring your favourite movie snacks or get them at the museum!

Adopt an Artifact

Show your support for local heritage by adopting an artifact today!

Pick your favorite artifact at the museum and “adopt” it at the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum tier.

Platinum: $100

Gold: $75

Silver: $50

Bronze: $25

When you adopt an artifact, you’ll get an adoption certificate, and your support for the museum will be displayed next to the artifact in our galleries. Platinum-tier adopters will also have thei names added to our list of Heritage Heroes!

Email curator@waterfrontheritage.ca to learn more.

About CWHC

Learn all about the Community Waterfront Hertitage Centre

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre celebrates and preserves Owen Sound’s heritage on the waterfront. It focuses on the marine, rail and industrial history of the City and surrounding communities.

Our Vision

The CWHC enlivens community connections and experiences through sharing collective stories.

Our Mission

The CWHC honours the legacy of “The Waterfront” community hub by sharing stories, presenting fun and educational experiences and offering unique opportunities to explore the curiosity of area residents and connect the imagination of visitors to our collective history.

Our History

The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre is located in the historic CN Rail Station, on Owen Sound’s harbourfront. The Marine Rail Heritage Centre was first established in 1978 by a volunteer group of history enthusiasts who wanted to preserve and expand upon Owen Sound’s history as a thriving port. It preserves the area’s marine, rail and industrial history. It opened to the public in 1985.

On June 28, 2014, the Centre officially opened under new management. We hope you will visit us regularly, whether in person or virtually.

Housed in a former Canadian National Railway Station, the museum features artifacts, scale models, archival photos and interactive stations. It also showcases exquisite ship models made by skilled artisans, along with CNR and CPR memorabilia. Each season, it hosts temporary special exhibits. The former CN station is now listed on the city’s Heritage Register.

Ask to see the working model railroad, or if you’re there at 12 or 5 p.m. enjoy the sound of the historic Kennedy Foundry Whistle.