Canadian Canoe Museum’s Second Annual Lakeside Gala Raises $154,000

The Canadian Canoe Museum raised $154,000 during its second annual Lakeside Gala on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of the Canadian Canoe Museum.

The Museum raised funds through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and auction proceeds. An additional $62,000 was raised through in-kind contributions.

“It was a really special evening. There was so much generosity throughout the night. It was a great reflection of the people and organizations who have helped make the Museum what it is today,” said Carolyn Hyslop, executive director. “It was wonderful to see so many people come together for an evening that celebrated the Museum and its place in this community.”

Funds raised support the care of the Museum’s nationally significant collection, exhibitions, educational and cultural programming.

The event saw Museum supporters, community members, artists, makers and business leaders to celebrate the Museum’s work and its people. Janet McCue from Curve Lake First Nation opened the Gala with drumming, welcoming guests to the Museum.

Culinary stations throughout the Museum and Lakefront Campus featured offerings from Cheeky Duck Vineyard, Chemong Lodge, Flying Chestnut Kitchen, Love You, Mean It, MIJA Bakeshop, and Silver Bean Cafe, along with beverages from Little Miss Drinky Poo. Renowned pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo and award-winning local musician JJ Thompson rounded out the evening with performances.

A highlight of the evening was the expanded live and silent auctions, featuring a curated collection of one-of-a-kind artwork, tripping gear, dining gift cards, custom home decor and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This year, the auctions moved online, giving guests the opportunity to bid leading up to the event and throughout the evening from their personal devices.

The Museum also launched a Paddles Up campaign in support of its Youth Backcountry Tripping Program. With leadership support from The Lindsay Family Foundation, the museum received six new tripping canoes and twelve paddles to help build a dedicated fleet for the growing program. During the Gala, guests helped raise the funds for two additional canoes, bringing the fleet to eight.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is an amazing place, and our family strongly believes in the great work they do,” said Don Lindsay. “We’re delighted to support the Backcountry Canoe Tripping Program with six new canoes and help give young people the opportunity to experience the outdoors, build confidence and create lasting memories.”

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Mi’kmaq Canoe Builder Launches Handcrafted Birch Bark Canoe at Canadian Canoe Museum

By Scott Arnold

After spending three weeks building a traditional birch bark canoe in front of visitors, renowned Mi’kmaq artisan Todd Labrador has officially launched the finished canoe on the water at The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Launched in 2025, the Builders in Residence Program welcomes canoe and kayak builders, artists, and makers from across the country to share their skills, stories, and craftsmanship with Museum visitors (photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum)

Labrador, who was raised on the Wildcat Reservation in Queens County, Nova Scotia, is one of only a handful of people still practicing the traditional craft of Mi’kmaq birch bark canoe building. His residency gave visitors a rare chance to watch the canoe take shape while learning about the history, techniques and cultural significance behind the centuries-old tradition.

The launch also reunited the new canoe with another built by Labrador and his family several years ago for the Museum's collection. That 21-foot ocean-going birch bark canoe, complete with a sail, was created during the development of the Museum's new home and represents the Mi'kmaq tradition of ocean travel.

Labrador's residency was part of the Canadian Canoe Museum's Builders in Residence Program, which invites canoe and kayak builders, artists and makers from across Canada to share their knowledge and craftsmanship with visitors.

In addition to building canoes, Labrador is known for creating traditional baskets, hand drums and other Indigenous works, and has shared his skills across North America and internationally.

The Museum says the residency gave visitors the opportunity to do more than simply watch a canoe being built. They were able to meet Labrador, ask questions, and gain a deeper appreciation for a traditional craft that was once close to being lost.

Todd Labrador’s residency is the first to be supported through BMO’s $150,000 investment in The Canadian Canoe Museum’s Builders in Residence Program, which will help the Museum welcome Indigenous canoe makers over the next three years (photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum)

Labrador said he spent years reviving the Mi'kmaq birch bark canoe-building tradition after hearing stories from his father and great-grandfather, who was a canoe builder himself. He also reflected on his long relationship with The Canadian Canoe Museum, which began years ago with a phone call seeking advice about the pitch used to seal birch bark canoes.

The residency is the first to be supported through BMO's $150,000 investment in the Builders in Residence Program, funding that will help bring Indigenous canoe makers to the Museum over the next three years.

For more information about the Builders in Residence Program, visit the Canadian Canoe Museum's website.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough to Take Centre Stage on The Amazing Race Canada August 11th

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough and the Kawarthas will be in the national spotlight next month as The Amazing Race Canada brings local landmarks and destinations to screens across the country.

the amazing race canada host jon montgomery pictured at the canadian canoe museum in peterborough. an upcoming episode of the amazing race canada, airing august 11th, will feature contestants racing and competing at locations in the city (photo via instagram @cndncanoemuseum)

The secret is officially out.

After production crews and racers were spotted filming in Peterborough earlier this year, the Canadian Canoe Museum and Peterborough Tourism & The Kawarthas Tourism have confirmed that the city will be featured in an upcoming episode of The Amazing Race Canada.

The Peterborough episode will air Tuesday, August 11th at 9 p.m. EDT on CTV as part of Season 12 of the popular competition series.

Canadian canoe museum executive director carolyn hyslop holds up a clue card for the amazing race canada at beavermead beach in peterborough beside host jon montgomery (photo via instagram @cndncanoemuseum)

The episode, titled Episode 1205, will showcase Peterborough and the Kawarthas, highlighting local destinations and recognizable spots throughout the region as teams continue their race across Canada.

The Canadian Canoe Museum also confirmed it will be featured during the episode, giving viewers a chance to see one of Peterborough’s most unique attractions featured on national television.

the amazing race canada host jon montgomery on little lake in peterborough with a canoe provided by the canadian canoe museum ( (photo via instagram @ptbotourism)

The episode will be available to stream the following day on Crave.

Back in May, production sightings around the city sparked plenty of excitement among residents, with reported filming locations including Peterborough City Hall, Rogers Cove, Crary Park, Beavermead Park and the Canadian Canoe Museum.

canadian canoe museum curator jeremy ward showing a clue card alongside the amazing race canada host jon montgomery (photo via instagram @ptbotourism)

Now, viewers will finally get to see what challenges racers took on during their stop in Peterborough.

Tune in August 11th to see which local places you recognize and maybe discover a few new ones along the way.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Volunteer Peterborough to Honour Local Contributors With United to Thank Volunteers Event During National Volunteer Week

In honour of National Volunteer Week, Volunteer Peterborough is recognizing those who give time to strengthen our community with the United to Thank Volunteers event on April 22 at the Canadian Canoe Museum from 3 to 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Volunteer Peterborough.

This event will bring together community leaders, organizations and volunteers to recognize the extraordinary contributions of volunteers across the Peterborough region. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and are invited to take part in a complimentary self-guided tour of the Canadian Canoe Museum during the event.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our community,” said Tyler Chambers, Event Volunteer. “National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the incredible impact they make every single day. We are delighted that the United Way of Peterborough & District recognize the importance of celebrating volunteerism and have funded this event with one of its Neighbourhood Grants.”

Volunteer Peterborough is inviting local organizations to nominate their ‘Most Valuable Volunteers’ for recognition as part of the celebration. Nominations can be submitted online or by emailing names to info@volunteerpeterborough.ca.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Receives $150,000 Ontario Trillium Grant For Expansion of Volunteer Roles

The Canadian Canoe Museum received a $150,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) during its annual Volunteer Appreciation event earlier this year.

Photo courtesy of Justen Soule and the Canadian Canoe Museum.

The two-year grant has supported the Museum’s Volunteer Program at its new waterfront location and helps strengthen connections across the Peterborough area and beyond according to a press release.

“The Resilient Communities Fund was designed to help vital organizations like the Canadian Canoe Museum adapt and thrive during major change,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This $150,000 in support has allowed the Museum to completely rebuild its volunteer structure, train new roles, and welcome back its dedicated team after a pause. I am incredibly proud that our government, through the OTF, is supporting the passionate volunteers who are so essential to the Museum's continued success.”

The grant supported the hiring of a Volunteer Coordinator and the development of several new key volunteer roles. These new positions - including Visitor Services Attendant, Exhibition Attendant, Cleaning Support, Lakefront Campus Attendant, Tour Guide, and Event Support. The mony also allowed the Museum to purchase equipment and provide training, networking and learning opportunities.

“This generous support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been transformational for our volunteer program during a time of exciting growth and change,” said Carolyn Hyslop, Canadian Canoe Museum executive director. “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and this grant has allowed us to build the structure, training, and support needed to help them thrive in our new home. We are deeply grateful to OTF for helping us strengthen our community—paddling forward together with purpose and connection.”

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CP24 Breakfast to Broadcast in Peterborough For National Canoe Day This Thursday

To kick off canoeing season in style, Toronto morning news show CP24 Breakfast is broadcasting live from Peterborough on National Canoe Day this Thursday.

National Canoe Day events at The Canadian Canoe Museum will include voyageur canoe tours, a book launch, the museum’s Annual General Meeting, and a festive atmosphere stretching from the Exhibition Hall to the docks. File Photo.

The special broadcast is the result of a collaborative effort between Peterborough Tourism, the City’s destination marketing program, and Destination Ontario. Featured segments will highlight the Canadian Canoe Museum, the Trent–Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada, luxury canal cruising company Le Boat, and Peterborough’s vibrant downtown culinary scene.

The broadcast is part of a day-long celebration of National Canoe Day, with festivities taking place at The Canadian Canoe Museum. It also builds on recent international attention garnered by both the museum and the Trent–Severn Waterway, as featured in The New York Times and Time Magazine. 

“Previous councils have supported The Canadian Canoe Museum for many great reasons. Local support has been essential for securing additional funding and in order to share this unique attraction with the world,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “This is an incredible opportunity to celebrate our community’s deep connection to water and canoeing culture. Credit goes to all those whose vision and tenacity brought this to life.” 

The Canadian Canoe Museum continues to attract visitors to the city, creating opportunities for other tourism assets in Peterborough, including arts and culture, year-round events and a dynamic downtown with diverse dining options, to share the spotlight.

“In many ways, The Canadian Canoe Museum has anchored an attraction corridor that is accessible by both land and water,” said Councillor Alex Bierk. “This live broadcast gives us the opportunity to celebrate that unique access. We look forward to showcasing our city to new and returning visitors this summer and fall.”

CP24 Breakfast will air live from Peterborough on Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. and will be available on television and via livestream at cp24.com. 

“There’s no better place to celebrate National Canoe Day than at The Canadian Canoe Museum!” said Carolyn Hyslop, Canadian Canoe Museum executive director. “This year marks our first full season at the water’s edge, and we are thrilled to kick off our busy summer season by welcoming visitors for a day filled with paddling, storytelling, and community connection. These celebrations also coincide with hosting our second Builder in Residence, Pinock, who is constructing an Algonquin birch bark canoe in the Living Traditions Centre.” 

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Trent-Severn Waterway Listed In New York Times's '52 Places to Go in 2025'

Peterborough and the Kawarthas have garnered attention from the New York Times as the Trent-Severn Waterway was listed as one of their ‘52 Places to Go in 2025.’

Photo courtesy of Justen Soule and the Canadian Canoe Museum.

The article highlights the 240-mile Trent-Severn Waterway, where its rivers, lakes and canals go from one end of Ontario to the other, connecting Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay.

A few organizations and companies have been featured in the article.

Author AnneLise Sorensen gives her main highlight to the Canadian Canoe Museum with its new 65,000-square-foot lakefront. The museum is known to have the most extensive collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft worldwide.

“The museum exhibits styles from across Canada — showcasing them in a curved building inspired by, yes, the canoe — and honours the vessel’s Indigenous legacy,” said Sorensen. “The waterway is also undergoing a multiyear revitalization project, which includes retrofitting its monumental hydraulic lift locks, among the highest in the world.”

Boat rental company Le Boat, 100 Acre Brewing Co. and BeaverTails also had honourable mentions in the article.

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City Receives Nearly $3 Million From OLG As Gaming Revenue Share

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has provided $2,973,019 to the City of Peterborough in the 2024 Fiscal Year as its share of gaming revenue from Shorelines Casino Peterborough as a host community, in a cheque presentation at the Canadian Canoe Museum on Tuesday afternoon.

Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received $13,844,047. Municipal government members and OLG representatives with the check of over $2.9 million from hosting Shorelines Casino. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is an integral part of our City and an integral part of our culture and heritage,” Mayor Leal said. “Being a casino host community allows us to reinvest OLG revenue in areas where it will support residents and help our city grow.”

According to a press release, in 2023/24, the City used the funding from Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) for investments such as planting trees, improving trails and the cycling network, building a splash pad, and contributing to the Canadian Canoe Museum’s capital campaign.

“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the City of Peterborough,” said Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Municipal Relations Manager. “Each and every year, 100% of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Peterborough and all across our province to build stronger communities. When you play at an Ontario casino, like Shorelines Casino Peterborough, you play for Ontario.”

The City of Peterborough is contributing $4 million toward the Canoe Museum’s capital campaign to support the construction of the new museum that opened on Ashburnham Drive, next to Little Lake, in May. The City used $500,000 from its OLG revenue in 2023/24 to fund part of its contribution to the Canadian Canoe Museum as stated by a press release.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Set to Open In of Winter Next Year

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) is planning to open in the winter of next year, followed by a grand opening celebration in May announced on Wednesday morning.

Carolyn Hyslop, Canoe Museum Executive Director at the Exhibition Hall. Photo courtesy of he Canadian Canoe Museum.

The new museum's unveiling — which was to take place this fall — has been delayed due to nationwide construction industry issues according to a press release.

Once the facility opens, the museum will officially celebrate after the ice melts by launching canoes into the water.

“I am thrilled to announce that we will welcome our supporters to the new museum and campus the weekend of May 11th for our grand opening celebrations,” said Carolyn Hyslop, CCM executive director. “While the pandemic and its impacts on the construction industry have affected our timeline, it has not affected the spirit and enthusiasm for this project. It will be worth the wait when visitors can explore this beautiful facility and our many new offerings and then continue to the lakefront for a memorable paddling experience.”

The weekend of May 11th will have donors, partners, members, volunteers and dignitaries gather to celebrate the grand opening of the new museum and Lang Lakefront Campus which coincides with the start of the paddling season. The day also marks the launch of the CCM’s full visitor experience with on-water activities to honour Canada’s enduring paddling legacy as stated by CCM. A schedule of events will be released closer to the date.

The new museum will have 20,000 square feet of new exhibits featuring stories from around the world at their own pace or on a guided tour, Collection Hall, artisan workshops and food and drink from the Silver Bean Café.

A multipurpose room is available to rent for community and corporate meetings, conferences, events and weddings.

During the spring, the Lang Lakefront Campus will have space for on-water programming. There will be daily 90-minute Voyageur canoe tours that will offer a group paddling experience, while canoe and kayak rentals will be available for self-guided adventures. Children’s day camps, adult paddling courses and backcountry canoe trips will also run throughout the summer months.

There are 100 canoes and kayaks being moved into the new Exhibition Hall.

“Moving this first portion of the collection into its new home was an incredible moment in this organization’s history,” said Jeremy Ward, CCM Curator. “This collection is unlike any other worldwide and has been recognized for its national significance to this country. Now, it finally has a home befitting it. It was certainly an emotional moment for myself and our team.”

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, granted patronage to the CCM last year. In 2013, the Senate declared the CCM and its collection a cultural asset of national significance.

The remaining 500 watercraft are being moved to the new museum over the next two to three months.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Begins the Historic Move of Over 600 Watercraft and Artifacts

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) is preparing to relocate its entire collection from its current landlocked location to a new waterfront campus across the City; inviting the public to support through new fundraising campaign ‘Move the Collection: The Final Portage.’

photo courtesy of the canadian canoe museum, facebook.

The campaign is led by avid paddling enthusiasts and local community leaders Mike Judson and Neil Morton. As a symbolic gesture of the forthcoming move of the entire collection, the two will portage a symbolic canoe throughout Peterborough, from the current museum to its new 65,000-square-foot home for the campaign's duration, which will release videos at different milestones.

The CCM’s collection consists of more than 600 canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft (ranging up to 53’ long and weighing up to 1,500 pounds), hundreds of small artifacts and a library and archive. The collection was declared a cultural asset of national significance by the Senate in 2013.

The CCM has spent more than two years carefully preparing the collection for its upcoming relocation, cleaning and packing each artifact to ensure the utmost care during the move. The Museum has been temporarily closed since September 2022 to allow staff to remove artifacts on exhibit for the past two decades. When the new museum opens, it will also feature new exhibits, promising an enhanced and immersive visitor experience, including canoes and kayaks that have never been on public display.

McWilliams Moving and Storage has partnered with the CCM as its official mover of the collection.

“McWilliams Moving and Storage has been part of the CCM family since its inception with the first portage of museum artifacts from Dorset, Ontario, to Peterborough over two decades ago. We are honoured to continue this tradition as the Official Movers of the CCM and complete the final portage to a new architectural and cultural landmark in the city of Peterborough,” says Dan McWilliams, president of McWilliams Moving & Storage. “Having the opportunity to pack and transport these pieces of Canadian heritage allows us to be part of the journey and story of this national icon in our great City.”

As part of The Final Portage campaign, the CCM is releasing a series of videos and behind-the-scenes content this summer and fall featuring Mike Judson and Neil Morton portaging an iconic red canvas canoe past recognizable landmarks in Peterborough.

This will allow the public to follow the fundraising campaign’s progress while building excitement for the Museum’s reopening, anticipated this fall. To view the first video, visit the Canadian Canoe Museum website.

“Moving a collection of this size and scale in the span of months is no small feat for our team and supporters,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director of the CCM. “This move represents a pivotal moment in our museum's history. By relocating to the waterfront, we will not only enhance the accessibility and visibility of this extraordinary collection but also create a transformative experience for our visitors. We are inviting donors and sponsors to be a part of this monumental move and help us bring the legacy of paddled watercraft to a wider audience.”

“Canoeing is one of my great passions in life, and seeing this national treasure move to the water’s edge in this community I adore is a dream,” says Neil Morton, one of the campaign's Lead Portagers. “It’s fantastic to be a part of The Final Portage campaign and this historic moment with my fellow Lead Portager Mike Judson as we help carry this to the finish line!”

Surrounded by public parks, the Museum’s new home is located on a five-acre site at 2077 Ashburnham Drive that provides west-facing views of Little Lake and a connection to the Trans Canada Trail along the water’s edge in Peterborough. The purpose-built facility on the water, with an array of indoor and outdoor spaces, will allow the Museum to deliver on its mission in inspiring new ways. It will become a community space for outdoor activities, including the Museum’s canoeing and outdoor programs and events.

“Supporting initiatives like the Museum's historic move is an investment in preserving our shared heritage and cultural legacy. By contributing to this endeavour, we actively steward invaluable artifacts and ensure their accessibility to future generations,” continues Hyslop. “Institutions like ours serve as gateways to knowledge, inspiration, and understanding, and it is through your support that we enable the continued celebration and exploration of our collective history.”

The CCM invites donors and sponsors to join them in preserving history and shaping the future by supporting the campaign. Contributions will play a vital role in ensuring the safe and successful relocation of the world's largest and most significant collection of paddled watercraft.

Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Rose Terry, philanthropy associate, via email.

To donate to the Canadian Canoe Museum, visit the link.

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