City of Windsor Honoured With Award and Keepsake Recognizing Restoration and Conservation of Historic Streetcar No. 351

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined today by members of City Council; City administration; University of Windsor representatives, including Department of History Head Dr. Robert Nelson and Professor Steven Palmer, Ph.D.; Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Union Local 235 members Ryan Thompson and David Campbell; and other special guests at a gathering to recognize the City of Windsor’s extensive and impactful efforts to restore, preserve, and share historic Streetcar No. 351 with the community. 

Streetcar No. 351 Restoration Project Earns Prestigious History Award

Dr. Nelson and Professor Palmer were on hand to present the University of Windsor’s prestigious Kulisek Prize to the City. The annual prize is awarded to a distinguished finished project on the history of Windsor and surrounding Essex County, Kent and Lambton created by a group or individual member of the public. Examples of such a major projects could include the creation of an exhibition, book, film, or monument; or the restoration of a historic artifact, building, or site.

The Kulisek Prize is named for Dr. Larry Kulisek, who had a long and notable career as the Department of History’s specialist in local history, and who was a tireless promoter of local history and of budding local historians among the student body. Mayor Dilkens received the Kulisek Prize on behalf of the City of Windsor and Museum Windsor, and in recognition of the restoration of Streetcar No. 351, including creation and installation of the historic artifact and accompanying permanent exhibition at the riverfront Legacy Beacon located within the Michael D. Hurst Legacy Park. The City also recently received the Kulisek Prize for work on the Coach House Historical Exhibition at the Willistead Manor Complex. 

City of Windsor Gifted With Copper/Brass Replica of Streetcar No. 351

Business manager Ryan Thompson and organizer David Campbell of the Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Union Local 235 were also on hand to present Mayor Dilkens and the City of Windsor with a special keepsake replica of Streetcar No. 351. The keepsake is made of copper and brass and was created back in 2025. At that time, the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers held its annual conference in Windsor. The event included a competition, held outside at the Legacy Beacon, where 18 competitor apprentices were tasked with creating replica streetcars. Representatives of Local 235 have donated one of the replica streetcars to the City, where it will become part of the exhibition at the Legacy Beacon. The exhibition, created by Chris Renaud, the team at HCA Mindbox and staff from Museum Windsor, shares the story of Streetcar No. 351 and details of Windsor’s proud transportation history.

Windsor’s Legacy Beacon and Streetcar No. 351 site was nominated for Best Waterfront View in the 11th Annual Best of Windsor-Essex Awards this year by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. The site, representing a significant investment in waterfront infrastructure, attracted over 28,000 visitors during its first season of operations in 2025 and has already had over 1,000 visitors less than a month into its second season. In addition to the restored historic streetcar and corresponding exhibition, the site offers onsite concessions from a partner vendor, a beautiful 10,000-square-foot patio, and picturesque views at water level and from the new viewing platform above the facility.

The site operates from May 1 through Labour Day, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fridays through Sundays, including all statutory holidays, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. following Labour Day and through October 31. The site is closed on Mondays, aligning with operating hours for Museum Windsor. The onsite concession operates from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Public self-guided tours are available during all operating hours, with no booking requirement. Private tours are available year round, for a fee, and can be booked by contacting Museum Windsor at 519-253-1812 by phone or wmuseum@citywindsor.ca by email. All private tour bookings require at least two weeks’ notice.

For more information on Museum Windsor and the sites it oversees — including the Chimczuk Museum, François Baby House, Duff-Baby House (in partnership with Les Amis Duff-Bâby), and Streetcar No. 351 — please visit MuseumWindsor.ca. 

Quotes

“In recent years, the City of Windsor has honoured Windsor’s rich transportation history and further invested in our incredible waterfront with the creation, installation, unveiling, and first full season of operations at the new riverfront Legacy Beacon — home of Streetcar No. 351. The riverfront is our best natural feature, and this level of investment in activating new spaces, attracting residents and visitors, and creating a real destination point was a perfect project that aligned with key guiding strategies, including the Central Riverfront Implementation Plan, the Parks Master Plan, the Windsor Works Economic Development Plan, and the Strengthen the Core: Downtown Windsor Revitalization Plan. We are proud of the work that created this new amenity in Windsor, proud of the finished product, and honoured to receive this significant recognition through the University of Windsor’s Kulisek Prize, along with this generous gift from the Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Union Local 235.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“The Legacy Beacon site, and the restored Streetcar No. 351 and its historical exhibition, has become a favourite spot for people to explore some of what makes Windsor shine. With its interesting and downright cool mix of historic artifacts juxtaposed with a modern hospitality facility on the waterfront, I consider this site to be an unofficial gateway into our Downtown Windsor. We have our foot firmly on the pedal to Strengthen the Core by creating experiences, events, assets, and amenities that continue driving new investments, businesses, residents, and visitors to the core. Today’s recognition by the University of Windsor and the Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers represent well-earned acknowledgment of how the responsible investments we’ve made and continue to make are creating and sustaining a vibrant district that contributes to economic development, population growth, tourism, arts, culture, heritage, and more!”
- Councillor Renaldo Agostino, Ward 3

“With this award we recognize the extraordinary efforts made by community historians and the city's heritage experts in restoring, conserving, preserving and sharing Streetcar No. 351 and creating the corresponding historical exhibition at the riverfront Legacy Beacon. Mayor Dilkens and City Council are to be commended for their commitment to history, heritage, and conservation efforts in the community, and for making the rich stories of the city accessible to the public.” 
- Dr. Robert Nelson, Head, Department of History, University of Windsor

“A major highlight of the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers convention each year is the Annual Sheet Metal Competition, where apprentices and journeypersons showcase their craftsmanship by fabricating a copper project inspired by the host city’s history. Given its importance to our community, Windsor’s historic Streetcar No. 351 was the perfect choice for this year’s competition theme. Streetcar 351 holds deep historical significance within our city, while also reflecting the strong connection Local 235 has to the rail industry through members employed at Windsor Transload, a local rail yard and the involvement of several of our signatory contractors in the restoration project itself. Cunningham Sheet Metal (Chatham) played a major role in the restoration by custom fabricating window frames, mechanisms, structural components, and more. Spada Sheet Metal completed the HVAC work and custom-built the outdoor tables, while Cunningham Sheet Metal (Windsor) fabricated the custom handrails leading to the streetcar. The competition was held publicly to showcase the craftsmanship, precision, and creativity involved in the sheet metal trade – a skilled craft that often goes unnoticed by the public. With our members contributing significantly to both the building and restoration work, Streetcar No. 351 was a meaningful and fitting centrepiece for our convention delegates and the community alike.” 
- Ryan Thompson, Business Manager/FST, Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers Union Local 235