Online Resources Exploring History and Culture
Online Resources: Exploring History and Culture
In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, Museum Windsor has had to temporarily close both the François Baby House and Chimczuk Museum. However, just because patrons are not able to visit our physical locations does not mean they cannot continue to explore the rich history and culture of this region, province and country.
On this page, you will find a series of links promoting resources from local, national and international heritage and cultural organizations. This web page will be updated as new information and resources become available, so please check back regularly.
Museum Windsor Resources
Did you know Windsor is home to the first Burger King Restaurant ever opened in Canada? Check out our No Kidding! page for more fascinating Windsor facts. Interested in doing some historical research? Our Online Database is a great place to start. If you're feeling artsy, download a copy of our Museum Windsor (MW) Colouring Book or check out our Spring Break 2021 Activity Package. Museum Windsor has partnered with the Windsor Public Library (WPL) to create a COVID-19 Journal. If you would like to help by sharing your personal COVID-19 experiences with us, please consider completing our MW-WPL COVID-19 Journal (English) (French).
Make sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with all the neat stuff we are doing.
Ontario Live Video Series: Geologic History, Tecumseh's Flag, Sculpture Park
Enjoy these virtual tours of the Geologic history section of the Chimczuk Museum's permanent exhibition, Tecumseh's Flag at the François Baby House and some of the sculptures at the Windsor Sculpture Park. Visit Ontario Live to explore additional digital content from cultural organizations across Ontario.
Local Resources
Amherstburg Freedom Museum
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum website is chock full of interesting and educational material including detailed family histories for those interested in local genealogy and video interviews from descendants of people who travelled the Underground Railroad.
Art Gallery of Windsor
Have you heard about the Art Gallery of Windsor's 30-Day Art Project Challenge? Visit their site to download the free activity book and get started making your own masterpieces right at home.
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village (CTMHV)
The CTMHV has some great family friendly activities happening on their Facebook page. Right now, they are running a "Where's Betty Boop" activity and vintage recipe challenge. Make sure to like their page to stay up to date with all of their great initiatives.
City of Windsor Walking Tours
Did you know the City of Windsor Planning and Building Services Department has created walking tours of the Walkerville and Sandwich neighborhoods? You can experience these digital tours online or download pdf versions to take with you on a walk. Don't forget to practice safe social distancing if you're heading outdoors.
Essex County Branch, Ontario Ancestors
If you're interested in doing some local genealogical research while at home, make sure to check out the Essex County Branch of Ontario Ancestors. Some of their material requires a paid membership to access but their YouTube channel includes some great local history presentations.
Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA)/John R. Park Homestead
Celebrate earth month with ERCA's Earth-e Month 2020 campaign, which includes daily conservation activities, contests and more. For students stuck at home, resources exploring environmental education and human and natural history are definitely worth a look. Finally, make sure to visit the John R. Park Homestead Facebook page for fun activities, historical photos and weekly video curator clips.
MayWorks 2020
MayWorks has gone digital for their 2020 celebrations. Visit their MayWorks page to help celebrate workers' solidarity and see original content from local artists. Make sure to check out the Windsor hand made exhibit!
The Park House Museum
If you're a Facebook user, stop by the Park House Museum's Facebook Page for some fun and educational activities. They've just wrapped up a friendly competition of "Artifact Survivor" with the Amherstburg Freedom Museum - take a look to see who won. What is "Artifact Survivor" you ask? Check out their page to find out!
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)
Aside from a great site to visit to plan your next local adventure (when social distancing ends), TWEPI hosts an incredibly detailed COVID-19 resource page including information about local restaurants, breweries and wineries offering delivery and pick-up services during the pandemic.
University of Windsor
The Leddy Library at the University of Windsor provides some excellent resources for digital research. The INK pilot project provides digital access to 10,000 complete historical newspapers including several local publications. The Southwestern Ontario Digital Archives (SWODA) includes a wide variety of material including historical photographs, yearbooks, City of Windsor directories and more. Finally, if you're looking to try something new (or old) in the kitchen, check out the Historic Home Cooking Challenge for links to some historic recipes.
Windsor Public Library
The Windsor Public Library has some amazing online and digital resources, including keyword searchable newspaper databases for the Windsor Star and Toronto Star, Maclean's Magazine Archive, reference e-books and much more! You'll need a library card and pin number to access these online materials. Don't have a library card? Complete this online form for an e-card.
National Resources
Canadian Museum Association
The Canadian Museum Association's Museums at Home page contains dozens of links to programing and resources form other great Canadian museums and cultural sites.
The City of Mississauga
Mississauga Culture has launched Arts at Home: Wellness Through the Arts which provides a collection of resources and creative activities for people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The page contains links to children's activities; music and entertainment; museums and heritage; and much more.
Field Trip: Art Across Canada
This website has tons of great resources for students and adults alike. Connect with artists across Canada and gain access to do it yourself (DIY) crafts and tutorials.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection
If you have school-aged children at home, the McMichael's ArtVenture Online is a site worth visiting. It features educational activities and programming broken down by grade level with step-by-step instructions.
Ontario Science Centre
Practice Science at Home with the Ontario Science Centre. Their website has fun DIY home experiments, family game ideas, and educational videos.
TIFF has partnered with video streaming service Crave to offer a Stay-at-Home Cinema program. If you have a Crave membership, you can view a curated list of films from TIFF accompanied by conversations with special guests via Instagram.
Virtual Museum Canada
If you're interested in exploring exhibits from the luxury of your own home, Virtual Museum Canada is definitely worth a look. The website provides access to virtual exhibits from institutions across Canada on topics ranging form art to history to science and everything in between.
International Resources
Explore a wealth of online resources from the United Kingdom and beyond including free virtual exhibits about Egyptian sculpture and the history of Mexico.
Detroit Historical Society
Lots of great digital resources offer through the Detroit Historical Society. Make sure you take a look at their Detroit Video History Archive or read through their Encyclopedia of Detroit.
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
At Home with the DIA is filled with interesting content, including options for browsing the collection, programming for students and seniors, and free film screenings from the Detroit Film Theater.
Field Museum
Chicago's Field Museum has plenty of online material to keep you busy and entertained while at home. The Brain Scoop features a series of fascinating educational videos focusing on natural history. In addition to videos, they offer a robust online library including scientific images, archival material, and more. Lastly, are you interested in chatting with the largest dinosaur that ever lived? Why not strike up a conversation with Maximo.
Google Arts & Culture Page
Google has collected hundreds of virtual exhibits from around the world and conveniently organized them on their Google Arts & Culture page. The sheer number of exhibits is staggering.
The Henry Ford
The museum that prides itself on innovation has lots of great resources you can access from home. Teachers and parents can utilize educational resources organized by grade level, and anyone with a passion to learn can explore their collection online. If you're looking for something more hands-on, check out their recipe and cookbook database.
Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa
Their little page of calm features interesting quizzes, downloadable activity books, and online jigsaw puzzles created with images from their collection.
Michigan Science Center
Want to try some exciting science experiments? Check out the Michigan Science Center's Home Science Activities page for experiments you can do from the comfort of your own home!
University of Michigan - Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History has launched their Museum @ Home which includes science projects you can do at home, interesting space demos, and much more!
Museum Windsor
Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9A 5L5
Phone: For general information, call 311.
For detailed inquiries, please call (519) 253-1812.
Email: wmuseum@citywindsor.ca Online Resources: Recreation Activities Online and at Home: Staying Connected