Craigleith Heritage Depot

Craigleith Heritage Depot A Museum, an Archives, and a branch of The Blue Mountains Public Library located in an 1880s train station on the shore of Georgian Bay.

Explore our exhibits, find local history resources, check out our programs and events, and more!

Meet your Site: Ravenna Orange LodgeOn Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage s...
06/02/2026

Meet your Site: Ravenna Orange Lodge

On Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage sites in the Town of the The Blue Mountains, stay tuned this week for a highlight of each location.

Step inside the last remaining Orange Lodge in The Blue Mountains to uncover the story of a once-dominant social institution. From its roots in Collingwood Township and Thornbury to its role as a cornerstone of local fraternal life, this site offers a rare glimpse into the traditions and influence of a bygone era.

Learn more here: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/museum/open-doors-heritage-tour

Meet your Site: The Kennedy HouseOn Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage site...
06/01/2026

Meet your Site: The Kennedy House
On Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage sites in the Town of the The Blue Mountains, stay tuned this week for a highlight of each location.

Step back into a maritime romance at this stunning turn-of-the-century home, built between 1890 and 1912. Once the residence of a local sea captain and later the esteemed Dr. McCallum, the property has been cherished by the Kennedy family since 1942. The home’s most poignant feature is its widow’s walk—a rooftop platform where the Captain’s wife scanned the horizon for his returning sails. Whether used to time a welcoming meal or as a vigil site during treacherous storms, this vantage point offers a powerful connection to the harbour’s storied past.

The Kennedy House has 3 tour time slots, with availability for 6 guests to tour the home with a BMPL staff and the Kennedy family.
Book your tour time here, scroll down to the Kennedy House to pick your timeslot: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/museum/open-doors-heritage-tour

🎥 NEW EPISODE: The Hardwood Heartland 📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SuxgoazJ5g&list=PLgml3XVkmG1T8m-nVVJ...
05/31/2026

🎥 NEW EPISODE: The Hardwood Heartland

📺 WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SuxgoazJ5g&list=PLgml3XVkmG1T8m-nVVJw3ZMI7TMhKN4vo&index=5

In the fifth installment of our Towns of The Blue Mountains miniseries, we’re heading off the beaten path to explore the resilient hamlets of Kolapore, McKean’s Mills, Redwing, Rockhaven, and Germany.

Through personal stories and cherished archives, we explore the unique history of the Hardwood Heartland

Stay Connected: 🔔 Subscribe to our channel to see the rest of the series!

🎤Speakers: Marjorie Olive (nee Fenwick) Young, Alex Stuart, and Julie Wells

Meet your Site: Ravenna HallOn Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage sites in ...
05/31/2026

Meet your Site: Ravenna Hall
On Sunday June 7th, from 10am - 3:30pm, we will be opening the doors to 6 heritage sites in the Town of the The Blue Mountains, stay tuned this week for a highlight of each location.

Constructed in 1872 of grey limestone, this site originally served as the Collingwood Township Town Hall and remains a vital civic landmark. Its church-like architecture and arched windows have overseen over a century of community meetings, from municipal elections to local gatherings.
Visit this site to walk the grounds of the 1921 Great War memorial park and explore the enduring history of this officially designated Ontario Heritage building.

Learn more here: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/museum/open-doors-heritage-tour

Don't forget Open Doors is happening on Sunday June 7th from 9am - 3:30pm! We are so excited to open the doors to 6 diff...
05/30/2026

Don't forget Open Doors is happening on Sunday June 7th from 9am - 3:30pm!
We are so excited to open the doors to 6 different heritage sites. This is an opportunity to explore and learn all about what has built The Town of The Blue Mountains! With free guided or self-guided tours of each site, there is something to learn at each unique site.

What sites are we opening?
1. Craigleith Community Centre (School Section No. 2)
Lakeshore Rd E, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0M9

2. Ravenna Hall (Collingwood Township Town Hall)
628299 Grey County Rd 119, Ravenna, ON N0H 2E0

3. Delphi Point Beach
209233 ON-26, Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0

4. Ravenna Orange Lodge
628300 Grey County Rd 119, Ravenna, ON

5. Kennedy House (REGISTRATION REQUIRED )
52 Bruce St S, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0

6. Thornbury Tourist Camp
67 Mill St, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0

View the google map here to plan your route: https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5164431,-80.4288077,13z/data=!4m3!11m2!2sDacz9xZ9cojU20ErK9W_ig!3e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDUxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

This month, museum staff explored the life of James Walker Lunan, an interesting character in the early pioneer history ...
05/30/2026

This month, museum staff explored the life of James Walker Lunan, an interesting character in the early pioneer history of Collingwood Township, playing roles in the communities of Craigleith, Banks and Kirkville. From clearing roads to keeping lighthouses and carrying the mail by any means, archival records and stories recalled by his son provide a window into what life was like in Collingwood Township over 150 years ago.

Pictured is a portrait of James Walker Lunan.
2016-076-054 Collection of the Craigleith Heritage Depot.

Click the link to read more about the life James Walker Lunan: https://library.biblioboard.com/content/875b72c6-e9ac-48dc-8642-018aadc0340a

Make sure you are following us through The Blue Mountains Public Library Instagram, ! There are some great sneak peeks ...
05/29/2026

Make sure you are following us through The Blue Mountains Public Library Instagram, ! There are some great sneak peeks of Open Doors coming up for the next two weeks, it is not to be missed!

Follow along here: https://www.instagram.com/bmplibrary/

Meet your heritage sites! Open Doors is happening on Sunday June 7th starting at 10am and running until 3:30pm. Join us ...
05/27/2026

Meet your heritage sites!
Open Doors is happening on Sunday June 7th starting at 10am and running until 3:30pm.

Join us for The Blue Mountains Heritage Tour, an opportunity to tour 6 heritage sites that are normally closed to the public.
Details
- Open Doors is a free, self-guided/guided tour.
- Guided Tour times are 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.
- The event runs rain or shine!
- No pets allowed. We love all of our furry friends, but we ask that you leave them at home.
- Please respect signage and boundaries.
- Take only pictures. Out of respect for the heritage sites, don't touch or take anything unless told.

Learn more here: https://www.thebluemountainslibrary.ca/museum/open-doors-heritage-tour

The Legends of the Lilacs: Myth #1 Let's start with one of the most popular—and slightly amusing—myths floating around ...
05/27/2026

The Legends of the Lilacs: Myth #1

Let's start with one of the most popular—and slightly amusing—myths floating around The Blue Mountains.

Some locals say that because lilacs have such an intoxicating, strong scent, they were intentionally planted around the historic station to mask the odor of the outhouse!

Fact or Fiction?

Almost certainly FICTION. While it makes for a funny story, lilacs only bloom for a very short window in May and June. Using them for year-round odor control just wouldn't have been practical for the station masters!

If it wasn't the outhouse... who brought them here? Next week, we’ll look into a connection with one of Canada’s most famous historic families. 🚂



This image comes from the Kourey-Knapman Collection. It shows a large bush, on the Depot Fine Dining Property, CIRA 1980s.

60 years ago, in May of 1966, a young resident of Heathcote received one of the greatest honours in the history of the B...
05/26/2026

60 years ago, in May of 1966, a young resident of Heathcote received one of the greatest honours in the history of the Beaver Valley Junior Farmers Club. A member of the club, Mary Reid, was presented with a provincial scholarship. Mary was one of four Junior Farmers funded by the Ontario Department of Agriculture to study farming methods in the United Kingdom. She was congratulated by the Collingwood Township Council and gifted ceramic pottery on the occasion.

The Junior Farmers Club had roots in Collingwood Township going back to 1919, first based out of Ravenna. In 1945 a club was established in Clarksburg and in 1948 the clubs joined to become the Beaver Valley Junior Farmers.

Pictured is Mary Reid receiving a gift of pottery from Dr. J. Blair Ardiel in May, 1966.
2016-076-063 Collection of the Craigleith Heritage Depot.

Address

113 Lakeshore Road East
The Blue Mountains, ON
L9Y0N1

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15195993681 #6

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Craigleith Heritage Depot posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Craigleith Heritage Depot:

Shortcuts

Share

Category