St. Catharines Museum

Located at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal, the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre welcomes you to explore the history of St. Catharines and the Welland Canals. Watch as ships work their way through the canal. Enjoy our amenities, including our gift shop and snack bar or stroll, bike or rollerblade along the Recreations Trail.

Explore St. Catharines' History

Wander through our galleries and explore the fascinating story of the building of the Welland Canals and the city that grew up around them.

Follow the path of the fugitive slaves as they fled to freedom in Canada on the Underground Railroad and the rich legacy they created as they made a new life in Canada.

In our outdoor Discovery Park, learn how the locks work and compare the size of the original Welland Canal locks to today's engineering marvel!

Stroll the grounds and spend some time watching the ships as they navigate their way through the Welland Canal. Witness this engineering marvel in action!

See What's New

Find out how St. Cathariners have survived the winter through the ages at Cabin Fever: Winter in St. Catharines.

Click here to learn more about these exhibits

Teachers: Take an Educational Journey with Your Class 

 

Learning adventures at the Museum link directly with Ontario's Ministry of Education curriculum requirements. Our skilled docents like children, they love history and their mission is to connect your class to the past in the spirit of discovery and fun!

Edukits

It's like getting your own Museum expert in a box!

Relax in the comfort of your own classroom and take the Museum to the school. Our education kits are guaranteed to liven up your classroom environment and enhance the learning experience of your students.

The Program

Education Kits are hands-on, object-oriented educational resources and, most importantly, they're fun! They come in a variety of topics based upon the common core curriculum. 

Click here to visit Museum Programs and to learn more about our Edukits

Shop

 Browse through Merrit's Mercantile where you  can find that perfect gift for the history buff or the lover of all things nautical. Our gift shop offers an eclectic mix of books, Canadiana, souvenirs and seasonal gifts for everyone on your list. 

 Don't forget to drop in and pick up your "Christmas Story" inspired gifts!

 

Find History of Your Choosing

The St. Catharines Museum library/archives comprises both reference and archival material of local historical significance with particular focus on St. Catharines and the four Welland Canals. Researchers will find material about local families, black history, buildings and monuments, business and industries, communication and transportation, the community, government and human services, the military, sports and the arts. Our holdings also include city directories, maps, insurance plans and an extensive collection of photographs, copies of which are available for purchase.

A dedicated group of volunteers assists with filing, retrieving reference materials and answering research requests (a fee may apply).

Researchers can also visit the St. Catharines Public Library website where an advanced search will indicate if a specific book is located at the centre. Please note that research centre books must be used on site and cannot be checked out.

The research centre is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. or by special arrangement.

Click here to visit the St. Catharines Public Library

Facility Rentals

Be it for meetings or get-togethers, the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is a unique place to hold events.

What's available?

• Lockview Lounge (Capacity of more than 150 people): $32.25/hour (including HST)
• Burgoyne Room (Capacity of 56 to 150 people): $26.25/hour (including HST)

Click here for a facilities rental request form Click here for the general terms and conditions for facility rentals