Chimczuk Museum Exhibits
Temporary Exhibits
A Snapshot of the Literary History of the Windsor Region
Temporary Exhibit
April 5, 2025, to October 26, 2025
This exhibition, organized by Windsor’s Poet Laureate Emeritus Marty Gervais, traces the chronology of what he calls “a gallery of heroes.” It begins with the early sketches and travel diary accounts of steamship traveller Anna Brownwell Jameson, followed by the work of abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd Cary — the first female African American newspaper editor in North America. From there, this gallery stretches from 1865 with Windsor’s first magistrate writing in his diary about joining thousands in the streets of Detroit to mark the tragic loss of President Abraham Lincoln, to the 20th and 21st centuries with such famous literary luminaries as Marshall McLuhan, Joyce Carol Oates, W.O. Mitchell, Adele Wiseman, Morley Callaghan and Alistair MacLeod. The exhibit also charts the rise of the city’s literary magazines and publishing companies, some garnering such prestigious awards as the Governor General’s Award, the Trillium Book Award, and the Giller Prize.
Photograph: Marty Gervais speaking at Poetry at the Manor, 2018. Photograph by Ted Kloske.
The Witness Blanket
Temporary Exhibit
June 3 to September 30, 2025
Travelling from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, The Witness Blanket is a powerful art installation created by master carver Carey Newman to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era, honour the children and symbolize ongoing reconciliation. Inspired by a woven blanket, this cedar-framed replica artwork features hundreds of items from Indian residential schools, survivors, churches, governments, and other cultural sites across Canada. Each item tells a story of loss, strength, resilience, and pride.
Photograph: Image of the travelling Witness Blanket, courtesy of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
The Armenian Community of Windsor
Temporary Display
March 8, 2025, to August 31, 2025
Developed by Guest Curator Christopher Waters, this display features historical images and artifacts from members of Windsor's Armenian community.
Photograph: Armenian community members on the porch of the Armenian Community Centre, formerly located at 702 Pierre Avenue. Courtesy of Keri Ashekian.
Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Temporary Display
Opens July 1, 2025
July 2025 marked the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Windsor. In honour of this milestone, Museum Windsor has partnered with members of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association to create a display located in the concourse of the Chimczuk Museum. The display includes artifacts from the Vietnam War, service medals, images from the building of the memorial, and information about Canadians killed in action (KIA) or missing in action (MIA) who served in the United States military during the war.
Photograph: Ed Johnson, Mayor Mike Hurst, Rick Gidner, and Chris Reynolds in front of the Memorial. Courtesy of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association.
Permanent Exhibits
The River and the Land Sustain Us
Featuring 2,705 square feet on the main floor concourse, this space features a bilingual permanent exhibit that tells the history of our city and people.
Features include History of Windsor: pre-history to present; hands-on exhibits; a mini-theatre with videos of Windsor's history and heritage; visitor interactive stations; visitor information stations; core educational programming and public museum tours offered by Museum Windsor's knowledgeable, engaging staff.
Children's Gallery and Learning Space
Interactive. Educational. Fun. This 1,173-square-foot space on the main floor is for the young and young at heart to explore history and heritage through interactive games and activities.
Features include Things from the Past: artifact discovery drawers; Waterways and Underground Connection: Build-A-Bridge, ship and tunnel to cross the Detroit River and explore The Great Lakes design activity; Transportation: Build-A-Car assembly line activity; Fashion In Time: historic costume dress-up; Traditional old time toys; and school and daycare programming.
Original Peoples Culture and Legacy Gallery
At the north end of the main floor concourse, this space reflects the culture, heritage, and contemporary issues of the local First Nations and Métis communities. It also provides an open and flexible gathering space for programming. This exhibit was developed in consultation with Walpole Island Heritage Centre, Caldwell First Nation, Turtle Island-Aboriginal Education Centre (University of Windsor), Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre and other local community organizations.
Features include Creation Stories, Treaties, Residential Schools and 60s Scoop, Language Revitalization, Missing and Murdered Women, Medicine Wheel Teachings, and Cultural Expressions.
Get in touch
Questions about the permanent exhibits, temporary/travelling exhibitions, tours and programs at the Chimczuk Museum? Reach out to us:
Museum Windsor
254 Pitt Street West
Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N9A 5L5
Phone: For general information, call 311.
For detailed inquiries, please call (519) 253-1812.
Email: wmuseum@citywindsor.ca
Temporary Exhibits Flickr Album Joseph Chimczuk Art Windsor-Essex