Callander Bay Heritage Museum & Alex Dufresne Gallery

Callander Bay Heritage Museum & Alex Dufresne Gallery HST included in price

*Admission to the Alex Dufresne Gallery is by donation.
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Celebrating Callander's rich heritage and culture while housing several art exhibitions a year supporting local artists all in the house and practice of the former doctor to the Dionne Quintuplets, Dr Allan Roy Dafoe. Admission to the Museum...

Adults: $5.50
Seniors: $5.00
Students (ages 13-18): $5.00
Students (ages 6-12): $4.50
Family (2 adults and dependent kids): $15.00
Group Rates (15+): $3.50
Children 5 and under: Free!

You know it’s spring when our beautiful lilac bushes bloom 👀😍❤️🪻(Ps we’re open today until 5pm!)
05/30/2026

You know it’s spring when our beautiful lilac bushes bloom 👀😍❤️🪻
(Ps we’re open today until 5pm!)

Did you know that Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, controverisal physician to the Dionne Quintuplets, was born on this date, just on...
05/29/2026

Did you know that Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, controverisal physician to the Dionne Quintuplets, was born on this date, just one day after the famous five? Born in 1883 in Madoc, Ontario, Dr. Dafoe moved to Callander in 1909 and was the area's doctor for decades before the miraculous birth.

He had a stutter that developed after he was flung from a horse and wagon and hit his head on a rock at age 9. He was known for using unconventional medical methods at the time, for example a man had his hand caught in a grinder and the doctor ordered the men to find some horse hair and boil them. He then used the hair to stitch the man's hand up.

He would make placebo pills by forming little "capsules" from bread dough and powered sugar. He would order his patients to take the capsules but also make sure they drank lots of fresh cold water, got lots of fresh air and sunshine, and rested - doing those things were key and his patients got better.

A fascinating, yet controversial individual, it seems that Dr. Dafoe's life was meant to intertwine with the Quintuplets. Not only was he born the day after them, but he died the same year the whole Dionne family moved into the Big House.

92 years ago today the Dionne Quintuplets were born to Oliva and Elzire Dionne of Corbeil, Ontario. Their birth would be...
05/28/2026

92 years ago today the Dionne Quintuplets were born to Oliva and Elzire Dionne of Corbeil, Ontario. Their birth would become an international sensation, but it came at a cost - a life of privacy and normality of five innocent girls. For years, thousands of tourists would come and watch them as they played in their playground two or three times a day entertaining the masses. They had no chance at a normal life, from the moment they were born they were a curiosity the world demanded to see. But they remained resilient, with some eventually carving out lives with children and careers of their own and finding themselves as individuals apart from one another, but never far.

Today marks a day of reflection as we remember Annette, Yvonne, Cécile, Émilie and Marie, may their story remind us that no child’s life should ever be treated as a spectacle, and that protecting childhood must always come before profit.

Are you an artist who wants to participate in an upcoming art show here at the gallery? Then take a look below! "The Art...
05/26/2026

Are you an artist who wants to participate in an upcoming art show here at the gallery? Then take a look below! "The Art of Small Joys" is coming this July to the gallery and we need participants. Any medium (including 3D works!), any size, any number of pieces.
We just need your participation confirmation - email us at [email protected]

Don’t forget that today at 1 is Chippys Adventures with local author Linda Stoner! She’s got her sets with her, books fo...
05/23/2026

Don’t forget that today at 1 is Chippys Adventures with local author Linda Stoner! She’s got her sets with her, books for sale, and ready to talk chipmunk 🐿️ and hey, maybe our resident chippy Stevie might make an appearance 🤩

Don't forget that this afternoon from 5:00-6:15 there will be a presentation detailing our resources for researchers and...
05/21/2026

Don't forget that this afternoon from 5:00-6:15 there will be a presentation detailing our resources for researchers and what we can offer to those who are doing their own research! This is free and open to the public and was organized by the Nipssing Branch of Ontario Ancestors, OGS.

05/18/2026

Happy International Museum Day!!

Museums are more than just places to look at artifacts—they’re where stories are preserved, shared, and brought to life. They connect us to our past, inspire curiosity, and help shape our future.

At the Callander Museum, every exhibit tells a piece of our community’s story. From local history to personal memories, it’s a place to discover, learn, and feel inspired. We would love to hear your personal memories - what is your favourite part of the museum? Is there a certain exhibit or artifact that you like? Do you have a personal memory of visiting? We would love to hear about it!

Take a moment to appreciate the importance of museums—and if you haven’t visited us yet, come see history up close!

But come on Wednesday.. because we are closed tomorrow 🫣

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Please be advised that the Museum and Gallery will be closed on Tuesday May 19th, 2026. We will reopen on Wednesday May ...
05/17/2026

Please be advised that the Museum and Gallery will be closed on Tuesday May 19th, 2026. We will reopen on Wednesday May 20th. We thank you for your understanding.

Address

107 Lansdowne Street East
Callander, ON
P0H1H0

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(705) 752-2282

Website

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