Museums / Heritage

Numerous exhibits on the interesting history of Collingwood Shipyards, Petun Native Indian culture and the transportation heritage of Collingwood.

The Depot owes its existence to Sir Sandford Fleming, Canada’s celebrated railway engineer. Naming the area Craigleith, meaning Rocky Harbour, the Flemings established a quarry and a furniture factory and donated land for the original schoolhouse along the Township’s first gravel road. The road followed an ancient native trail traveled by resident Petuns, Jesuit missionaries and traders alike in the 1600’s. In 1872, A.G. Fleming, Sandford’s father, sold a parcel of land to the Northern Railway along the same road for the purpose of constructing a station for the community. By 1880 a handsome station with the very newest architectural design, a rounded turret, opened its doors to the whistle of the locomotive and promise of prosperity for the community. In a direction quite unforeseen by the Flemings, the little station became the hub of ski trains from Toronto in the early 1940’s, and planted the seeds for what was to become Ontario’s premier ski and four season recreational destination. In July 2001, The Town of The Blue Mountains, with support from the Craigleith Heritage Committee and Blue Mountain Watershed Trust Foundation, purchased the Depot. On September 21st 2008 the Craigleith Heritage Depot reopened their doors as a community heritage interpretation centre and tourism office.

Changing displays, art galleries, staffed archives, gift store, annual schedule of special events, tours and programs.

HISTORY LIVES HERE! Preservation, understanding and communication of the unique heritage of Grey County

One of the few remaining original School Houses built in 1889. Records of all Osprey School Sections, census data, pioneer artifacts, farming equipment. Open May 26-October 8.

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the 17th century HQ for the French Jesuit mission to the Huron people. A nationally significant historic site, Sainte-Marie was recreated on its original location, where the compelling story is brought to life again.

The museum tells the story of the black communities of Oro, Collingwood, and Artemesia (Priceville) and offers guided educational tours describing interesting facts and stories about the early families who lived in Collingwood. Through displays and artefacts, visitors may gain an understanding of the trials and successes of Ontario’s early Black pioneers. View some actual slave chains, and learn of the ‘Underground Railroad’ that helped many to freedom. Discover the many marine and military accomplishments of the Black settlers in the Collingwood area. The museum is located outside of Clarksburg on Clark Street and open seasonally.