Visiting Us

Natasha Wiatr - Museum Curator
nwiatr@callander.ca

Hours:
September to April:
Thursday to Saturday
from 10:00am to 5:00pm

May to August:
Tuesday to Saturday
from 10:00am to 5:00pm

 

Contact Us:

107 Landsdowne St. East
P.O. Box 100
Callander, Ontario
P0H 1H0

Phone: 705-752-2282
Fax: 705-752-3116
Email:museum@callander.ca

 

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Events at the Museum

Upcoming Events

Date Time Description Cost Drop In or Pre-Register  
           
           

All Musem and Gallery events are postponed until further notice.

Community Events Directory
Browse through other events going on in Callander.

 

 

Highlights of Past Events

 

2020

Wire-Wrapping with the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club - February 29, 2020

The Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club took over the Alex Dufresne Gallery for the afternoon and taught participants the art of wire-wrapping rocks to make beautiful pieces of jewelry!

wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event wire-wrapping event

Rockin' Into 2020: Rocks Up Close - January 3 and 4, 2020

We were pleased to welcome back the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club to run their event "Rockin into 2020" with us again! We were also thrilled to have the Crystal Cave here with their augmented reality and virtual reality to show off to our guests. Over two days we had over 100 people through the museum and gallery to learn all about rocks and minerals, make some jewelry, and go on a scavenger hunt through the museum! Special thanks to all of our volunteers for their assistance over the two days.

Event photo from rock into 2020 child looking through microscope news crew filming event rocks on a table rocks and a microscope on a table microscope focusing on a rock rocks on a table jewelry sign woman looking through microscope boy looking at rocks on table children making jewelry girl looking at rocks

2019

Closing Gala for Adventures in Art - October 26, 2019

To end our Adventures in Art art show we co-hosted a closing gala with Community Living North Bay and L'Arche North Bay with the majority of the proceeds benefitting the Community Living's Outcomes Fund. Attendees enjoyed live music, hors d'oeuvres and each took a painting home.

Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019 Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019

 

Cranberry Day - September 28, 2019

We had a lot of fun down at the trail for Cranberry Day! Special thank you to Kandyd of the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club for bringing along some awesome rocks and for creating a treasure trail that could only be found by using a metal detector!

Cranberry Day 2019Cranberry Day 2019Cranberry Day 2019Cranberry Day 2019Cranberry Day 2019Cranberry Day 2019

 

Adventures in Art Painting Classes - September 12, 26, October 10 and 24, 2019

We welcomed staff from Community Living and L'Arche North Bay to lead their successful Adventures in Art painting classes at the gallery throughout the fall. These classes were open to those with and without disabilities as a way of bridging the gap that separates us.

Adventures in Art Painting ClassAdventures in Art Painting ClassAdventures in Art Painting ClassAdventures in Art Painting Class


Book Launch for "The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets" - August 27, 2019

We welcomed international author Sarah Miller to the museum for the launch of her new book, a book signing and a Q and A session. Books are still available for sale at the museum.

Author Sarah Miller holds a copy of her new book "The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets"Two guests read educational panels on the Dionne quintuplets in the museumMuseum volunteer and summer student smile while selling booksGuests look around the museumGuests sit in the art gallery as they wait for the questiona and answer session to begina guest looks at the doctor Allan Roy Dafoe display case

 

Jack Lockhart Painting Workshops - July, 2019

We were pleased to welcome internationally-known artist Jack Lockhart to the gallery to lead a couple of painting workshops!

Jack Lockhart explains a painting techniqueJack Lockhart watches participants create a paintingClose up photograph of Jack Lockhart's paint pallette.Students sit around Jack Lockhart holding onto their paintingsGroup photo from the first paint workshop with Jack LockhartPhoto of second group of painting workshop

 

Child and Guardian Paint Day - June 8, 2019

Children and their parents and/or guardians enjoyed time in the gallery creating a painting together!

Families work together to create a painting in the art galleryFamilies work together to create a painting in the art galleryClose up photograph of a painting

 

Toddler Drop Ins - Thursdays all summer, 2019

We welcome adults and their little ones every Thursday morning all summer for some fun activities!

toddler drop in days summer 2019 toddler drop in days summer 2019 toddler drop in days summer 2019 toddler drop in days summer 2019 toddler drop in days summer 2019

 

Quintland Now and Then Presentation - May 28, 2019

On the 85th birthday of surviving Dionne quintuplets Annette and Cécile, we led presentations on the transformation of Highway 94 near Nipissing Manor from country road to a bustling tourist attraction. Presentation still available on request.

Quintland Presentation on Annette and Cécile Dionne's 85th birthdayQuintland Presentation on Annette and Cécile Dionne's 85th birthday

 

Easter Craft - April, 2019

Families had fun creating different crafts while searching throughout the museum for a single golden egg!

Guests look in the geology room for a hidden eggFamilies look in the shipping room for a hidden easter eggFamilies make easter crafts in the art galleryFamilies make crafts in the art gallery Easter Craft 2019 Easter craft 2019

 

Rockin' Into 2019 - January 4-5, 2019

Special thank you to the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club for running this amazing event that featured geological mini-putt, jewellery-making, a magical rock table and a rock gizmo!

Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event Rockin' into 2019 event

 

 

2018

Métis Days - July 11 and August 1, 2018

We welcomed back the Métis Nation of Ontario to run their Summer Youth Cultural Program for two days to teach participants all about Métis culture!

Métis days 2019 Métis days 2019 Métis days 2019 Métis days 2019 Métis days 2019 Métis days 2019
 
 

FunFest at the Museum - June 30, 2018

We welcomed the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club to lead activities such as using a metal detector and panning for gold at the museum during Callander's Canada Day FunFest Celebrations! We also opened our new exhibits "Callander Rocks! Callander's Geological Journey" co-created by the Rock Club as well. Despite losing power near the end of the day that didn't stop our guests from improvising by using their phone lights to view our exhibits!

funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018 funfest at the museum 2018
 
 

"The Northern Coney Island" Exhibit Opening Reception - May 26, 2018

In commemoration of Annette and Cécile Dionne's 84th birthday, we opened our new exhibit which explores Quintland as a physical site itself and examines the different buildings and shops that filled the landscape.

Natasha Wiatr speaks to guests during the opening reception for "The Northern Coney Island" exhibitPhoto shows a display case with the original basket the Dionne quintuplets were placed in at birthClose up photo of the new display panel for the "Northern Coney Island" exhibit
 
 

2017

Darlene's Silver Streak and the Bradford Model T Girls - July 4, 2017

We welcomed the "Silver Streak", a 1926 Ford Model T, back to the museum 80 years after it first visited with a group of woman from Bradford, Illinois, who had roadtripped to Callander to see the the Dionne quintuplets and meet Dr. Dafoe in 1937.

Darlene and her friends in front of Dr. Dafoe's house in 1937John Butte and his wife Carmen in the Silver Streak in front of the museum in the same spot it sat 80 years agoJohn Butte being interviewed by reportersJohn and Carmen Butte pulling up to the museum in the Ford Model T

 

25 year old time capsule opening - July 1, 2017

On July 1st 1992, during Canada’s 125th celebration, the community of Callander gathered at the North Himsworth Museum (now the Callander Bay Heritage Museum) to fill a case with objects of their present for people of the future to open. Now, 25 years later, the time came to cut the lock, open the box and step back to the early 90s!

Crowd in the art gallery during the opening of the 1992 Callander time capsule

 

Calendar Quintuplets Exhibit Opening – May 27, 2017

In commemoration of Annette and Cecile’s 83rd birthday on Sunday May 28th, the Callander Museumshowcased a special exhibit on Saturday May 27th.

Beginning in 1936, the largest calendar company in the world at the time, Brown and Bigelow, licensed the image of the girls and commissioned 2 painters to create yearly illustrations to be distributed in calendar form. The Callander Museum has, in its collection, calendars from 1936 until 1955. In addition, on display is one of the original paintings by Andrew Loomis that was then printed into calendar form for the 1942 illustration “Springtime” (as seen in the cover photo). The exhibit will have the calendars on display, background information on the artists, and it will explore how the media portrayed the girl’s through promotion and endorsements such as these calendars.

Guest looking at Quintuplet calendar display

CTV Northern Ontario Clip from the day → http://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=1134296

 

2016

Carol Pretty Retirement Luncheon - September, 2016

It is with sad hearts and warm regards that the Callander Museum says “Happy Retirement!” to our long standing Curator, Carol Pretty. Over the past 19 years, Carol has dedicated herself to promoting the arts and heritage of Callander, and the surrounding area. Visitors to the museum and gallery will always remember Carol’s kind and welcoming personal-ity, as well as her vast knowledge of the region—there were few questions she didn’t know the answer to! With her dedica-tion to preserving the history, objects and stories of the town and the relationships she forged with local artists, Carol served an important role in the Callander community and will be sorely missed.

Curator Carol Pretty retirement luncheon 2016 Curator Carol Pretty retirement luncheon 2016 Curator Carol Pretty retirement luncheon 2016 Curator Carol Pretty retirement luncheon 2016 Curator Carol Pretty retirement luncheon 2016
 

Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields Visit the Museum - February, 2016

It was a pleasant surprise in February when actors Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields took a break from filming in the area to visit the museum. Back in the 1930s and 1940s all the celebrities of the time came here to visit Dr. Dafoe, but in 2016 it looks like Hollywood Came to Callander.. again!

Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016 Beau Bridges and Brooke Shields visit the museum in 2016
 

2014

Quintland site tours (80th anniversary commemoration) – May 28 and 31, 2014

On May 28th and May 31st, 2014 the Callander Bay Heritage Museum commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the Birth of the Dionne Quintuplets with two historic tours of Quintland in Corbeil.

The original location of the Dionne Homestead (now the Dionne Quints Museum in North Bay), the Dafoe Hospital & Nursery, the Quint Observatory and several souvenir shops were all discussed with the help of historic photographs. Over 50 people attended these tours to learn more about this major historical event, and where it all happened.

Thank yous go out to Clarke Heipel with Cogeco North Bay News and Kate Adams with Bay Today for covering the event! We also pass our regards along to Mr. Wentworth Graham and Nipissing Manor for allowing us to tour the grounds. A big thanks to Madison Maitland, Roch and Linda Legros, and Russel Robinson for helping with the tours.