The Canadian Canoe Museum, located on the Traditional Territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations, in Peterborough, ON, has housed the world’s largest collection of canoes – more than 600 to be exact.
For the past 20 years, the museum has grown exponentially and its expansion has been limited because of its inland location. Which is why, the new museum will be built along the waters of Little Lake.
This project was delivered through integrated project delivery (IPD), and will include a hybrid of a steel and timber frame. It also features:
- An integrated collection hall that will be able to display all of the museum’s watercraft in a Class “A” controlled museum environment – an artifact conservation standard.
- A 17,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall featuring a new exhibits.
- A lakefront events and education centre with views of the lake.
- An authentic artisan and canoe-building studios that will offer hands-on learning for youth and adults.
- An accessible library and research room.
- A café with a fireplace, adjacent to the lakefront terrace.
- A canoe house with floating docks to accommodate on-water and outdoor educational programming.
Part of the exhibit design and development process, the museum collaborated with Indigenous Peoples to accurately preserve and share artifacts.
According to the Canadian Canoe Museum website, this means “sharing authority for the research, documentation and representation of Indigenous culture and looking to acknowledge the impacts of colonization. The exhibit development process supports the museum’s strategic plan and will support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.“
