About the Museum
History of the Museum
Professor Kirk Wipper, Founder of
the Kanawa International Museum
of Canoes and Kayaks
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The unparalleled collection of over 600 canoes and kayaks that form the nucleus of The Canadian Canoe Museum began in 1957, when a friend presented Kirk Wipper with a dugout made circa 1890. Professor Kirk Wipper taught at the University of Toronto's Department of Physical Health, and possessed a keen insight into the power of the canoe to tell the story of Canada's people. Wipper's collection grew, and in late 1960s, with over 150 artifacts, a building was constructed to house the craft at Camp Kandalore, a residential summer camp near Dorset, Ontario. This collection came to be known as the Kanawa International Museum.
Even with additions to the building, the collection outgrew its space. A new home was needed, and Peterborough, centre of canoe manufacturing for more than a century from 1850 - 1960, was a logical site. A group of people, many of them connected with Trent University, came together to work towards creating a centre of knowledge about the role of the canoe. In 1989, a board of directors was formed, and in 1994 Wipper transferred control of his historic collection to the organization now called The Canadian Canoe Museum. This group has worked tirelessly, raising money and resources to build a national museum.
The Canadian Canoe Museum opened
to the public in July 1997
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In 1996, the Outboard Marine Corporation of Canada donated eight acres of property and two buildings, totalling 140,000 square feet, to the Museum. With a home for the collection and financial support from corporations, foundations and individuals in Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Peterborough, the Trustees hired Bill Byrick, as the Museum's Executive Director to continue developing a national museum. In four short months, a work force comprised of more than 200 volunteers constructed the first exhibits. The Museum opened its doors to the public on July 1, 1997.
In 1998 the Museum began implementing its revenue generation strategy, including group tour fees, tourism packages, memberships, merchandising, retail sales, admissions, course fees, and special events. Next, an overall conceptual plan was developed to guide the Museum's programs and facilities. This work was done in collaboration with Aboriginal and Métis people and the Museum's staff and Trustees.
Exhibits of Eastern Arctic kayaks and Peterborough area canoes were added in the spring of 1999, increasing the extent of the Museum's temporary displays from 10,000 ft2 to 20,000 ft2. That fall, a group of teachers and canoe enthusiasts gathered to develop the philosophy, scope and approach to guide the Museum's Education Program.
In 2000, the Museum embarked on its most ambitious endeavour: a national Millennium project entitled The Canoe: A Canadian Cultural Icon. This $3.2 million project explored the enduring significance of the canoe to the people of Canada through nine new exhibits for the Museum, three travelling outreach exhibits and curriculum-linked education programs. The opening of The Canoe: A Canadian Cultural Icon in March 2001 resulted in unprecedented media attention for the Museum, both nationally and internationally.
Pierre Trudeau's buckskin jacket,
featured in the Reflections exhibit
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Later in October 2001, the Museum gained further prominence with the launch of Reflections: The Land, the People and the Canoe. This landmark exhibit featured Pierre Trudeau's famous buckskin jacket and birch bark canoe on public display for the first time, along with the personal artifacts of other significant paddlers, including Bill Mason, Victoria Jason and Eric Morse.
Now The Canadian Canoe Museum is preparing to take interactive programming to the next level, with the development of an outdoor paddling centre and a Visiting Artisans Program. New school programs will also be added in 2002, along with unique professional development opportunities for teachers. These current undertakings will enrich visitors and students alike as they experience Canada's canoeing heritage both on the water and indoors.
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