All industrial & heritage museums to visit in Ontario

Explore the impact of industry on society at 18 industrial heritage museums in Ontario. These museums showcase the history of manufacturing, technology, and labor.

Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in Ontario:

  1. Watson's Mill1

    Watson's Mill

     Ottawa
    Watson's Mill, located in Manotick, Ontario, Canada, is a unique attraction as it is the only working museum in the Ottawa area and one of the few operating industrial grist mills in North America. This historic flour and gristmill offers a rare glimpse into the past, showcasing the industrial processes of the past in a fully operational setting.
  2. Canadian Automotive Museum2

    Canadian Automotive Museum

     Oshawa
    The Canadian Automotive Museum, situated in Oshawa, Ontario, is a unique destination for automobile enthusiasts. The museum showcases a wide array of Canadian-made cars, reflecting the rich automotive history of the country. It provides an opportunity for visitors to explore the evolution of the automobile industry in Canada, with a particular focus on the Canadian division of General Motors, a key player in Oshawa's economy.
  3. 3

    Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum

     Niagara-on-the-Lake
    You can learn a lot of interesting facts in this interactive museum. Find out about the history of newspapers and printing press.
  4. Morningstar Mill4

    Morningstar Mill

     Thorold
    Morningstar Mill is a heritage site that spans 2.98 acres, located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It's a place where history comes alive, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The site is rich in historical significance and offers a unique experience for those interested in history and heritage.
  5. Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site5

    Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

     Sault Sainte Marie
    The Sault Ste. Marie Canal is a National Historic Site located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is part of the national park system and is managed by Parks Canada. This site is a significant part of Canadian history and offers visitors a chance to explore and learn about the country's past.
  6. Marine Museum of the Great Lakes6

    Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

     Kingston
    The Marine Museum of the Great Lakes is a small yet significant museum that focuses on the marine history of the Great Lakes. It has been recognized as a national historic site of Canada since 1978, marking its importance in the country's cultural and historical landscape. The museum offers a unique insight into the maritime history of the region, making it an interesting destination for those interested in history, maritime affairs, or the Great Lakes themselves.
  7. Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario7

    Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario

     Smiths Falls
    The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, which was established in 1985, is housed in a former station of the Canadian Northern Railway. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the railway, including the station itself and a collection of historic rolling stock, equipment, and railway memorabilia.
  8. Military Communications and Electronics Museum8

    Military Communications and Electronics Museum

     Kingston
    The Military Communications and Electronics Museum is situated in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, along Ontario Highway 2 at CFB Kingston. This location is easily accessible and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the history and development of military communications and electronics.
  9. Science North9

    Science North

     Sudbury
    Science North, located in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is an interactive science museum that offers a unique architectural experience. The museum complex consists of two snowflake-shaped buildings situated on the southwestern shore of Ramsey Lake. Additionally, a former ice hockey arena, which now serves as the complex's entrance and houses an IMAX theatre, is part of the museum. This combination of science and architecture provides a unique experience for visitors.
  10. Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre10

    Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre

     Sudbury
    The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre, located in Capreol in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a rail transport museum. The museum's primary focus is on preserving historical artifacts that represent the heritage of Northern Ontario and the history of the lumber, mining, and railroading industries. This museum offers a unique opportunity for visitors to delve into the rich history and heritage of Northern Ontario and its significant industries.
  11. Oil Museum of Canada11

    Oil Museum of Canada

     Oil Springs
    The Oil Museum of Canada is a significant site in the history of the petroleum industry. Located in Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada, it stands on the very ground where the first commercial oil well on the continent was dug in 1858. This makes it a unique destination for those interested in the history and development of the oil industry.
  12. Wallaceburg and District Museum12

    Wallaceburg and District Museum

     Wallaceburg
    The Wallaceburg and District Museum is situated in the town of Wallaceburg in Southern Ontario. It is conveniently located just a half-block away from the banks of the Sydenham River, making it easily accessible for tourists visiting the area.
  13. Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre13

    Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre

     Peterborough
    The Peterborough Lift Lock, located in Ontario, Canada, is a significant engineering marvel. It serves as a boat lift and Lock 21 on the Trent-Severn Waterway. The lock is designed to compensate for a height difference of 19.8 meters, making it a unique and impressive structure. It was built by Richard Birdsall Rogers and inaugurated on July 9, 1904, and at the time, it was the largest work of its kind ever accomplished.
  14. Markham Museum14

    Markham Museum

     Markham
    The Markham Museum, located in Markham, Ontario, Canada, is a 25-acre open-air museum. It is dedicated to preserving the old buildings and artefacts from Markham's past. This museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors to step back in time and explore the history of Markham.
  15. Sault Ste. Marie Museum15

    Sault Ste. Marie Museum

     Sault Sainte Marie
  16. Grand Trunk Railway Station16

    Grand Trunk Railway Station

     Caledonia
    The Caledonia railway station, built in 1908 by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada, is a significant part of the town's history. It was the third station to be constructed in Caledonia, Ontario, and has since become a symbol of the town's rich railway heritage. The station's architecture and historical significance make it an interesting site for visitors interested in railway history.
  17. Elgin County Railway Museum17

    Elgin County Railway Museum

     St. Thomas
    The Elgin County Railway Museum, located in St. Thomas, Ontario, is a rail transport museum that offers a unique insight into the history and heritage of rail transport in the region. Visitors can explore the museum's extensive collection of locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and even a model railroad that recreates scenes from the area.
  18. 18

    Jet Aircraft Museum

     London
    The Jet Aircraft Museum, located at the London International Airport in Ontario, Canada, is a charitable foundation aviation museum. It specializes in Canadian Forces jet aircraft, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and technology of these machines. The museum is easily accessible due to its location at the airport, making it a convenient destination for tourists.