Museums
The city of Barrie is Canada's museum capital, with about 24 museums, historical sites and galleries, from national historic treasures to specialized museums, to offer its residents and tourists. Visit Barries various specialized museums, such as the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes where you can discover Canada's nautical heritage, or the International Hockey Museum where you can explore the memorabilia of NHL's top players. Learn more about the evolution of Canada's prison at the Correctional Services of Canada Museum and check out Canada's Penitentiary Museum, located in the former Warden's residence of the Barrie Penitentiary. This particular Barrie museum, built by inmates between 1870 and 1873, has various exhibits demonstrating inmate art, replicas of the penitentiary cells, contraband items and historical artifacts. Barrie's MacLachlan Woodworking Museum is for all ages, providing an educational and beautiful atmosphere on Grass Creek Park and offering various programs and activities to keep the kids busy during the summer. Explore the Military Communications & Electronics Museum and learn more about the history of military communications and electronics dating back to 1867. Barrie's Pump House Steam Museum takes you back in time, exploring the original steam engines that powered the first water pumping station in the city of Barrie. People of all ages can interact and learn more about steam technology, rail travel development and the operation of the water pumping station. Visit and learn more about other Barrie museums, such as the Royal Military College of Canada Museum, the Miller Museum of Geology and Mineralogy or the Museum of Health Care.
