Collections and Research

About Our Collections

The stewardship of the collections is a public trust. We value the trust placed with us to safeguard the collection, and we recognize our responsibility to strategically develop the collection for future generations. Our collection is diverse, just like Oshawa’s history, and we are committed to expanding the narratives we share. We care for over 50,000 objects and photographs covering social history, science, technology, and Indigenous history and will continue to strategically manage and develop the collection as a growing resource for education and research.

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Explore the Collection

Portions of the Oshawa Museum's Collections Database are available online, and more images and records will be added over time. Permission may be obtained to use collection images for education and scholarly purposes. Contact Archival or Curatorial staff for the most complete information about the online database and reproductions requests by email

curator@oshawamuseum.org

Online DatabaseOnline Database

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Online Resources

The focus of the archival collection is strictly items related to the history of Oshawa. Items found in this collection are available for those who are researching Oshawa's early pre-history as well as those who are interested in learning more about local businesses or researching their genealogy. A number of these resources have been made available online:

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Donate to the Collections

The collections comes from people just like you! While objects are sometimes purchased for specific exhibitions or programs, the vast majority of the Museum's objects are donated by the community.

Learn more about how you can help us preserve Oshawa's history for future generations.

How to DonateHow to Donate

ArteFACTs

April 3 to 6 is Archives Awareness Week in Ontario! This annual event is designed to raise awareness of many resources that can be found in Ontario’s many archival collections.

Pictured is the latest addition to the growing Eric Sangwine Art Collection! Eric has depicted the early transit buses, operated by the Oshawa Railway in 1940.

Also happening through April is #ArchivesAtoZ! This campaign, spearheaded by the Archives of Ontario, is aimed at increasing the public's general awareness about archives in a fun and engaging way! Follow the Oshawa Museum on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to see our daily posts showcasing the archival collection!

We launched an online exhibit for Eric's Street Name Series - visit this exhibit: https://streetnamestories.wordpress.com/