The Canadian Canoe Museum, home to the world’s largest and most significant collection of paddled watercraft, is embarking on an extraordinary journey as we prepare to move the entire collection from its current landlocked location to our new waterfront museum and campus across the city.

However, we cannot achieve this historic move without the support of passionate businesses and individuals like yourself!

“Moving a collection of this size and scale in the span of months is no small feat for our team and supporters. This move represents a pivotal moment in our museum’s history. By relocating to Ashburnham Drive, we will not only enhance the accessibility and visibility of this extraordinary collection but also create a transformative experience for our visitors. We are inviting donors and sponsors to be a part of this monumental move and help us bring the legacy of paddled watercraft to a wider audience.”
– Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director.

In honour of this moment, we are launching our new Move the Collection: The Final Portage campaign.

Led by avid paddling enthusiasts and local community leaders Mike Judson and Neil Morton this campaign will see the two carry a red canoe throughout downtown Peterborough this summer and fall to its new 65,000-square-foot home on Ashburnham Drive in a symbolic portage of the upcoming move of the Museum’s entire watercraft collection. Through a series of videos and behind-the-scenes content, the Final Portage campaign seeks the support of donors and sponsors to make the relocation a resounding success.

Your contribution will enable us to continue connecting people to our collective past and inspiring future generations through the safe relocation of this nationally significant collection!

Learn more and become a sponsor by contacting our Marketing and Communications Associate, Megan McShane, at m[email protected]

Lead Sponsor & Official Mover of The Canadian Canoe Museum

McWilliams Moving & Storage has been moving satisfied customers across town and across the country for more than 60 years. Based in Peterborough, Ontario, McWilliams provides a full range of exceptional moving services to families, individuals and businesses across all points of North America. We are your trusted moving experts.

“McWilliams Moving and Storage has been part of The Canadian Canoe Museum family since its inception with the first portage of museum artifacts from Dorset to Peterborough over two decades ago. We are honoured to continue this tradition as the Official Movers of The Canadian Canoe Museum and complete the final portage to the new architectural and cultural landmark in the city of Peterborough. Our team of highly qualified movers take great pride and care in the work they do. Having the opportunity to pack and transport these pieces of Canadian heritage allows McWilliams Moving and Storage to be part of the journey and story of this national icon settling in our great city.”

– Dan McWilliams, President, McWilliams Moving & Storage

Media Partner

“kawarthaNOW is proud to be the official media sponsor for The Canadian Canoe Museum’s “Move the Collection” campaign. Our local and national waterways are vitally important to our heritage and future, and the canoes and kayaks in the Museum’s collection reflect both our national history and the local history of the “land of reflections” — The Kawarthas, Nogojiwanong and Odoonabi-ziibi. kawarthaNOW has a long history with The Canadian Canoe Museum, having been one of the first web developers to create a web presence for the Museum in 2002, and we continue to be ongoing supporters. We are lifelong kayakers and are committed to promoting the Museum and “the final portage” of the Museum’s collection to its new waterfront home both to our local audience and to the world.”

– Jeannine Taylor, CEO, founder, and publisher of kawarthaNOW.com

Tourism Partner

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) is a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the City and County of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. PKT operates the year-round Visitor Centre located at 270 George Street North on the first floor, in downtown Peterborough, Ontario.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism provides industry leadership and destination marketing services to attract visitors to the region. We are a not-for-profit, partnership-based organization with more than 400 tourism partners, with the objectives of promoting the destination, increasing visitation and economic impact for the industry, our partners and our community. The mission of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development promotes and facilitates business opportunities to create a thriving economy, resulting in regional prosperity.

Final Portage Partners

Grant Thornton is a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm providing audit, tax and advisory services—locally in Peterborough and across Canada— to dynamic privately owned, publicly listed and public sector organizations. Our experienced advisors are dedicated to helping our clients, colleagues, and communities thrive.

“We’re excited to be a partner of the Canadian Canoe Museum’s Move the Collection – The Final Portage campaign. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only support the Peterborough community but to also be part of a pivotal moment in the museum’s history. We believe that this sponsorship will help create a meaningful impact on the community and deepen our shared understanding of Canadian and Indigenous histories.”

Final Portage Supporters

Learn more and become a sponsor by contacting our Marketing and Communications Associate, Megan McShane, at m[email protected]

The “Big Lift” project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. 

Le project «Big Lift» a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.