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With its wealth of creative people, it’s not surprising that Owen Sound is the cultural capital of the region. Art galleries and studios, historic museums and heritage homes, studio tours, theatre, symphony, live concerts and more take place all year long.
Art Gallery & Museums
- Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery: The Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery houses an excellent permanent exhibition of memorabilia and artwork by the celebrated Canadian painter, Tom Thomson, who grew up in Leith, just north of Owen Sound. The Gallery manages a growing collection of historical and contemporary Canadian Art, including a wonderful representation of Thomson’s colleagues, the Group of Seven. Visit the Gallery to see exhibits of contemporary art by regional and national artists. Admission by donation.
840 First Avenue West Phone: (519) 376-1932 Email: ttmag@e-owensound.com
Hours of Operation:
September to June:
Tuesday – Friday, 11 am to 5 pm
Wednesday, 11 am to 9 pm
Saturday/Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm
July and August:
Monday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Wednesday, 10 am to 9 pm
Sunday, 12 noon to 5 pm - Grey Roots Museum & Archives: Come experience the people and communities of Grey County’s past and present at this exciting new facility. Grey Roots combines Grey County’s Museum, Archives and Tourism Services through permanent and nationally touring exhibits, archival and genealogical resources, theatre, café, gift shop, events and more! Tourism Services rounds out the experience as a gateway of information to the many natural wonders of the region. Admission Fee
102599 Grey Road 18 (2 kms west of Rockford) Phone: (519) 376-3690 or 1-800-567-4739 Email: info@greyroots.com
Hours of Operation:
Summer: Seven-days-a-week from 10 am to 5 pm
Labour Day to the Victoria Day weekend: Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 1pm – 5pm -
Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum: Owen Sound played a role in the development of Ontario, and in the opening up of Western Canada. The Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum preserves the history of marine and rail transportation in the area. Located in the historic CN station on the waterfront, it features exquisite ship models by skilled artisans, along with CNR and CPR memorabilia, and temporary special exhibits each season. The building is wheelchair accessible and has free parking beside the beautifully landscaped walkway along the harbour. The gift shop offers a variety of museum memorabilia to remember your visit. School tours and group rates can be arranged. Admission Fee
1155 1st Avenue West Phone: (519) 371-3333 Email: marinerail.museum@e-owensound.com
Hours of Operation:
Thanksgiving to May Long Weekend:
Tuesday to Friday: 10 am to 4 pm
Weekends: 11 am to 3 pm
June to Thanksgiving
Monday to Sunday: 10 am to 4 pm -
Billy Bishop Heritage Museum: A late-Victorian brick house near Owen Sound’s downtown core preserves the boyhood home and memory of one of Canada’s greatest pilots and most decorated serviceman. Memorabilia from peace time and both World Wars are displayed in the exquisitely furnished Victorian home, including pictures of planes, battles, flying suits and a model of the Avro Arrow. Special exhibits throughout the year include a memorable Victorian Christmas. A gift shop has books, cards, model kits, prints and much more. School tours and group discounts can be arranged. Admission Fee
948 3rd Avenue West Phone: (519) 371-0031 Email: info@billybishop.org
Hours of Operation:
September to June:
Tuesday to Sunday, 12 noon to 4 pm
July & August:
Daily, 10 am to 4 pm
Closed the month of January
Closed on weekends in February
Other times by appointment -
Owen Sound’s Black History: The history of Owen Sound is incomplete without mention of its Black settlers, who were part of the community at its inception. Owen Sound was the last terminal of the Underground Railroad, the route slaves fleeing from the Southern states took to Canada. Blacks in Owen Sound were employed in a variety of occupations. According to the 1872 Census, 672 people of African- descent lived in Owen Sound, making up 10% of the City’s population. Today, only a handful of Black families make Owen Sound their home.
Since 1862, Emancipation Day has been celebrated in Owen Sound; the Emancipation Celebration Picnic occurs annually on the first weekend on August. In 2004, a Cairn was unveiled in Harrison Park to remember the men and women who risked their lives to settle here in Freedom.
Email: cairn@e-owensound.comRelated Links:
Black History Cairn Project
B.M.E. Church
Emancipation Celebration Picnic -
Freedom Trail - Much of Owen Sound’s Black History is briefly explained by following this 10-kilometre self-guided Walking/Biking Route – places where former slaves and their descendents lived, worked, prayed and were laid to rest, plus our community’s memorials to their struggles.
Other Cultural Attractions
- Artists’ Co-op: Take home affordable, high quality Canadian art from the Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op, a treasure trove of unique items produced by members of our thriving arts community: paintings, pottery, wood turnings, photography, jewelery, metal sculpture, glass, origami, greeting cards, candles, folk art, dried floral arrangements, stainless steel table-wear, weaving and hand-painted silk. Visit the Artists’ Co-op year-round in downtown Owen Sound in the historic Chicago Building.
- Farmers’ Market: The Owen Sound Farmer’s Market comes alive each Saturday morning, from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., year-round. It features locally grown meat, fish and fresh produce, along with a wide assortment of delicious, prepared foods and unique handicrafts, from soaps and socks to leatherwork and aromatic pillows. Located in downtown Owen Sound, centered between City Hall and the river, the market has ample parking and is wheelchair accessible. The building itself – originally a private waterworks – is one of the city’s most identifiable historic landmarks. It’s been known as the “market building” since its transformation in 1936. The market is run as a non-profit co-operative.
- Roxy Theatre: Air-conditioned and seating 400, the Roxy Theatre in downtown Owen Sound is the cultural kingpin of Grey-Bruce, playing host to a stellar lineup of concert and stage presentations year-round. The Owen Sound Little Theatre, distinguished across the province for excellence in amateur theatre, delights audiences of all ages with their varied annual program.
251 9th Street East Box Office Phone: (519) 371-2833 or toll free 1-888-466-7699 Email: roxy@bmts.com - Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library.
Founded in 1855 as the Owen Sound Mechanics Institute, it has grown into a full services public library incorporating unique architectural highlights. This outstanding structure is a renovated Carnegie building dating from 1914 with a 1970s addition. Ramps and passenger elevator make the library fully accessible. Metered parking is available across the street from the Library along the Sydenham River on First Avenue West next to Queens Park. 824 First Avenue West, Owen Sound ON N4K 4K4 (519) 376-6623Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 9 am 9 pm
Saturday: 9 am 5 pm
Sunday: 2 pm 5 pm
Holiday closings as posted. Check the web site or telephone the library. - Studio Tours: Artists and artisans in all mediums will open your eyes to the bounty of fine art found across the city and region. Many have collaborated to organize special studio tours for local residents and visitors alike.Be sure to visit Owen Sound in August for the Art Town Studio Tour, or tour the region in early October for the Autumn Leaves Studio Tour and then again, on Thanksgiving Weekend for two studio tours, Artists Around the Sound and the Escarpment Studio Tour.
