Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre

Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre at a Critical Juncture

The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre [NORMHC} has grown and developed to the point where it is too big to remain small. It is positioned to become a major tourist attraction and this would have a very positive effect on Capreol.

The board of the NORMHC needs help NOW! No longer can a small group of tired and aging individuals, working with few resources, bring the museum to where it has to go.

I am appealing to present and former Capreol residents, because even though Northern Ontario is in its title, the museum is OURS, WE BUILT IT; WE OWN THE EXHIBITS and WE HAVE TO MOVE IT FORWARD. Doing this will create an even greater sense of pride in our community.

We need money. Donations are tax deductible and when you see our list of projects, you will see that your money will not be wasted and we need volunteers who can:

      • clean up, pick up and rake
      • build,scrape,repair and paint
      • assist with tours
      • interview some of our seniors
      • fund raise or assist in fund raising
      • help in cataloging and itemizing museum material

The building, the grounds, Prescott Park and its exhibits need our immediate attention. A project has been started to prepare and prime the 6077 for painting - this group is not aging and tired and has already received offers of assistance. The "box car home" also has to be started now so it will be ready for our opening.

Plans and projects for the next year or two include lighting and security cameras, to hopefully alleviate the vandalism; covers are required to protect exhibits; more display and storage space are required; walkways are needed in Prescott Park and a single 400 amp service is necessary to power the present site and for future expansion. Finally, the property should be fenced and made more appealing.

Long term goals include an expansion. Whether it will be a large 'one time' project or a series of modular buildings is to be determined. Also planned is a large garden/landscaped area through which a small motorized train would run.

The commitment for this year is to continue to operate a very good museum that has been called " a wonderful place to visit"; to create the box car home; to repair and paint the 6077 and the baggage/warehouse car and to clean the other exhibits and the grounds.

Important Dates and Events

      • May 10-Museum and town wide clean up

      • May 24-Proposed Welcome to Summer Celebration-Home Run Hitting Contest-Barbecue and Social

      • June 8-Official Opening Ceremonies and Recognition of the Ontario Trillium Foundation

      • June 8-The museum and Capreol co-host the Heart Health Walk

      • July 17, 18-The museum participates in OPEN DOORS

      • July 25, 26, 27- Prescott Family Reunion and Painting of the 6077

      • Aug 1, 2, 3, 4-Capreol Heritage Days including Capreol's 90th Birthday celebrations

Please pledge your support to assist the NORMHC in its initiatives.
To donate or volunteer, please call 705 858 5050 or email normhc@vianet.ca. The mailing address of the museum is NORMHC PO Box 370, Capreol, On P0M 1H0. Read more about the museum by going to the museum website.

Stu Thomas, President, NORMHC