Visit Us | City of Peterborough

Welcome to the Peterborough Museum and Archives, where we focus on preserving and celebrating the collective memories of our community – stories, images and traces of the people and the land.

Telephone

705.743.5180
Toll Free: 1.855.738.7355

Open hours

Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, and most Holidays: 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Holiday Hours

Family Day - Monday, February 17th: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Good Friday - Friday, April 18th: closed
Easter Monday - Monday, April 21: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Victoria Day - Monday, May 19: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Canada Day - Tuesday, July 1: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Civic Day -Monday, August 4: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Labour Day - Monday, September 1: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving - Monday, October 13: open 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Remembrance Day - Tuesday, November 11: open 12 noon - 5p.m.
Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24: open 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25: closed
Boxing Day - Friday, December 26: closed
Saturday, December 27: 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 28: 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Monday, December 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New Years Eve: Wednesday, December 31: 9 a.m. to 12 noon
New Year Day: Thursday, January 1, 2025: closed

Admission

Admission is by donation, although we suggest a donation of $10 per family or group.

Parking

We offer free parking at the parking lot on the east side of Museum Drive. Overflow parking is available further up Museum drive, atop Armour Hill.

Gift Shop

A visit to the Peterborough Museum & Archives' gift shop is the perfect way to commemorate your visit! The gift shop is updated seasonally, with offerings that connect to the themes of our exhibitions. The gift shop supports a variety of suppliers, and different price points to ensure there is something for everyone. Gift bags are complimentary with each purchase.

Peterborough Public Library Book Kiosk

Visit our self serve kiosk during open hours to choose a new book to take home! It's easy to use and all you need is your library card. Restocked weekly with popular adult and children's books, there is something for everyone. Need to return a book? We have a book return on site as well! See the Peterborough Public Library's website for full kiosk instructions.

Visitors guide

The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) is open to the public seven (7) days a week. Please see our open hours at the top of this page.

If a quiet, less busy PMA visit is the most comfortable for you, the ideal times to visit are:

Weekdays, Mondays to Fridays, between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Statutory Holidays and School PA Days are generally busy days.

We suggest allocating 45 to 60 minutes when planning your visit to the PMA.

The main entrance to the PMA is located on the west side of Museum Drive off of Hunter Street East, halfway up Armour Hill in Ashburnham Memorial Park.

The intersection closest to the PMA is Armour Road and Hunter Street East.

Museum Drive is east of Armour Road and Kaawaate East City Public School, and west of Ashburnham Drive and Lock 21.
If traveling on Peterborough Transit, the PMA has a dedicated bus stop on Route #4 - Weller.
The address of the PMA is 300 Hunter St. E., Peterborough, ON K9H 1H1
Parking is available on the east side of Museum Drive. There is one accessible parking space on the west side of Museum Drive. Overflow parking is further north up the hill.

Check In

When you arrive, please check in at the Visitor Services reception desk.
The receptionist will ask you a couple of questions about yourself, such as if you are visiting from out of town, and if you have been to the PMA before.
If it is your first time coming to the PMA, the receptionist will share information relevant to your visit.
Please be prepared to leave any large bags and/or beverages in the cubbies next to reception. The receptionist monitors this area at all times.
Admission to the PMA is by donation, with a suggested donation of $10 per group.

Smudging

Visitors are welcome to smudge upon arrival, using the smoke-free sage spray alternative, located to the left of the entrance.

Lighting

There are varying amounts of light in different areas of the exhibition galleries. If a light aid would be helpful, check with the Visitor Services Receptionist and a page magnifier with light can be made available.

Elevation

There is a slight slope up, and a slight slope down, through the replica of the ship's berth, a small section of the first exhibition gallery. Please watch your step in this section.

Volume

The exhibition galleries are typically quiet spaces; however, galleries can sometimes echo or be louder when there are crowds or scheduled programs. This might mean you need to take a little time to adjust to the space.

The following sounds are part of the exhibition gallery experience:

Walking on the wooden floorboards in the replica ship's berth, especially in larger groups.
A winding sound when creating power to the replica of a streetlamp by turning the hand crank, but only if you choose to try it out.
Recorded 1920's music in the kitchen display to replicate the sounds of a radio playing.
Occasionally our temporary exhibition includes a sound component. If so, the Visitor Services Receptionist will share information upon your arrival.

Need a quiet space?

The elevator or stairs will take you to the PMA's lower level. There is a bench at the bottom of the stairs and at the elevator door.

Exhibition Galleries

Throughout the exhibition galleries, there are interactives for everyone to enjoy, such as story books, puppets, puzzles, building blocks, train sets, Lego, activity sheets and more.

Please leave the interactive spaces tidy after your play, ready for the next visitors.
Please do not touch the objects on exhibition. While most are behind glass in display cases, some objects are on display in the open and would be damaged by touch.
The objects labelled 'Hands- On' are there for you to touch and/or pick up if you wish to have a tactile experience.

If you are unsure about whether something is an interactive, please check with the Visitor Services Receptionist.

Washrooms

Washrooms are located on the lower level of the PMA.

There is a gender-neutral, accessible washroom with a change table table opposite the elevator.
There are two (2) additional gender-neutral washrooms.
All washrooms offer free hygiene products.

Food and Drink

Visitors must leave food and drink in the Lobby cubbies or use the appropriate waste receptacle (garbage or recycling).
There is not a cafe or restaurant on-site, but the Visitor Services Receptionist can provide guidance on where to eat locally.
There is a water cooler on the lower level to fill your reusable water bottle. If you need a cup of water, please ask the Visitor Services Receptionist.

Gift Shop

Our gift shop is open during open hours and is located in the main entrance of the PMA. The gift shop is updated seasonally, with offerings that connect to the themes of our exhibitions, and with different price points to ensure there is something for everyone. All forms of payment are accepted. Please see above for more information.

Looking to get outside?

There is an unsupervised play structure beside the PMA in Ashburnham Memorial Park. This playground is recommended for ages 2 to 12 and is accessible with a paved path from the parking lot.

Heritage Pavilion

This covered pavilion is located in Ashburnham Memorial Park beside the PMA and is available to rent through the City of Peterborough website.

Fun stuff to see and do

There's so much to see and do at the PMA! From hands-on displays to playful toys and interactives, fun awaits visitors of all ages. Please see list below for engaging activities to enjoy during your visit.

Start your adventure by choosing an animal backpack to take with you as you travel through the exhibition! As you explore, look for bear paw prints - each one marks the spot of a fun activity. Everything you need for these activities can be found inside your backpack. Happy exploring!

Are you up for the challenge? Search the permanent exhibition for the artifacts pictured on your scavenger hunt. Once you've found them all, go to the front desk to claim a prize.

Jellybean, our black bear mascot - is missing her 10 bear cubs! Help her find them by looking high and low as you walk through the exhibition.

Get cozy on the bean bags chairs and enjoy a book from our curated book nook.

The exhibit space offers a variety of fun play stations, including puppets, dress up clothes, toy trains, pretend kitchen and LEGO.

We offer a variety of seasonal crafts and activities that change through-out the year.

Visiting the Archives?

Access to the Archives is provided by appointment only. Please contact our Archivist to set up an appointment. If you are looking to do some specific research, please let us know what you are looking to find as we may be able to help get you started.

Rainbow Registered

We are officially Rainbow Registered, an accreditation administered by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce that reflects commitment to creating a safer, more welcoming and inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Find 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusive businesses across Canada at https://rainbowregistered.ca/.

Accessibility

We are an accessible facility with an accessible parking space located close to our entrance. We also have an accessible playground structure and strive to be compliant with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. If you would like to see a portion of our exhibition gallery before visiting, scroll further down this webpage for a virtual tour.

Bus route information

Use Peterborough Transit to get to the museum on route Weller #4 - you'll arrive at the museum's door 10 minutes after leaving the terminal. The bus arrives at the Museum stop at approximately 30 minutes past the hour, every hour during operational hours.

Land acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that the Peterborough Museum & Archives is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaty First Nations, which include Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

The Peterborough Museum & Archives respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity, and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.