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Events at the Museum

Upcoming Events

Date Time Description Cost Drop In or Pre-Register
April 6th 2:00 - 4:00pm

Opening Reception for "Urban Legends" featuring the artwork of Stephanie Van Doleweed

 Free Drop In
April 17th 6:00 - 7:30pm

Kids Spring Paint Night

- all materials included for $20 per canvas
- all ages, young kids may need adult assistance
- it will run for an hour to an hour and a half

 $20 per Canvas Pre-Register
April 24th 6:00 - 8:00pm

Coffee and Collage Part 3 (with Christine Bretherick)

- all materials included for $20
- geared towards adults
- it will run for an hour and a half to two hours

 $20 each Pre-Register
May 11th 2:00 - 4:00pm

Opening Reception for "Destination Algonquin Park" featuring the artwork of Doreen Wood

 Free Drop In
June 15th 2:00 - 4:00pm

Opening Reception for "Doing Our Thing" feauring the artwork of the Cloverbrea Studio Group

 Free Drop In
July 20th 2:00 - 4:00pm

Opening Reception for "2024: A Space ARTessy"

 Free Drop In
August 24th 2:00 - 4:00pm

Opening Reception for Marc Buchanan's Solo Show (title TBD)

 Free Drop In
 poster for art show Spring Kids Paint Night poster coffee and collage event poster poster for art show
 

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

 

 

Highlights of Past Events

2022

Cheers to 40 Years - Day 1 - August 9, 2022

We were thrilled to celebrate 40 years of operations in 2022! OVer the course of two days we had lots of fun and many activities. Special thanks to the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club for bringing their geological mini putt, awesome rock display, and panning for gold activity! We also hope everyone got a kick out of our photograph cut-out boards :)

kids at museum kids posing for photograph kids posing for photo kids panning for gold man posing for photograph kids playing mini putt people looking at rocks people looking at rocks woman and child in museum kids posing for photograph people sitting at table people posing for photograph man and woman at table child panning for gold

Cheers to 40 Years - Day 2 - August 10, 2022

On day two of our 40th anniversary celebrations we welcomed a variety of partners to join us for the day! Special thanks to the North Bay Museum, Callander Public Library, Dokis First Nation, Nipssing Township Museum, Sturgeon River House Museum, and Incandescent Glass Studio, as well as Eagle Tree Services for donating a commemorative tree for the event.

museum people in museum people in museum girl looking at poster people sitting at table artwork on table family in museum people talking at a table woman and child postcards on wall people outside people outside people standing around a tree people talking in art gallery

MT Davidson Public School Visit

We were pleased to welcome a class from MT Davidson Public School to hang out with us for the afternoon checking out cool artifacts and taking a look at some awesome artwork! 

kids at museumkids in museumkids in museumkids in museum pointing at artworkkids with their hands upkids in museum

Girl Guides Visit

We were excited to welcome the Callander Girl Guides to the museum for an evening of fun with the Nipissing Rock and Mineral Club!

kids in museum kids at museum kids in museum kids in museumpresentation looking at rocks

North Bay Art Association Workshop - May 11th, 2022

The North Bay Art Association led a workshop making models and dioramas using potatoes and other materials to make the modelling clay!

 dioramaartists at workartist workingartist workingartist workingart in progressdioramaartists at work

2021

TD Summer Reading Program - August 17, 2021

The Callander Museum and Callander Public Library teamed up for the library's annual TD Summer Reading Program! The Museum brought some cool artifacts to go along with some awesome crafts

  kids learningartifacts on tablekids learningkids in art gallery

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!

workshopperson teaching people in workshop people in workshop people in workshop people in workshop wire wrapping jewellry

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.

phone looking at rockkid looking into microscopeperson filming with camerarocks on tablemicroscope and rocks on tablerock on tablefake volcanojewelry makingkid 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 2019Adventures in Art Closing Gala reception 2019Adventures 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!

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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.