We're Celebrating Heritage Week, and the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre Needs You
If you’ve ever wondered how to support local heritage, the answer is simple: there’s a place for you at the CWHC, especially during Heritage Week.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Heritage Week is more than a moment on the calendar — it’s an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the stories that shaped us. In Owen Sound, many of those stories live at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (CWHC), also known as the Marine and Rail Museum.
This is where the city’s past meets its present, where the echoes of industry, community, and resilience are preserved not as relics, but as living, breathing reminders of who we are and where we’ve come from.
As Chairperson of the Board, I have the privilege of seeing the heart of this place up close — the passion of our volunteers, the dedication of our staff, and the quiet, steady work that keeps our history alive. And during Heritage Week, I want to share something simple but essential: we cannot do this without you.
A Museum Built on Community
The CWHC is a community museum in the truest sense. Every artifact, every exhibit, every program is made possible by people who care deeply about preserving Owen Sound’s marine and rail heritage.
From the iconic CN rail station to the stories of sailors, engineers, families, and workers who built this region, our museum is a testament to what collective memory can achieve.
But heritage doesn’t preserve itself. It takes hands, hearts, and time — and that’s where our community comes in.
My Role as Chairperson: Supporting Strategy, Structure, and Sustainability
One of the most meaningful parts of my role is helping our team work smarter, not harder. Over the past year, I’ve focused on:
Facilitating strategic planning sessions that bring volunteers, staff, and board members together to shape our direction
Simplifying and documenting processes so we’re not reinventing the wheel every time we launch a program or host an event
Creating clarity and structure that supports our volunteers and staff, making their work easier, more enjoyable, and more sustainable
Strengthening governance and communication, ensuring everyone feels supported and aligned
This behind-the-scenes work may not be visible to visitors, but it’s what allows the museum to thrive. When we reduce friction, we create space for creativity, connection, and community impact.
Heritage Week Is the Perfect Time to Get Involved
If you’ve ever wondered how to support local heritage, the answer is simple: there’s a place for you here.
Whether you have an hour a week or a few hours a month, your contribution matters. And there are so many ways to get involved:
🌊 Be a Greeter
Welcome visitors, share stories, and help create memorable experiences.
🚂 Join a Committee
Support governance, programming, fundraising, or community engagement.
🛠️ Help Maintain Our Marine & Rail Artifacts
If you love hands-on work, our collection needs skilled and careful attention.
📣 Support Our Social Media & Communications
Help us share our stories with the world and grow our reach.
💡 Assist Behind the Scenes
Fundraising, administration, research, and event support are essential to our success.
💙 Make a Donation
Every contribution — big or small — helps us preserve and share Owen Sound’s heritage.
👣 Visit the Museum
Bring your family, bring a friend, or simply bring your curiosity. Your presence matters.
Why Your Support Matters
Museums like ours are more than buildings. They are community anchors — places where identity, memory, and belonging are nurtured. They remind us that history is not something that happened; it’s something we carry forward.
By getting involved, you’re not just supporting a museum.
You’re helping safeguard the stories that define Owen Sound.
Join Us This Heritage Week
If you’ve been looking for a way to contribute, reconnect, or simply be part of something meaningful, this is your moment. The Community Waterfront Heritage Centre is built by community — and it thrives because people like you choose to care.
Visit. Donate. Volunteer. Share.
There’s a role for everyone, and a warm welcome waiting for you.
Nicole Egan
Georgian Bluffs
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.