Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre

Tourism Region: James Bay Frontier

Go for the Gold.

Tales of the Porcupine Gold Rush are retold as part of the exhibits in the museum's Cochrane gallery. Explore the story of Canada's largest city from the shield archaic cultures of Night Hawk Lake to the boom town settlements along Porcupine Lake.

A mine tunnel and prospector's cabin let children relive what it was like to be a pioneer in New Ontario.

About the Collections

Historical artifacts related to the Porcupine Camp; Costain mineral collection; archival material pertinent to the City of Timmins and gold mining industry; regional art collection representative of work created by northeastern Ontario artists.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: 30,000

Archives

The archival collection consists of library and primary source material relevant to the development of the ‘Porcupine Camp' and the industries associated with our community. There are a number of highlights in this collection. They include:
The microfilm copies of the local newspapers, the Porcupine Advance (1912 - 1950) and the Timmins Daily Press(1933-1972).
The Peter's collection of photographs (1909-circa 1920).
The Tomkinson collection of photographs (circa 1915-circa 1930).
The Boutin collection of newsreels and home movies (circa 1930-1960)
The Porcupine Camp Historical Society oral history project.

Cartographic Materials • Prints and Drawings • Microforms • Films and Videos • Photographs • Sound Recordings • Textual Records

Decorative Arts

Our decorative arts collection consists a wide range of items used in the Porcupine Camp during the first half of the twentieth century. Highlights of this collection include a large selection of women's wear from the 20's and 30's, traditional costumes from Eastern Europe, and corporate dining ware.

Furniture or Furnishings • Musical Instruments • Textiles or Tapestries

Fine Arts

The museum's fine arts collection consists of paintings, photographs and sculptures produced by regional artists, during the last half of the twentieth century.

Culture:
Canadian • Aboriginal or First Nations

Period:
Contemporary
Other Period: 20th Century (1950-present)

Media:
Painting • Prints and Drawings • Sculpture

Human History

The museum's human history spans the time from the Shield Archaic to the present day; with objects from almost every type of human endeavour. Highlights include the Fretz collection of Shield Archaic projectile points, mining equipment from the first half of the twentieth century and a wide range household artifacts.

Agriculture • Archaeological Objects • Communications Devices • Exploration and Survey • Forestry • Furniture or Furnishings • Household Objects or Domestic Technology • Imaging : Film : Film History and Technology : Photographs • Industrial Technology and History • Local History • Maps, Charts, Plans or Blueprints • Memorabilia • Oral History

Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences / Natural History

The museum's natural sciences collection is centred around our prized Costain mineral collection. This compilation of rocks and minerals consists of the finest samples to be collected from the world's mining properties.

Earth Science and Geological Collections
Minerals • Rocks

Services & Activities

Research Services

Archival Records • Films • Genealogical Research • Information Centre • Video Library

Educational Programs

Classes or Workshops • Demonstrations • Family Programs • Lectures • School Programs : Age 0-4 (Pre-School) : Age 5-11 (k-6) : Age 12-17 (7-13)(Quebec: Secondary 1-CEGEP) : Age 18 and up (Post-Secondary)

Visitor Services

Bilingual Services • Films and Videos • Guided Tours : English : French • Accessible by Public Transportation • Children's Activities or Services • Information Centre or Desk • Meeting Room Rental • Parking Facilities : Free : Bus • Gift shop • Special Needs Facilities : Parking : Washrooms : Wheelchairs available : Wheelchair access • Washrooms

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services Available • Volunteer Training Offered

Number of Volunteers: 20

Activities: Indexing (newspaper) and fundraising activities

Member Privileges

Newsletter; discount on programes; invitations to openings/special events; discount at other museums/attractions; discount at museum boutique

Food Services

Snack Bar or Vending Machines • Picnic Area • Reception Facilities

Publications and Products

Brochures • Catalogues • Educational kits • Newsletters • Postcards • Commemorative Souvenirs

Map

Location

Address:	70 Legion Drive South Porcupine, Ontario P0N 1H0 See Map
Telephone:	705-235-5066
Fax:	705-235-9631
Mailing Address:	Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre 220 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins, Ontario P4N 1B3
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