North Bay Museum
100 Ferguson Street P1B 1W8 North Bay, ON, Canada

In honour of #BlackHistoryMonth, we are sharing a section of the Local Characters segment exhibit from the Mattawa Museum. Dr. Saint-Firmin Monestime was a Haitian-Canadian politician and medical doctor. He moved to Canada in 1945 and by 1951, he established a medical clinic in Mattawa. In 1963 he was elected mayor of the municipality, making him the first black mayor in Canada. He is remembered and honoured for his many contributions to Mattawa. Follow the link below to le...arn more about Dr. Saint-Firmin Monestime. https://mattawamuseum.ca//loca/dr-saint-firmin-monestime/

For #traintuesday we are sharing a photo by William Forder of the Canadian National Railway (CNR) Engine #2488 at the Cassells Street Bridge, 1953. A few businesses are visible under the bridge, across from the present day Burrows Garden Centre (on the corner of Cassells Street and 3rd Avenue West). These businesses include Charlie’s Lunch Restaurant and Jackson’s Shell Service station.

Artifact of the Month: North Bay’s Oldest Violin For 2021 we will be starting a new series profiling a different object each month as our "artifact of the month". At 236 years old, this violin is one of the oldest artifacts currently on display at the North Bay Museum. The North Bay Nugget reported that North Bay’s oldest violin was played on the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario’s float during the 1925 Old Home Week parade. The violin is visible being played in the centre o...f the first section of the float, in the attached image. Museum staff believe that the violin currently on display may be the same violin that was played during Old Home Week. According to a label stitched to its case, the violin was made March 1st, 1785 and repaired in 1855 before being repaired again in Dec. 1936 by J. Thurlow, North Bay, Ont. The violin was owned by Simon Saya who received it from his mother in law Mrs. John Barker. After being passed down through the family for generations, the violin was donated to the North Bay Museum in 1980. Conservation work was completed to ensure the violin could safely be displayed. While this month's artifact is from the museum collection, community members can also contribute photos and stories for consideration for the artifact of the month by sending submissions to [email protected] .

Love is in the air this weekend! For #flashbackfriday we are sharing this photo of Flora and Alexander Carr Souter enjoying New Ontario Brewing Co. Beverages as part of a picnic date prior to the First World War. Whether you are spending the weekend with a loved one, a friend, or just your pets, we hope you take time to relax and enjoy the long weekend. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Did you guess the #traintuesday artifact correctly? It's a ... telegraph key! The most prominent form of early communication on the railway included the use of Morse code. Telegraph operators, or translators, would have used these telegraph keys to receive station to station messages. These messages would have been recorded and handed to the recipient. Messages intended for locomotives passing by the station were recorded and placed in a mail hoop. This hoop was then carried by the station operator to the platform where a crewman would grab the message while the train was still moving!

Today for #traintuesday we are doing something a little bit different and combining it with a 'guess the artifact' game! Can you guess the artifact in the picture? Stay tuned and we'll post the answer later on today!

For #traintuesday , we are sharing a photo of locomotives lined up in the Ontario Northland Yards. Train buffs may recognize two different Ontario Northland paint schemes represented in this photo taken by photographer William Forder in 1971. In the early 1950’s, the Ontario Northland Railway took delivery of 22 engines painted in what was known as traditional paint scheme, a dark green and yellow, like the passenger engine on the right.... These engines were joined in the mid to late 1950’s by four new road switcher engines numbered in the 1400’s, including the engine in the centre of this photo. In 1966, the ONR changed their corporate image to the progressive scheme of dark green and white, here shown on engine 1521 (on the left). Very few engines were painted in this scheme because of poorer visibility at railroad track crossings. *We currently have ONR model trains, in both paint schemes mentioned above, available in our gift shop. We also carry a wide variety of other model trains, landscaping materials, and railway memorabilia. To place an order for curbside pick up, or to inquire about gift shop items, please email [email protected] *

Each weekday NUSU and NU BASE are highlighting influential Black Canadians as part of their Time To Educate initiative for Black History Month. We encourage you to take the time to watch these videos, including the video focused on Dr. Desmond Anthony below. https://fb.watch/3x8LmXBjLx/

*Update* Due to the provincial lockdown, the North Bay Museum will be closed until at least Wednesday, January 27th. Thank you for your continued support, stay safe everyone!

For #flashbackfriday we are sharing some photos taken by photographer William Forder while enjoying outdoor activities in the North Bay area circa 1940-1960. Despite everything going on in the world, the weather is looking good for this weekend and hiking trails and rinks are open!

Our holiday hours for 2020!

Today we are sharing an interior photo from the Winnipeg Hotel taken in 1905. Visitors to the North Bay CPR station could walk across the road to the Winnipeg Hotel which was one of several hotels in the area. The hotel was later renamed the King George Hotel and the building in now occupied by Oak East Eatery (right across the road from the museum at the corner of Oak and Ferguson).

For #WayBackWednesdays we are sharing photos from the Forder Collection and the Elston Collection of North Bay residents enjoying the holidays. Happy Holidays from our staff and volunteers!

North Bay skating rinks open this weekend! This photo of Wilfred "Bud" Courchesne skating at a local skating carnival in 1959 with Lorna Edwards was printed in the North Bay Figure Skating Club Annual Year Book. Courchesne served in the First World War and spent most of his career working for the CPR.... He became interested in figure skating after his daughters, Joan and Claire, had been members of the North Bay Figure Skating Club for a few years. Courchesne decided at age 50 to trade his hockey skates for figure skates and learned to ice dance with only a few professional lessons. He learned the various ice dances from instruction books and worked out the dance steps on a small backyard rink. He occasionally asked for help from his daughter Claire who by this time was a professional instructor. By the time he was in his early sixties, billed as The Old Smoothie, he was frequently invited as a guest skater in carnivals, usually to dance with the club professional of the host club. Thanks to Claire McGhee for sharing this information and the donation of Wilfred "Bud" Courchesne's First World War artifacts to the North Bay Museum. We will be adding a small exhibit profiling Courchesne in the new year!

For #FlashbackFriday we are posting photos taken from the same spot on Main Street East circa 1950 and 2020. Several familiar local businesses can be spotted. In 1950:... - Loblaws was located within what is now the Moose's Cookhouse. - Barnes Wines, Steve's Pool Room & Billiards, and the Nipissing Fur Co. were located in the Colgan-Liddle Building. -The Arcadian Grill was located in the former home of the Nutty Chocolatier/Vested Interest. - Tambyln Drugs was located in the current home of the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre

North Bay Celebrates is open all winter at the North Bay Museum!

Be sure to check out Capitol Centre Hops & Vines Virtual Auction! They have some amazing items to bid on (including a package from the North Bay Museum and Heritage Railway & Carousel)!

Black Friday Save the Tax Sale! On all sales!* This Friday, November 27th 10am-5pm Get some shopping done locally with lots of unique gift ideas! All funds raised support the North Bay Museum operations and programming. ... Not applicable with any other discount. Hand sanitizer must be used and masks must be worn in store. Curbside pick available by emailing [email protected] or calling 705-476-2323 *excludes museum admission #shoplocal #northbay #shopnorthbay #downtownnorthbay #museum #giftshop #giftideas #christmas #blackfriday

We had some lovely vendors upstairs today and they will be back tomorrow from 10am - 2pm!! Come say hello, shop local, and get some amazing items! Covid protocols are in place. @support_themakers ... Knotty Plants @ohmybo Corbeil Crafters @amys.esthetics LaveryLounge Ill Jill Designs @usbornebookswithjosie @rustyfoxstudio @cossetandflare Balloons by @tickledteals #shoplocal #christmas #christmasgifts #chrismasshopping #northbay #northbayontario #northernontario

Nov 2-6 is #TreatiesRecognitionWeek, an opportunity to recognize and honour the continued relevance and importance of treaties in our lives. Nipissing First Nation Administration has shared many important resources through their Facebook page this week, and we encourage you to explore these links to learn more.

I feel the need, the need for speed Revell and Airfix have both released Top Gun aircraft models this year! And we have them available at the North Bay Museum Gift Shop! The Revell models are their easy-click system and require no paint or glue! ... The Airfix models require paint and glue. Both are available in the gift shop, as well as brushes. All funds raised in the gift shop go towards supporting museum operations and programming. Curbside pick-up options available! In store shopping available Wednesday - Friday 12-5pm, and Saturday 10am - 3pm. #talktomegoose #topgun #northbaymuseum #northbay #downtown #maverick #goose #aircraftmodel #airfix #revell #shoplocal

For #FlashbackFriday we are sharing a photo circa 1900 taken on McIntyre Street west behind the Cochrane Dunlop Hardware Store. The photo was included in a calendar created in 1975 to celebrate 50 years since North Bay was incorporated as a city.

The North Bay Museum is pleased to present our new exhibit "North Bay Celebrates!" The bilingual exhibit includes photos and artifacts from past events including North Bay’s Old Home Week, Dominion Day Celebrations, Snow Frolic, Le Carnaval des Compagnons, Winter Fur Carnival, Winter Carnival, Heritage Festival, and Ice Follies. The exhibit was compiled from the museum’s permanent collection and from contributions by community members, event organizers and local photographers.... The exhibit is being held at a time when many local celebrations are on hold or scaled down, providing an opportunity to reflect on past events and think about the future. The museum is open from 12-5 from Wednesday to Friday and 10-3 on Saturdays and the exhibit will be open all fall and winter.

For #FlashbackFriday we are sharing a photo of Main Street West looking east from Fraser Street circa approximately 1950. We can spot many well known downtown buildings: On the North side of the street we have North Bay's original Post Office, Richardson's Hardware, Eaton's, Deegan's Shoes, Jack Bradford's Men's and Boy's Wear, McCubbin's, Cochrane Dunlop Hardware, Tip Top Tailors Ltd, and more.... On the South side of the street we have TM Palmer's Jewellers, Stan Richardson Hardware, Himmel's Ladies' Ware and more.

For today's #FlashbackFriday we are sharing photos taken at the Laurentian Ski Club in 1947 by William Forder. The Laurentian Ski Club formed in 1925 at what was then the McLeod family farm. Ski Jumps and Chalets were built and re-built on the site numerous times, and in 1947 the Laurentian Ski Club purchased the land. Ski season is just around the corner!

These students in costume from McIntryre Street Public School in the 1930s look Halloween-ready! Stay safe and have fun this weekend North Bay! Happy Halloween from the North Bay Museum! ... #FlashbackFriday

We are excited to welcome @support_themakers and some lovely vendors for a Christmas Market this weekend! Shop local and finish off your Christmas shopping all in one spot! The vendors will be located upstairs at the museum on Saturday and Sunday. Covid protocols in place and listed above. ... #northbaymuseum #shoplocal #shopdowntown #downtownnorthbay #christmasmarket #northernontario #northbaymakers #makersgonnamake

Join us while we explore North Bay's haunted past on a haunted downtown walk. We are now full for tonight, but spaces are available for October 23rd & October 30th! Call 705-476-2323 to book your spot.

As we celebrate Remembrance Day, we took a look back at the North Bay celebrations planned for VE Day. This North Bay Nugget was printed on May 7th, 1945 with an outline of events planned for May 8th. A list of North Bay's decorated heroes was included in the paper along with a list of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. #LestWeForget #CanadaRemembers

For #FlashbackFriday we are posting an image of Main Street West by photographer William Forder. We were able to date this photo to approximately 1957 by the fact that Liggett's Drug Store has been established while the historic Post Office building (torn down to make way for Kresge's in 1958) is still visible in the background on the right. Other visible businesses on the north side of the street include Smith Drugs, Woolworth's, Cochrane Dunlop Hardware, the Bank of Nova Scotia, and Tip Top Tailors. On the south side of the street we can spot the Royal Bank, the Rosenberg block, and the Cresent Finance Corporation.

She’s back. Although we’ve had to make some adjustments to our Haunted Hikes this year, they are still going ahead every Friday night in October! Spaces are limited so please call ahead to reserve your spot - 705.476.2323. ... #hauntedhike #northbay #downtownnorthbay #museum #history #halloween

For #flashbackfriday we are posting photos from the "Big Dig" on Main Street in 1983. Over 14,000 square meters of interlocking concrete pavement was completed on a 1 km section of downtown North Bay over 7 months of construction. The project was affectionately known as the "Big Dig".

For #flashbackfriday we are posting photos taken on Main Street North Bay circa 1912. The first photo was taken just past the Cochrane Dunlop Hardware building (which had recently been constructed) looking west with familiar building like the North Bay Post Office, Richardson's and Deegan's in the background. The second photo is a postcard showing the same area taken looking east from the Post Office.

Thank you Dive Buddies 4 Life for dropping off their NEW fin-tastic colouring book ‘Sharks, Turtles & Underwater Things’ Swim in and grab your copy today! Stay jaw-some.

We have some great Pendleton throws, blankets, and kids blankets available in our store. Perfect for your home, cottage, or as a unique gift! All purchases made in our gift shop support museum operations and programs. @pendletonwm

For #flashbackfriday we are posting an exterior shot circa 1940 and an interior shot circa 1900 from the Mackey House Hotel. Constructed in 1886 by George Fee and J.J. Mackey, the Mackey House hotel was a large two story white frame building, extending from Oak Street to Main Street, and siding on Ferguson Street. The hotel was one of several constructed near the Canadian Pacific Station to cater to those travelling by rail. On February 18, 1945, the Mackey House block was devastated by a fire that started in one of the upstairs bedrooms. It was the third major fire of the year in the city. At the time of the fire, there were a wide variety of businesses operating out of the building.

Did you know we have a huge selection of model planes and paints? If you’re looking for a unique gift, a new hobby, or looking to add to your collection, check out the museum gift shop for model planes, starter sets, brushes, Tamiya paints, and Humbrol paints! #shoplocal #modelairplane #northbay #museum #downtownnorthbay #giftshop #planestrainsandautomobiles

It's that spooky time of the year again! Although we are still running our Haunted Hikes this year, they will look a little different. - Hikes will run every Friday in October at 6:00pm - There will be a maximum of 2 groups and 10 people per walk to ensure physical distancing ... - For groups of up to 5, the cost is $35 - For groups of 6 - 10, the cost is $60 - Walk-ins will not be accepted - Additional hikes may be added due to demand or by request upon staff availability (tour by request is $60) If you have any questions or would like to book your spot, please call 705-476-2323!

We’re in the movies! We will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 11th, 2020 for filming (because Santa is coming!! ) Be sure to visit us Saturday between 9am - 2pm!

Angèle and Jill have been hard at work this summer taking on the chain reaction/Rube Goldberg challenge from Science North! After trial and error they successfully flipped the switch to turn on our BIG train! Now it's your turn to go full steam ahead and create your own chain reaction! Find some tips in the PDF linked below and be sure to tag us in your Rube Goldberg contraption video! https://drive.google.com//1E62osrGgPKvcePCLAqxrzW_gl/view