Canadian Canoe Museum

Peterborough, Ontario

The Canadian Canoe Museum stewards the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft. The museum’s new facility will ensure that a fundamental part of Canadian heritage is not lost and allow the museum’s entire collection to reside and be displayed in a single location that meets Class A conservation standards.

The buildings design echo’s its influence by the canoe and utilizes mass timber in its structure. This project utilizes Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) for design and construction. This purpose-built, two-storey facility offers 65,000 sq. ft. that will become a vibrant space for the museum’s collection and activities, with a 17,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall for brand new exhibits.

A women in a purple coat stands looking at rows of stacked canoes within a dark room.

Exterior render of museum. Two gardens frame the entrance to the parking lot where cars sit, people walk towards the entrance of the museum.

the back of the museum and canoe house are illuminated from lights within as dark clouds roll in the sky and a mist can be seen through the trees.

Matthew, wearing glasses, sits at a table, resting his right arm on the table he looks forward smiling.

Project Lead, Senior Technologist

Matthew Philip

Noblegen Purification

Peterborough, Ontario

Harry sits on a couch, resting his arm on the side while looking forward.

Harry Teng

Design Technologies Specialist, Senior Architect

“At this time in Canada, we are beginning a process for Truth and Reconciliation. Together, we need to learn, understand and acknowledge our shared history. We can’t do that without first knowing and understanding the impact of the canoe in Canada’s story, from those very early times when the first visitors came to our shores. The Canadian Canoe Museum provides us with an opportunity to learn, to feel, to smell, and to see the canoe in its diversity and endurance.”

Vicky Grant, OC, Loon Clan, Teme- Augama Anishnabai Qway, (Deep Water Woman) and Chair, Board of Directors, The Canadian Canoe Museum.

People move through the lobby of the museum. A family of four sits on the right side of the lobby upon the ledge of floor to ceiling windows. A couple chats at a table just up from the family. Guest walk around the lobby.

Project Team

Bill, wearing glasses, leans against the counter with his left hand his right hand in the pocket of his pants, as he smiles at the camera.

Bill Lett

Managing Principal

Related Work

Peterborough, Ontario

Peterborough Museum & Archives

Rendering of Canoe Museum lobby interior. A large window decends on an angle from the left with a large grid pattern on the glass. A wooden canoe hangs from the ceiling, composed of large wooden beams.