- 52 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON, N1H 4H8
- Tel: 519-836-1221
- Website | Email | Directions | Map
Overview
Guelph’s stories live here!
Guelph Museums includes Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House National Historic Site, and Locomotive 6167.
At the heart of Guelph in the former Loretto Convent, Guelph Civic Museum showcases Guelph’s history through permanent and changing exhibits, a fun and interactive families gallery and special events and activities. The historic 1850s building, atop the hill at Norfolk Street and beside the landmark Church of Our Lady, is home for a collection of over 40,000 artifacts that illustrate the rich history of Guelph.
A short drive away, McCrae House National Historic Site, located at 108 Water Street, is the birthplace of Lt. Col. John McCrae, doctor, soldier and author of "In Flanders Fields." Exhibitions provide information about his upbringing in Guelph, his medical career, his artistic pursuits, his adventures, and his military service. The atmosphere at the house and grounds is one of reflection and contemplation, enhanced by engaging programs including outdoor tea and theatre programs during the summer.
Locomotive 6167 was built in 1940, one of 203 "Northern" locomotives used by Canadian National Railways for passenger and freight service. After being retired from active service, the locomotive was gifted to the City of Guelph in 1967. It has been lovingly restored by volunteers, and can be viewed at its Farquhar Street location near downtown Guelph's transportation hub.
Website: www.guelphmuseums.ca
Type: Community Museum | Historic Building
Hours & Fees
- Civic Museum, 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, year-round McCrae House National Historic Site, 1 to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, from June through November; 1 to 5 pm Wednesdays and by appointment, from December through May
- Adults $6.00 Children under 4 admitted free Families (2 adults and 4 children maximum) $18.00 Admission fees provide access to Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House National Historic Site.
Insider's Look
Jockstrap
Guelph claims many firsts but this is one of our most important inventions, not only for Guelph but for athletes around the world.Joseph Cartledge started the Guelph Elastic Hosiery Company in 1922, making knit sports stockings and garments. Cartledge worked with a doctor to create an athletic support garment for men and he patented his design.A contest was held in the 1920s to name the athletic support and Jockstrap was the winning name. The winner was awarded five dollars– a big prize in the 1920s. Guelph Elastic Hosiery held the patent for the Jockstrap until 1956 and the company continued to make jockstraps and other protective devices until 2006.Object Information:Object ID: 2014.65.2.3Object Name: Jockstrap, Manual and BoxDimensions: 33 cm L x 29.5 cm W (jockstrap)Kathleen Wall, Curatorial Coordinator, Guelph Museums
McCrae House
McCrae House, a c.1857 stone cottage located along the banks of the Speed River, is the birthplace of Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918). McCrae was a doctor, soldier and author of the WWI poem “In Flanders Fields”, which he wrote after burying a young friend, Alexis Helmer, who was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres. The poem was first published in Punch magazine in December 1915 and the poppy quickly became the symbol of remembrance throughout the Commonwealth. The Museum features exhibitions on the life of McCrae, two period rooms reflecting the 1870s when the McCrae family occupied the house, a programming space, and heritage gardens. McCrae House has two designations through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada: one for John McCrae as a person of national significance and one for the house as a place of national significance. A number of special events, afternoon teas, and programs take place throughout the year. In 1983, Guelph Museums was established consisting of McCrae House and Guelph Civic Museum.
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