Our story begins with car chases, gunfire and holiday parade mayhem on the festive downtown streets of Collingwood. It is a Christmas story unlike any other. Tune in to hear the outcome of this memorable Christmas Story and it’s lasting gift to our town.

Following the story we invite the listeners to check out a couple of our offerings for Christmas gifts. Come down to the museum or give us a call (705) 445-4811 (ext. 7221) to order digital reproductions of our historic photographs. The staff would love to help you find just the right one. Or come and see us at the Downtown Christmas Markets on December 13 and 20 and check out our newest branded t-shirts, sure to

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a very Blessed New Year from all of us at the Collingwood Museum.

Santa’s Sleigh [Photo by Irene Pradyszczuk, used with permission]

Research:

Enterprise Bulletin, January 27, 1996 p.1,2

Enterprise Bulletin, February 10, 1996 p.1,3

Enterprise Bulletin, February 14, 1996 p.1,2,3,4

Enterprise Bulletin, February 17, 1996 p.1,2,3,6,7

Enterprise Bulletin, February 21, 1996

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Kiss_Goodnight

Links:

“A Winter Olympics Swimming Record” Season 3, Bonus

Just in time for Remembrance Day, we tell the story of a Collingwood veteran, Captain Alan Telfer, whose time in the service during World War 1 took him to fascinating locations on multiple continents and embroiled him in the very stuff of later Hollywood movies. From England and France to India and Palestine, from trench warfare to espionage and Lawrence of Arabia ... see how this Collingwood native left his mark on the world.

Following the story we invite our listeners to join us at the Collingwood museum over the month of November to see three temporary exhibits all related to the legacies of Canada’s military history and the stories of local men and women who served their country. Each exhibit builds upon the others in a very profound and meaningful way. We also highlight a very special Collector’s Night in partnership with the Collingwood Legion, to be held on November 21 at the Legion’s Military Museum.

Episode Picture:

Alan Telfer in military uniform, undated. [Collingwood Museum Collection 986.10.1u]

Research:

A Life from the Stuff of Legends. Toronto Star April 23, 1983

https://www.biography.com/military-figures/te-lawrence

https://www.britannica.com/biography/T-E-Lawrence/Legacy

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/who-was-lawrence-of-arabia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tabsor

Links:

“The Telfer Brothers” Season 3, Episode 1

This episode is a harrowing tale of life and death in the single worst disaster to happen on Georgian Bay. The sinking of the steamship Asia in 1882 marked a tragic but important turning point in Great Lakes travel and public demand for greater safety. Learn Collingwood’s important role in this story, both before and after this terrible accident.

Steamship Asia, Unknown Location. [Collingwood Museum Collection 998.3.62]

Higgins, Robert. The Wreck of the Asia. Escart Press University of Waterloo. 1995.

“The Wabauno” Season 1, Episode 12

September marks the 95th anniversary of Collingwood’s concrete grain terminal, one of our town’s most recognizable landmarks from both land and water. But did you know that for over 160 years not one but three different grain elevators have graced our town’s harbour.  In this first episode of our fourth season we recount the enduring tale of our grain terminals’ history beginning in 1855 and continuing to this day.

Episode Picture:

Research:

Collingwood Terminals, Collingwood’s Second Big Link with the Lakes Enterprise Bulletin Nov. 26, 1970.

Old Landmark Elevator in Hands of Wreckers Enterprise Bulletin June 24 1937.

G.T.R Elevator Marks Fiftieth Anniversary Enterprise Bulletin May 19 1921.

Thom Robert. Growing Old Together. Canadian National Railway Magazine Feb. 12 1925.

Isabel Griffin. History of the Grain Elevators Enterprise Bulletin Aug 7 1996.

Built Heritage Assessment, Collingwood Grain Terminals, Town of Collingwood, ON, Archaeological Research Associates Ltd., December 2021.

Newspaper article “Looking Back Through The Years”

Newspaper article “Cement grain elevator first built in open water” by Isabel Griffin

Newspaper article “Steamer ‘Munising’ Brought First Cargo”

Links:

"Off the Rails" Season 2, Episode 10. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Off-The-Rails-e24u5c6

Swimming is not usually connected to winter sports, but for one man they were a perfect pairing. In today’s bonus

Where is your favourite local spot to hang out in (or by) the water on those long, hot summer days? We

Episode Picture:

Georgian Bay Long Distance Swim Monument [Photo

Research:

Enterprise Bulletin Sept. 4 1996

How do you remember a father you didn’t know? In today’s bonus summer episode we look at the story behind an important local memorial overlooking the harbour. See how one man’s attempt to give honour to his father, would only be fulfilled by similarly honouring more than fifty other families at the same time.

What is the one local monument or memorial that moves you most? Is it connected to your family or your own personal story? We would love to hear your reasons why!

Episode Picture:

Shipyard Workers Memorial [Photo by Ken Maher, used with permission]

Research:

Trott, Christine. Honouring fallen shipbuilders Collingwood Connection (Collingwood Public Library Local History Files, no date given)

Join us as we tell the story of one local family who grew a business from a small market-farm and a dream, to (at the time) Ontario’s largest fruit and vegetable farming operation. A family run company that also helped to grow their community. A pillar of the community that touched the lives of nearly every other Collingwood family over the eighty years of the Smart Brothers business.

Following the story we invite the listeners to join us for our summer children’s programming running July -August. You can find more information on our website

Episode Picture:

Smart Bros. Limited, 1948 [Collingwood Museum Collection 994.33.9]

Research:

Enterprise Bulletin. Nov 14, 2008.

Local History Files Collingwood Public Library.

Collingwood Bulletin. July 4 1912.

Tracy Marsh, Enterprise Bulletin. Oct 29- Nov 12, 1994.

On Track Mar/Apr 2009 p.1,4

Cowley, Christine. Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. 245-248

Links:

“The Telfer Brothers” Season 3, Episode 1

A beautiful summer day on the lake turns into a troubling mystery with a tragic ending. In this episode we tell the story of the day Collingwood was rocked by the sudden loss of eight young men and women, and the response of the community to a shared grief.

The Karma. Photograph courtesy of Kirk Jones

Enterprise Bulletin July 24, 1956

Enterprise Bulletin July 26, 1956

Enterprise Bulletin August 2, 1956

Enterprise Bulletin August 9, 1956

Toronto Daily Star July 24, 1956

Toronto Daily Star July 26, 1956

“Black Sunday” Season 1, Episode 19

In this episode, we tell the tale of the HMCS Moose Jaw, a flower class corvette built in Collingwood for transatlantic duty during WWII. Learn about the pivotal role Canadian civilian dockyards, including the Collingwood Shipyards, played in the construction of these important naval ships and listen to the riveting story of the HMCS Moose Jaw’s first battle against enemy U-boats.

Launch of the HMCS Moose Jaw, 1941 [Collingwood Museum Collection, 995.31.49]

Leithead, Maggie. “Collingwood Skiffs & Side Launches: Building Canada’s Marine Heritage.” 1994. The Collingwood Museum.

https://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/the-battle-of-the-atlantic/hmcs-moose-jaw-and-the-sinking-of-u-501/

Department of National Defence / National Archives of Canada, PA-105829.

Enterprise Bulletin November 27, 1941

“Beginning at the End” Season 1, Episode 1

In this episode we explore the life of Collingwood daughter Madge Watt and the global movement among rural women that would result from her unwavering drive and determination. Join us as we look at this important figure in Canadian history and her pivotal role in the formation of the Women’s Institute and the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

Episode Picture:

Undated photograph of Mrs. Alfred Watt [Collingwood Museum Collection, X976.563.1]

Ambrose, Linda. A Great Rural Sisterhood: Madge Robertson Watt and the ACWW UofT Press. 2015

“Girl from Collingwood.” Enterprise Bulletin May 26, 2017

Montreal Standard & Montreal Family Herald December 1, 1948.

Collingwood Library Genealogy Files

Associated Country Women of the World https://acww.org.uk/home