Use the navigation tree on the left to view information about our past, current and upcoming exhibitions.
The E. Roy Smith Gallery is open to the public after a lot of hard work and waiting!
The West Parry Sound District Museum received a $27,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to complete renovations to the E Roy Smith Gallery. The project was completed in February 2022, and will give the community new exhibitions that feature our local heritage.
Watch the video to see all the renovations that took place to get the gallery where it is today. There is still a lot to come too, so be sure to visit more than once to see new exhibitions and learn more about our district's history.
In October 2019, the Museum began installing the model of the Ottawa, Arnprior & Parry Sound Railway, but not without the help of some dedicated volunteers of course! Thank you to all those who helped move the train into the Permanent Gallery.
Bringing up the train!
There sure were a lot of pieces!
...and even more screws!
Shout out to thom morrissey photography for capturing it all on film :)
Staff and volunteers have been hard at work in the E Roy Smith Gallery. The Barn is officially down and has been moved out of the Gallery into storage.
A big thank you to Merrill, Joanne, Ellen, Roger, Gord, Barb, Quinlan, Doug and Daryl for making this happen!
The Museum has successfully completed the first stage of our planned fall 2019 renovation of the E. Roy Smith Gallery; moving the Mackinaw boat. Watch the video below to see how we did it. Thank you to the staff of Glenn Burney Marina who made the move possible.
Now On Display...
Start Date:
Apr 06/2021
Museum From Home
End Date:
Feb 13/2025
Use the tree on the left hand side to navigate through the previous exhibtions.
Every January, the Museum honours new artifact donations received throughout the previous year by curating our What's New exhibition. Since the beginning of this year was a bit uncertain, we decided to take things virtual.
This year, instead of visiting the Museum to explore the new additions to the permanent collection, you get to do it from the comfort of your home! Just click on the graphic below to discover the array of materials the Museum received throughout 2020. From a collection of photographs capturing the COVID-19 pandemic to an invitation for the first graduation ceremony of the Parry Sound General Hospital Training School for Nurses, these artifacts help share the story of the West Parry Sound District.
Click on the graphic below to explore this virtual exhibition!
The History of Tower Hill
Did you know that roughly 20,000 people from all over the world visit the Tower Hill observation tower every year?Although this amazing place has always been a great tourist attraction, its history proves that it is much more than that! Learn more about this popular Parry Sound location in our newest virtual exhibition.
Avro Arrow: A Dream Denied
Many West Parry Sound District residents will know that while much of the work on the Avro Arrow and Iroquois engine was done in Malton, many of the engine components were developed and tested in Nobel. The test facility opened in 1946 and was located on the site of the former Defense Industries Limited explosives plant. The property was already equipped with a power plant, water supply, machine shop, laboratories and offices, which saved the company set-up time and money.
Logging: A History
The logging industry in Ontario began around 1860, with American lumber companies moving north to expand their markets after removing much of the timber along the lake states. As more companies began to situate themselves near prominent waterways, the scale of the operations grew. More sawmills were erected, turning the lumber industry into one of the most profitable for the Canadian export trade, next to the fur trade.
Special thanks to the West Parry Sound Geography Network!
Start Date:
Jan 20/2024
Curling in Parry Sound: Celebrating 125 Years
End Date:
Dec 31/2024
The Roots of a Passionate Tradition
The exhibition will be a captivating journey through time, tracing the roots of curling in Parry Sound. From its humble beginning on natural ice to state-of-the-art facilities of today, visitors will witness the evolution of a sport that has become deeply woven into the fabric of the community.
Unveiling the Treasure
As visitors step into the exhibiton, they will be greeted by a treasure that will lead them down memory lane. Vintage Curling stones, antique brooms, and historic photographs will tell the story of the town's enduring love affair with the game. Each artifact has a tale to tell, reflecting the dedication and passion that have fueled curling in Parry Sound for over a century
Interactive Exhibits for All Ages
This celebration is more than just a walk down memory lane: it's an interactive experience for all ages. Visitors can try their hand at a simulated curling match, gaining a newfound appreciation for the skill and precision required to master this timeless sport. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hands-on activities that bring the spirit of curling to life.
Looking towards the future
While the exhibition commemorates the past, it also set its sights on the future. Displays highlights the advancements in technology, training facilities, and the growing popularity of curling promise to inspire the next generation of enthusiasts. Parry Sound's commitement to maintaining its status as a curling hub for years to come will be evident throughout the exhibtion.
Join the Celebration
As Parry Sound marks 125 years of curling, the exhibition invites everyone to be a part of this remarkble celebration. Whether you are a seasoned curler, a casual fan, or someone curious to learn more about the town's history, this exhibition promises a memorable experience for all.
Don't miss the chance to be part of Curling in Parry Sound: Celebrating 125 Years.
To know more about Tony Gilchrist Trophy,click here.
Start Date:
Jan 23/2024
Reconnecting with The Forgotten
End Date:
May 30/2024
Reconnecting with the Forgotten
We welcome you to our extraordinary exhibition, "Reconnecting with the Forgotten." We invite you to explore the captivating pictures of unidentified individuals from various walks of life in the West Parry Sound District's past. This thought-provoking collection aims to bridge the gap between the unknown and the known, fostering a connection that transcends time.
Unveiling the Mystery
The Faces of Mystery
Step into a world where the faces of the unidentified beckon for recognition. Each photograph tells a tale of anonymity, urging us to reflect on lives in obscurity.
Curator Insight
Since the start of the West Parry Sound District Museum, our staff has collected items with the purpose of preserving and sharing the history of the District. A part of that includes preserving the human stories and lives behind an item, which is especially important with photographs. The exhibit's curator, Michaela Dickens, has meticulously gathered these images from diverse sources within our Museum's collection to present them in an evocative montage. It is their hope that the community of the West Parry Sound District and all those who have a connection to its past will aid us in our endeavour to return identities to faces that have been lost to time. We ask that you immerse yourself in studying these faces for hints of connection and in the responsibility of being a storyteller for the forgotten in this exhibit and in your daily life.
Quote from the Curator:
"Museum's work hard to collect and preserve as many pieces of history as we can. Our goal is not to hide these items away but to showcase them and utilize them to provide information in new and exciting ways for our visitors. One aspect that many museum workers struggle with is the amount of history that is not preserved. Particularly the intangible details of an artifact, such as the stories of those connected or depicted, how it was used or created and the effect it had on the lives tied to it. This project is one way we hope to preserve those details so we can be better able to explore the human elements behind the items we collect and keep them alive for future generations."
The Journey of Discovery
Interactive Displays
Engage with our interactive displays to contribute your insights. Your perspective could be the key to unlocking the mysteries surrounding these individuals, breathing life into the forgotten.
Connecting Threads
Discover the common threads that bind us all. Through thematic clusters, we invite you to discern the shared experiences and emotions that traverse time and circumstances.
Collaborative Storytelling
Join us in our ongoing collaborative effort to piece together the stories of the unidentified. Share your thoughts, memories and any potential leads that might help us reconnect with the forgotten souls captured in these photographs.
Legacy of Remembering
In honouring these unknown individuals, we strive to create a legacy of remembrance. Together, we can ensure that no one is truly forgotten and every life, no matter how brief or obscure, is acknowledged.
Online Exhibit
Below is a collection of additional photos that are not available in our physical exhibit. If you recognize the people in any of the photos, click the photo to fill out our form. The museum will contact you for more information. Please contact info@museumontowerhill.com if you have any issues with this process.
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