Collections: Artifacts
In keeping with its Victorian roots, much of the early material (collected in the 1800s) represented an eclectic assortment of "relics and curiosities". As a community Museum, the bulk of the Museum collection reflects more contemporary collection practices and with the exception of a specialized textile collection, focuses on the heritage of Peterborough and area.
Textiles
The Peterborough Museum & Archives has one of the finest collections of 19th century homespun in Ontario. It also has a fairly comprehensive collection of women's wear (approximately 400 dresses and 93 wedding dresses from the 19th and 20th century, 33 christening gowns).
Technological Artifacts
The Peterborough Museum & Archives has an eclectic collection of tools and equipment but there are several specialized collections of note, including: surgeon's kits from the War of 1812 and American Civil War era, a complete leather-workers kit, a comprehensive collection of alarm clocks (over 300 - mostly from Westclox of Peterborough). The Museum also has an extensive collection of 19th century woodworking tools and canoe and boat building tools used by Edmund Barrie, owner of Barrie Boat Works in Peterborough.
Natural History
Within its collection of over one thousand mineral specimens and nearly 500 fossils, the Museum has specimens of national and international significance.
Military Collections
The military collection is quite extensive and includes uniforms and memorabilia from the Northwest Rebellion, assorted uniforms from the Boer War, World War I, and World War II. In 2006, the military collection (approximately 8,000 artifacts) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 was donated to the Peterborough Museum & Archives.
Recreational
The Museum has a large collection of tin and metal toys and dolls, some dating to the early 1700’s, also a variety of early sporting equipment (ice skates, boxing gloves, sports jerseys and trophies).
Archaeological Collections
The Museum has two noteworthy collections including the McGrath Collection of 1186 artifacts from across North America and the Brock Street Collection of 33 native burial goods (the physical remains and sacred items were repatriated and re-buried in 1990). The Museum is the custodian of an intact clay pot dating to about 1350 CE.
Furniture
The Museum has an eclectic collection of 19th century furnishings, most notably, items originally belonging to Catharine Parr Traill and other members of the Strickland family.
Ethnography
The Museum has a selection of First Nation and Inuit artifacts from across North America, including clothing, tools, weapons and ceremonial items.
Transportation Artifacts
Reflecting the community's heritage as the home of the modern canoe, the Museum & Archives has a collection of canoes that represent a cross-section of local boat builders' art. Most of these vessels are of national significance. Canoes manufactured by the Strickland Company, Peterborough Canoe Company, Gordon, W.A. Payne and Stephenson Canoes are in the collection. The Museum also has medals won by the William English Company at the Paris Exposition of 1878.
Original Fine Art
Original art is managed by the City Archives. Highlights include a Paul Kane oil portrait of Peterborough Mayor Wilson Conger (circa 1837); sketches by William Sawyer; Katherine Wallis paintings and sculpture; Mamie Langley McCarthy Collection of watercolours; Thomas Workman collection of oil portraits; early sketches of Peterborough by local artists Vincent Clementi, Anne Langton, Elizabeth Boulton (ca. 1830-1850).
Updated April 27/09
