Covid-19 Update
The Chatham-Kent Museum team offers each visitor an enjoyable, and most importantly, safe, experience. We have introduced enhanced safety measures in line with COVID-19 public health guidelines. These include, but are not limited to, regular cleaning and disinfection, passive screening of patrons, and promoting and facilitating patron hand hygiene.
Please be advised:
- The use of hand sanitizer is required prior to entering the exhibit space and exiting.
- By entering, you acknowledge and agree on behalf of yourself and those for whom you are a parent or guardian, that as an indoor facility the use of this building may include possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases such as COVID-19, and you freely assume all such risks.
Before you visit, we ask that each member of your party complete the Ontario Ministry of Health self-assessment for COVID-19. If you are not feeling well, please visit another day.
Welcome
The Chatham-Kent Museum is part of the Arts + Culture division of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Located at the
Chatham Cultural Centre, 75 William Street North, Chatham, Ontario
.
The CK Museum and Imagination Station is open Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Open to 7:00 pm on Thursdays! Admission by donation.
Exhibition
A Call for Justice
Travelling Exhibition from Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre
January 28 - April 30, 2023
Opening Reception: February 10, 2023, in conjunction with ARTcrawl
A Call for Justice was created by the Nikkei National Museum to honour the anniversary of the signing of the Redress Agreement with the Government of Canada in 1988. It tells a story of human rights and the enduring perseverance of the Japanese Canadian community who suffered so much from 1942-1949. Supported by: Canadian Heritage, Museums Assistance Program; National Association of Japanese Canadians; Deux Mille Foundation; Yoshiko Karasawa; and the Province of BC.
Additionally, on the main floor of the museum is
Out in the Open, a permanent exhibit that displays some of the museum's never-before-seen three-dimensional artifacts. To complement these exhibits, the professional staff of the Chatham-Kent Museum offers a variety of curriculum-based school programs, public programs, and special events.
Imagination Station is a hands-on interactive space found on the second floor of the museum. Something fun for everyone, including adults! New and fun interactives have been added to the Imagination Station, such as light cubes, a LEGO wall and so much more.
The museum also maintains an archival collection that includes several extensive local photograph collections, which is popular with genealogists, authors, researchers and students.
Come and explore Chatham-Kent's rich history with us!
Programs
We provide a variety of engaging programs, tours and special events throughout the year for people of all ages that pertain to the museum's mandate, collection, as well as its exhibits for CK Museum, Ridge House Museum and Milner Heritage House.
Museum Programs
A-Musing Summer Camps
Treat your kids to a fun, learning adventure this summer with the CK Museum. Camp registration opens May 1, 2023.
Check Out A-Musing Summer Camps
Lectures
Kent Historical Society
May 16, 2023 | 7:30 pm Studio One, Chatham Cultural Centre
The shores of Lake Erie near Rondeau factor into Chatham Kent history back to the earliest times. Rondeau resident and metal detector hobbyist Mark Van Raay recounts some of the historical attraction of the are including stories of Antrim, the Craford family, Patterson Creek, and the Neutrals. Mark will display some artifacts found in the area, "digging deeper" to try to bring the past to life.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Soil Superheroes
A travelling exhibition from Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum
May 17 - September 10, 2023
Opening ARTcrawl June 16, 2023
Soil Superheroes introduces visitors to the league of superheroes who live beneath our feet and make life on earth possible. Developed by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, this interactive exhibition makes the difference between healthy and unhealthy soil much clearer than mud! This exhibition is supported by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
Virtual Exhibition
Let Us March on Till Victory Is Won: The Struggle for Racial Equity in CK and Ontario is now live! This virtual exhibit traces the courageous story of the National Unity Association's crusade for justice and their determination to end practices of segregation within Chatham-Kent and Ontario, and the ongoing fight for equality in Canada.
This exhibition was produced by the Chatham-Kent Museum in partnership with the following organizations:
- Buxton Museum
- Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, Ontario Heritage Trust
- Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum
- Buxton's Next Generation
The original artwork in this exhibition was created by Mariah Alexander.
View Let Us March On till Victory is Won Virtual Exhibit
Information & Services
The Chatham-Kent Museum looks forward to seeing you. Here is further information to help you plan your visit.
Hours:
Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; Open to 7:00 pm on Thursdays
Contact Information:
Admission:
Tour Groups:
- The Chatham-Kent Museum welcomes bus tours, church, school, and special interest groups year-round by appointment. Please call or email at least 3 weeks in advance to book your tour. Cost: $5.00/person (minimum $50/tour).
Parking:
- Parking is provided free of charge. There are two parking lots; the largest one is located on William Street North and the other is on Murray Street.
Accessibility:
- All exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair-accessible washrooms are located in the museum itself as well as in the main lobby of the Chatham Cultural Centre. Access to the use of a wheelchair during your visit is available.
Amenities:
The Chatham-Kent Museum is equipped with many amenities to make your visit with us enjoyable:
- The museum is climate controlled for your comfort and for the protection of our artifacts.
- Enjoy the many picnic areas, located across the street in beautiful Tecumseh Park.
- There is a bus stop located near the Chatham Cultural Centre parking lot on Murray Street. The main downtown bus terminal is located within walking distance from the Chatham Cultural Centre.
- Washrooms are located in the museum.
Advisory Committee
This committee's primary responsibilities are to ensure that the collection entrusted to the museum's care is adequately housed, conserved and documented. Visit Committees of Council for meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.
Collections
A collection of artifacts or archival materials is the foundation for every museum. The Chatham-Kent Museum collection includes approximately 12,000 three-dimensional objects, over 1,000 natural science specimens, and over 100,000 photographic images, documents, and correspondence as well as a substantial art collection. These artifacts and archival materials are the basis of museum exhibitions, research, and programming.
Over 10,000 images from the Chatham-Kent Museum photograph and postcard archive and over 1,500 artifacts from the collection can be viewed online in the image database www.vitacollections.ca/ckmuseums.
Research
The Chatham-Kent Museum collection of artifacts and archival materials, as well as research and reference items, may include valuable information for your research. Please contact the museum with your research enquiry. Reproductions of archival materials may be acquired by following How to Obtain Reproductions.
Researchers can access the Kent Regiment IODE Books of Remembrance from the Chatham-Kent Museum collection on the online CK veteran database www.gatheringourheroes.ca.
Volunteers
The museum is committed to providing meaningful volunteer opportunities including advisory committee member, curatorial assistant, museum attendant or program assistant. To learn more about these positions or the recruitment process, please contact the museum.
