Canadian Canoe Museum Begins the Historic Move of Over 600 Watercraft and Artifacts

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) is preparing to relocate its entire collection from its current landlocked location to a new waterfront campus across the City; inviting the public to support through new fundraising campaign ‘Move the Collection: The Final Portage.’

photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum, facebook.

The campaign is led by avid paddling enthusiasts and local community leaders Mike Judson and Neil Morton. As a symbolic gesture of the forthcoming move of the entire collection, the two will portage a symbolic canoe throughout Peterborough, from the current museum to its new 65,000-square-foot home for the campaign's duration, which will release videos at different milestones.

The CCM’s collection consists of more than 600 canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft (ranging up to 53’ long and weighing up to 1,500 pounds), hundreds of small artifacts and a library and archive. The collection was declared a cultural asset of national significance by the Senate in 2013.

The CCM has spent more than two years carefully preparing the collection for its upcoming relocation, cleaning and packing each artifact to ensure the utmost care during the move. The Museum has been temporarily closed since September 2022 to allow staff to remove artifacts on exhibit for the past two decades. When the new museum opens, it will also feature new exhibits, promising an enhanced and immersive visitor experience, including canoes and kayaks that have never been on public display.

McWilliams Moving and Storage has partnered with the CCM as its official mover of the collection.

“McWilliams Moving and Storage has been part of the CCM family since its inception with the first portage of museum artifacts from Dorset, Ontario, to Peterborough over two decades ago. We are honoured to continue this tradition as the Official Movers of the CCM and complete the final portage to a new architectural and cultural landmark in the city of Peterborough,” says Dan McWilliams, president of McWilliams Moving & Storage. “Having the opportunity to pack and transport these pieces of Canadian heritage allows us to be part of the journey and story of this national icon in our great City.”

As part of The Final Portage campaign, the CCM is releasing a series of videos and behind-the-scenes content this summer and fall featuring Mike Judson and Neil Morton portaging an iconic red canvas canoe past recognizable landmarks in Peterborough.

This will allow the public to follow the fundraising campaign’s progress while building excitement for the Museum’s reopening, anticipated this fall. To view the first video, visit the Canadian Canoe Museum website.

“Moving a collection of this size and scale in the span of months is no small feat for our team and supporters,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director of the CCM. “This move represents a pivotal moment in our museum's history. By relocating to the waterfront, we will not only enhance the accessibility and visibility of this extraordinary collection but also create a transformative experience for our visitors. We are inviting donors and sponsors to be a part of this monumental move and help us bring the legacy of paddled watercraft to a wider audience.”

“Canoeing is one of my great passions in life, and seeing this national treasure move to the water’s edge in this community I adore is a dream,” says Neil Morton, one of the campaign's Lead Portagers. “It’s fantastic to be a part of The Final Portage campaign and this historic moment with my fellow Lead Portager Mike Judson as we help carry this to the finish line!”

Surrounded by public parks, the Museum’s new home is located on a five-acre site at 2077 Ashburnham Drive that provides west-facing views of Little Lake and a connection to the Trans Canada Trail along the water’s edge in Peterborough. The purpose-built facility on the water, with an array of indoor and outdoor spaces, will allow the Museum to deliver on its mission in inspiring new ways. It will become a community space for outdoor activities, including the Museum’s canoeing and outdoor programs and events.

“Supporting initiatives like the Museum's historic move is an investment in preserving our shared heritage and cultural legacy. By contributing to this endeavour, we actively steward invaluable artifacts and ensure their accessibility to future generations,” continues Hyslop. “Institutions like ours serve as gateways to knowledge, inspiration, and understanding, and it is through your support that we enable the continued celebration and exploration of our collective history.”

The CCM invites donors and sponsors to join them in preserving history and shaping the future by supporting the campaign. Contributions will play a vital role in ensuring the safe and successful relocation of the world's largest and most significant collection of paddled watercraft.

Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Rose Terry, philanthropy associate, via email.

To donate to the Canadian Canoe Museum, visit the link.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Granted Viceregal Patronage By Governor General Of Canada

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) announce that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, has granted Viceregal Patronage to the Museum.

File Photo.

The granting of viceregal patronage is a longstanding tradition, with governors general granting support through patronage to recognize exceptional contributions to Canadian society. Her Excellency was sworn in on July 26, 2021, as Canada's first Indigenous Governor General and has focused her efforts on reconciliation.

The Canadian Canoe Museum, located on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations in Peterborough, Ontario, stewards the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft. The CCM is currently building the collection, declared a cultural asset of national significance by the Senate, a new home on the waterfront of Little Lake in Peterborough.

As part of the exhibit design and development process, the Museum has invited Indigenous peoples to share their stories in their own voices. The CCM is reconnecting the watercraft to their Indigenous communities of origin, and has developed a collaborative relations process to work together to care for the canoes and share the cultural histories and stories held within the collection.

"We believe that as sites of cultural and historical preservation, museums play a key role in shaping our understanding of our past and collective future," said executive director Carolyn Hyslop. "Indigenous peoples around the world designed, built, and used the first canoes and kayaks. These vessels retain their enduring connection to Indigenous cultures across Canada and are powerful living embodiments of knowledges, languages, and beliefs. Through the collaborative relations process, we are working with communities to share these stories, perspectives, languages, and voices throughout the new exhibits and museum."

An example of this commitment, exterior and interior signage in the new museum will be trilingual, featuring English, Michi Saagiig Anishnaabemowin (the local Anishnaabemowin dialect), and French. Additional Indigenous languages will also be featured in exhibits relating to specific watercraft.

The CCM has also commissioned new canoe and kayak builds from Inuit and First Nations communities and builders. These commissions will fill gaps in the Museum’s collection, allowing for a greater diversity of stories to be shared, and traditional knowledge to be preserved and passed down to younger generations.

The new museum, expected to open summer of 2023, will feature an accessible Collection Hall displaying 100 percent of the Museum's collection; a 20,000 square-foot Exhibition Hall with brand-new exhibits; a Lakefront Events and Education Centre; an Artisan and Canoe-building Studio to facilitate hands-on learning and DIY workshops; a Library and Research Room that will allow for the recording of oral stories; a Lakefront Canoe House and dock for on-water and outdoor education programming and more.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Completes Purchase of Johnson Property and Signs Construction Contract

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) has completed the purchase of the Johnson Property from the City of Peterborough announced on Wednesday.

File Photo

File Photo

The Johnson Property, located at at 2077 Ashburnham Dr., is the site where the CMM will build its new world-class museum slated for completion in 2023.

City Council approved the direction to proceed with the sale of the land in January this year. The sale was subject to a number of conditions including rezoning, project validation and confirmation of site appropriateness, all of which have been met to the satisfaction of both CCM and the city.

CCM paid $1.575 million for the five acres of land.

“I am pleased to see the completion of this transaction for the property that will be the future home of The Canadian Canoe Museum. I am very much looking forward to the building of this exciting project in Peterborough’s Ashburnham Ward,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin, City Council’s representative on The Canadian Canoe Museum Board.

CCM intends to sell its current property at 910 Monaghan Rd. to help fund the project in addition to a fundraising campaign that has raised just over 82 per cent of the $40 million needed to complete the overall project.

“Canadian Canoe Museum is thrilled to have completed these critical milestones so that we may commence with construction as planned in October,” said Carolyn Hyslop, CCM, executive director. “Our project team is working at lightning speed to stay on schedule so that we may be ready to open the new museum in 2023.”

Having completed project validation, CCM is now moving into a contract for continued design and construction of the new facility. The Museum marked the occasion by signing a CCDC30 Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contract on Monday with Chandos Construction Ltd. and Lett Architects Inc., valued at $27,363,383.00.

This agreement allows for the commencement of design services and construction work associated with the building of the new museum on the Johnson Property.

Project partners include:
Architect:
Lett Architects Inc., Peterborough, ON
General Contractor:
Chandos Construction Ltd, Toronto, ON
Structural Engineering:
LEA, Markham, ON
Mechanical Trade Partner:
Kelson Mechanical, Sharon, ON
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering:
DG Biddle & Associates, Oshawa, ON
Electrical trade partner:
Lancer Electric, Peterborough, ON
Civil Engineer:
Engage Engineering, Peterborough, ON

The new museum will enable CCM to house 100 per cent of its collection in a building that meets Class A conservation standards, directly on the water, which allows for increased on-water and in-person programming.

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A Painted Paddle Installation Is Launching In Downtown Peterborough

The Downtown Vibrancy Project will be launching a new outdoor public art exhibit to celebrate community connection during lockdown with its February 1st Painted Paddle debut—a series of paddle art installations in Peterborough’s central entertainment and shopping district. 

During the month of February, locals will be able to safely tour the Painted Paddle art exhibit by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown, as part of a new art crawl experience.

Places providing window space for the art installation include: Peterborough & the Kawartha Tourism’s Visitor Centre, Le Petit Bar, St Veronus, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, Sam's Deli, Black Honey Bakery, Cork and Bean, B!KE, Watson and Lou, Cottage Toys, By The Bridge, GreenUp Store, Night Kitchen, DBIA Office, Meta4 Gallery, Avant Garden, Sustain, Bluestreak Records, and Peterborough Social Services.

Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett, a retired Police Officer, painting the Peterborough Police Service’s paddle for the Painted Paddle project. (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Kelleigh Traynor-Hartnett, a retired Police Officer, painting the Peterborough Police Service’s paddle for the Painted Paddle project. (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Each paddle will be as unique as the artist, generating a distinctive visual story of our community’s history, and its connection to the common paddle.

Notable featured paddle artists and organizations contributing art for the Painted Paddle include: Mayor Therrien, Hiawatha First Nation, Wiigwaas Hiawatha Store, Peterborough Police Service, DBIA, GreenUP, Trent Gzowski College, Trent Veg Garden, Peterborough Pollinators, Princess Gardens Retirement Residence, Empress Gardens Retirement Residence, St Anne's School, VegFest, B!KE, City Councillors Zippel and Akapo, Art School mother and daughter team, Eileen and Kendron, local Anishinaabe artist Kyler, and local artist Tiphaine Lenaik. 

The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 5th. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from Febrary 19th at 8 pm to March 4th at 8 pm ahead of the First Friday event on March 5th, with proceeds going towards the One City Employment Program. For the virtual auction, click here.

To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations here.


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Canadian Canoe Museum Confirms Viability Of Johnson Park On Shores Of Little Lake For New Museum Build

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced that Johnson Park, the City-owned property situated on Little Lake—north of Beavermead Park and south of the Parks Canada-Trent Severn Waterway head offices—has been deemed viable for the building of its new canoe museum.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

This confirmation clears the way for moving to the next phase of feasibility activities and determining next steps with the City of Peterborough.

“We are thrilled that recently concluded due diligence explorations, environmental assessments, testing and feasibility studies have substantiated the Johnson Park location as a viable site for the building of the new world-class canoe museum,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Land image graphic courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

Land image graphic courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

“The museum will now enter the next phase of feasibility and validation activities,” adds Hyslop. “This process will help us fine tune budget and overall costs, design and the project schedule with a view to being shovel-ready by the end of 2021.”

Leading with environmental stewardship in mind, the new museum will be built on a flat portion of the property, away from the floodplain, on the open land along Ashburnham Drive. This will preserve the existing trail, shoreline and natural waterfront.

To assist CCM with the realization of a new creative vision suitable to a fresh waterfront site, the new museum will be designed by local, award-winning Lett Architects Inc. With experience in completing cultural projects for nationally recognized institutions, Lett will bring a strong collaborative and engaging approach to the project.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

“In a year that has brought every manner of exceptional challenges to us all, we are delighted to close out 2020 with positive and hopeful news,” adds Hsylop. “Having found a viable site for this extraordinary project that will see the new museum situated on the shores of Peterborough’s Little Lake—what a terrific kick off to 2021!”

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The Canadian Canoe Museum Is Reopening July 25th

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced it is reopening its galleries to the public starting this Saturday, July 25th. Work has been underway to implement new safety protocols while ensuring the museum’s engaging, welcoming, and inspiring atmosphere remains.

“When visitors walk through our doors, they will still be greeted by our stunning array of canoes and kayaks, the rushing waterfall, and sounds of nature—just as they have always been, although they will notice the new protocols we have put in place to help keep our community safe,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director.

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NEW PROTOCOLS AT THE MUSEUM INCLUDE:

  • Requiring all visitors, volunteers, and staff to wear a face mask or covering in the museum’s galleries and store.

  • Requiring hand sanitization upon entrance to the museum and promoting sanitization throughout your visit with newly installed hand sanitization stations.

  • Limiting visitor capacity and staggering entrances to the galleries to promote physical distancing.

  • Implementing a defined route through the museum’s galleries with reminders to keep your distance from other visitors.

  • Encouraging contactless forms of payment at the admissions desk and store. Cash will not be accepted.

  • An enhanced and increased cleaning schedule.

  • Changes have also been made to the museum's hours of operation. The museum will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until further notice.

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Recognizing that not everyone will be able to or feel comfortable returning to public places at this time, the museum is continuing to provide engaging virtual CCM From Home content online here.

At this time, all additional events, programs, and workshops remain cancelled for the remainder of summer 2020.

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Don't Miss The 2nd Annual Campfires & Cocktails Event At Canadian Canoe Museum

The 2nd Annual “Campfires & Cocktails” event takes place Saturday, April 18th at the Canadian Canoe Museum this year, and the theme is Channel Your Flannel.

There will be live music by the Dixie Hicks (Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr and Kate Brioux), along with a special appearance by Robert Atyeo and Wayne O’Connor. Peterborough’s own Jason Wilkins will be illustrating a paddle live at the event, which will then be available to win in a live auction that takes place. The signature cocktail will be provided by Blacks Distillery and uniquely crafted for the event.

Mike Judson (MC for the event) and Neil Morton (Honorary Chair) portaging a canoe on wires at Canadian Canoe Museum

Funds raised throughout the event will support the award-winning educational and public programs offered at the Museum.

Honorary Chair for this year’s event is our own Neil Morton, and the MC is Mike Judson, an avid outdoorsman and Co-Host of Mike and Miles in the Morning on Pure Country 105. 

Dixie Hicks performing at last year’s event

At the event, you can sample campfire-inspired cuisine prepared and served by local culinary experts while listening to the local musicians, as you stroll through the galleries of The Canadian Canoe Museum with a signature cocktail in hand.

Neil Morton and Mike Judson trying to paddle at Canadian Canoe Museum

You are encouraged to channel your flannel and dress in your favourite flannel and plaid.

Tickets are $75 per person. This is a 19+ event. Get your tickets here.

Photo from last year’s event courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

Watch this promo video below produced by StudioPTBO.com

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BMO Financial Group Announces $650,000 Gift To Support New Canadian Canoe Museum

BMO Financial Group has announced a $650,000 investment in The Canadian Canoe Museum’s new 85,000 square-foot-facility at the water’s edge.

This generous gift is the $65 million capital campaign’s first from a financial institution and in recognition, the new museum’s archives and archives workroom will be named the BMO Financial Group Research and Knowledge Centre.

To be built alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway, the new museum will feature a dedicated space for the organization’s growing collection of rare books, maps and archival materials, as well as film, video and recorded oral histories.

This space, which doesn’t exist in the current museum, will be built to a Class A controlled environment standard that is designed for the materials it will house. Guests using this space will be surrounded by a unique reference library with access to individual study spaces and large work surfaces, along with a comfortable environment for knowledge sharing and the digital documentation of new stories.

”BMO is proud to support The Canadian Canoe Museum,” says Sheri Griffiths, Regional President, Business Banking, Greater Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The new BMO Financial Group Research and Knowledge Centre will offer a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with—and gain a deeper understanding of our country’s history.”

The new museum has been designed by the award-winning team of heneghan peng (Dublin, Ireland) and Kearns Mancini Architects (Toronto, Canada). The building, purpose-built for the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft, will blend almost seamlessly into its landscape, emerging from the drumlin and complementing the waterway.

“The Research and Knowledge Centre is an integral space in the new museum—one that will offer opportunities to learn and collaborate that right now, we can only imagine,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director. “The Centre will be an inclusive and safe space for First Peoples, Métis and Inuit, Indigenous Knowledge Holders, and academics to share, encourage understanding and conduct cultural and ceremonial practices.”

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Canadian Canoe Museum’s Capital Campaign Receives $500,000 Gift From Toronto-Based Philanthropists George & Kathy Dembroski

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced that George and Kathy Dembroski have made a $500,000 commitment to the museum’s $65 million capital campaign, supporting the construction of its new 85,000 square-foot facility at the water’s edge on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

The Dembroskis are friends of the museum, and have a connection to the area through their cottage on nearby Stony Lake in the Kawarthas. These Toronto-based philanthropists are strongly supportive of the plans for the new museum and are eager to see it built alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock.

Kathy and George Dembroski (photo courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum)

The museum’s 9,700 square foot outdoor terrace, which runs alongside the east side of the building, will be named in recognition of their generous gift.

Here is a conceptual rendering of the terrace…

Rendering of terrace (courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum)

“We are incredibly pleased to support this exciting project in Peterborough, recognizing its local, provincial and national impact,” says Kathy Dembroski. “As we learned about the plans for the new museum, we became increasingly interested. We knew we wanted to become involved as soon as we learned about the functionality of the terrace—and how it will serve as a connecting space between the indoors and the outdoors. We can envision people gathering there and taking in the views of the Lift Lock and the waterway.”

The terrace, which is parallel to the galleria space on the interior, matching the curved shape of the building, extends to the ground floor from the interior. Only a glass wall separates the two areas. This will draw outside visitors into the museum, and also invite visitors who are inside, to explore the spaces beyond.

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