Official opening ceremonies to welcome
community, dignitaries, and donors
PETERBOROUGH, ON, May 11, 2024
/CNW/ - The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) will host an official
celebration today at 1:00 pm ET,
unveiling its new purpose-built, world-class, two-story,
65,000-square-foot museum, on its five-acre lakefront
campus located at 2077 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, ON. The ceremony will be
broadcast simultaneously on the Museum's website at
canoemuseum.ca.
"Today marks the culmination of years of planning and hard work
that ushers in a new era for The Canadian Canoe Museum, our local
community and economy and the arts and culture sector," stated
Carolyn Hyslop, executive director,
The Canadian Canoe Museum. "We are thrilled to welcome our donors,
partners, members and volunteers as we gather to celebrate the
unveiling of the new museum and Lang Lakefront Campus at the start
of the paddling season," said Hyslop.
Situated on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties
First Nations, the five-acre site of the new museum provides
stunning west-facing views of Little
Lake, a connection to the Trans Canada Trail and is
surrounded by public parks.
Reflecting on this milestone, Kevin
Malone, chair, board of directors noted, "The Canadian Canoe
Museum collection is unlike any other and has been recognized for
its national significance to Canada. Now, it finally has a befitting,
purpose-built home that enables it to be displayed in its entirety
and meaningfully cared for as a fundamental part of Canada's past."
Designed by Unity Design Studio (formerly Lett
Architects Inc.) the architecture is inspired by
craftsmanship, and the use of natural elements reflects a
connection to the land inspired by the canoe. It will play a vital
role in the stewardship of this national cultural asset that was
named to the list of Best Cultural Spots on National Geographic's
Best of the World 2024, the brand's annual guide of the most
exciting, meaningful, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences for
2024.
The new 65,000-square-foot museum and lakefront campus, located
on the Trent-Severn Waterway, form the key elements of this
project, which cost a fully-funded $45M to realize, enables the Museum to display
100 per cent of its more than 600 watercraft in a facility designed
to meet Class "A" controlled museum environment artifact
conservation standards. The new facility allows for the vessels to
be cared for and to have their stories shared with dynamic,
immersive exhibits and transformational on-land and on-water
visitor experiences.
Hyslop went on to say, "We invite new and returning visitors to
immerse themselves in the rich histories and diverse cultures of
the canoe and kayak. All our programming offers hands-on indoor and
outdoor experiences connecting visitors and locals to the land,
water, and canoe."
Visitors will also see and hear Indigenous languages and voices
from the moment they enter the Museum. The local Michi Saagig
dialect of Anishnaabemowin is used throughout the building and in
its exhibits alongside English and French.
Additional Indigenous languages are featured in relation to
specific watercraft. The Indigenous Languages Program is supported
by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment.
The new museum is primed to become a significant cultural and
recreational tourism destination between Toronto and Ottawa. It will play a vital role in shaping
the region's identity as a premier travel location known for its
vibrant community space, outdoor programs, events, and canoeing
activities.
Features of the new museum include:
- A 65,000-square-foot Museum and Lakefront Campus with a canoe
house, gathering circle, campfire pit, accessible boardwalk, a
walk-in canoe launch, an adaptive canoe and kayak launch and two
expansive seasonal docks to accommodate on-water and outdoor
education programming.
- An integrated Collection Hall that allows for the display of
100 per cent of the Museum's watercraft in a Class "A" controlled
museum environment, an artifact conservation standard.
- 20,000 square foot Exhibition Hall featuring a brand-new suite
of exhibits.
- Accessible Library and Research Room with Class "A" archival
storage.
- Authentic Artisan Studio and Canoe-Building Studio to
facilitate hands-on learning for adults and youth.
- A premier event rental space featuring a sweeping view of the
lake.
- Café with fireplace and adjacent Lakefront Terrace.
The new museum officially opens on Monday, May 13, 2024, to welcome all guests and
encourages visitors to come and enjoy the full range of on-land and
on-water experiences.
The Canadian Canoe Museum extends its deepest gratitude for the
generous support it has received from its local community and
individuals across Canada. This
project was made possible, in part, thanks to the support of lead
donor and government partners, including the Government of
Canada through the Department of
Canadian Heritage and the Federal Economic Development Agency for
Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario),
the Province of Ontario, the
Weston Family Foundation, the City of
Peterborough, and Peterborough County. Today's event has
been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund,
a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism,
Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions
Fund Corporation.
Quotes:
"As a government, we are proud to have
supported the Canadian Canoe Museum's new lakefront facility, which
is enabling the Museum to display 100 percent of its watercraft
collection and providing an immersive space for visitors to learn
the rich histories and innovation behind the canoe and kayak. This
investment through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund is helping
foster an environment where people can experience dynamic cultural
expressions, celebrate Canada's
history and heritage, and build strong communities. In particular,
we are proud to see this Museum recognizing the importance and the
place of Indigenous perspectives and languages in this story. We
look forward to seeing the positive impact this space will have on
the local community of Peterborough and beyond."
- The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister
of Canadian Heritage
"Congratulations on the grand opening of the new Canadian Canoe
Museum! Your beautiful new waterfront location is the perfect home
for the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled
watercraft. This space is an important site for preserving and
enhancing both Indigenous and Canadian cultural heritage. The
Government of Canada is pleased to
have supported this project with an investment of $750,000, which helped to outfit this new space
for your community members and visitors to enjoy. My best wishes to
all those attending for a successful and enjoyable event. And to
all who were involved in making this project a reality, thank
you!"
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi,
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency
for Southern Ontario
"Our government is proud to support the Canadian Canoe Museum,
which has been a unique culture and tourism destination in
Peterborough for more than 25
years," said Neil Lumsden, Minister
of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "The museum's beautiful new location
will help to preserve and showcase its world-class collection of
watercraft, offer more spaces to engage and educate visitors and
have a positive economic impact on Peterborough and surrounding communities."
"The Canadian Canoe Museum has been an important institution
within our community for more than two decades," said Dave Smith, MPP, Peterborough-Kawartha. "This
new facility will create a wealth of possibilities for sharing the
history of this important mode of travel with locals and visitors
alike – through innovative new exhibits and opportunities to take
to the water and enjoy the canoe as its meant to be – on the
water!"
"So much of the history of First Nations peoples, and the
history of Canada, is reflected in
the story of the canoe. For almost 30 years, Peterborough has been proud to host The
Canadian Canoe Museum – and now it has a fitting home for its vast
collection. I look forward to welcoming visitors from around the
province, country, and the world, to experience this nationally
significant museum, situated on the shores of Little Lake in beautiful Peterborough, Ontario."
- Jeff
Leal, Mayor, City of
Peterborough
"Peterborough County proudly supports the new Canadian Canoe
Museum and has been eagerly following its progress. This investment
underscores our commitment to preserving heritage, promoting
tourism and economic development, fostering community engagement
and education, supporting cultural reconciliation, and enriching
our arts and culture landscape. The new location of the Canadian
Canoe Museum, situated along the water's edge, promises a
transformative visitor experience, shaping our region's identity as
a premier destination. This museum will attract visitors from
around the world, firmly positioning our region as an international
destination. Congratulations to the Canoe Museum, our
partners, and all the workers and volunteers who contributed to
making this project a local success story."
- Bonnie
Clark, Peterborough County Warden
"The Weston Family Foundation celebrates this next chapter in
the Museum's history following more than 25 years of collaboration,
funding, and leadership, including an instrumental role in its
founding. Our funding has supported costs and educational program
development for the new museum which will educate visitors about
our country's heritage for generations. Congratulations on this
monumental achievement and we wish you much continued success."
- Garfield
Mitchell, chair, Weston Family Foundation
"The new Canadian Canoe Museum creates an exciting new space
that amplifies languages and voices from Indigenous communities,
helping ensure the rich history, diverse cultures, and traditional
knowledge of Indigenous Peoples are carried forward. TD is
incredibly proud to support the Museum's Indigenous Languages
program and the Indigenous Community Coordinators through the TD
Ready Commitment, the Bank's corporate citizenship platform. These
initiatives recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples and
communities, help create conversations about the past, present, and
future, and are an important step in our collective journey towards
Truth and Reconciliation."
- Alicia
Rose, AVP, Social Impact, Sustainability & Corporate
Citizenship, TD Bank Group
About the Canadian Canoe Museum (www.canoemuseum.ca)
Located on the Traditional Territory of the
Williams Treaties First Nations in Peterborough, Ontario, The Canadian Canoe Museum stewards
the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled
watercraft. As part of the Museum's responsibility for this
cultural asset of national significance (Senate of Canada, 2013), it now displays 100 per cent of
its collection in its new purpose-built 65,000-square-foot home
facility on the waters of Little
Lake that aspires to be as innovative as the canoe itself.
With an array of indoor and outdoor spaces, the Museum inspires
visitors to learn about Canada's
collective history and reinforce our connections to land, water,
and one another – all through the unique lens of the iconic canoe.
The Museum was named to the list of Best Cultural Spots on National
Geographic's Best of the World 2024, the brand's annual guide of
the most exciting, meaningful, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences
for 2024.
Social Media: @cndncanoemuseum
Hashtags: #NewCanoeMuseum #WatersEdge #BestOfTheWorld
Note to Editor:
High-resolution digital images are available online at
www.canoemuseum.ca/grand-opening-media-kit
SOURCE Canadian Canoe Museum