Three exhibits are located on the third floor of the Thunder Bay Museum.
Here you will find a gallery dedicated to our rich musical heritage, an exhibit of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario’s military history, and rotating temporary exhibits in the Antechamber Gallery.
Antechamber Gallery
A Journey Through Time: Archaeology of Northwestern Ontario and the Lake Superior Area
26 October 2024 to March 2025
The Thunder Bay Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society, in partnership with the Department of Anthropology at Lakehead University, the Thunder Bay Museum, and Woodland Heritage Northwest, proudly presents A Journey Through Time: Archaeology of Northwestern Ontario and the Lake Superior Area. This exhibit offers a rare and fascinating look into the lives of ancient peoples through a unique collection of irreplaceable belongings from the distant past. We recognize that these belongings represent the histories of many nations and are displayed here on the traditional lands of Fort William First Nation, a signatory to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850, as well as the community of the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation.
Military Exhibit
Stand on Guard: Our Military Heritage
Military power in Northwestern Ontario began with the War of 1812 but the first formal military unit was created in 1885 (later known as the Lake Superior Regiment), and others followed–army, navy, and air force–particularly in the two World Wars. The honours achieved by local soldiers are second to none.
Some of the uniforms on display include:
- that of Charles McLennan, 96th District of Algoma Battalion of rifles, 1887
- the First World War flying suit used by Alfred Coombs
- that of Col. Robert Keane who lead the LSR during the Second World War
- Red Cross uniforms worn by Mary Miller during the Second World War
Other notable artifacts include:
- First World War German machine gun
- First World War LSR brass band drum also used in Second World War
- Second World War mine detector
Music Exhibit
Music to our Ears: Notes from Thunder Bay’s Musical Past
This exhibit is a comprehensive collection of musicians and bands throughout Thunder Bay’s history.
From the earliest brass band (dating from the late 1870s) to the most modern rock group, they are all here in picture, artifact or song. Included are such well-known Thunder Bay musicians as Bobby Curtola, Paul Shaffer, The Golden Dogs, Suzanne Hou, the Fort William Male Choir, Jon Vickers, Karina Long, The Negatives, Tommy Horricks, Hugh LeCaine, Tyler Yarema, Billy Ziegel, Myrna Lorrie, Buddy DeVal, Don Grashey, Jerry Palmer, The Ryde, Rodney Brown, Cosimo Filane, Flipper Flanagan’s Flat Footed Four, and hundreds of others.
The exhibit also includes a variety of instruments such as a beautiful, hand-crafted accordion made by Mr. Baldovin of Fort William, and an Irish lute harp circa 1809 that was brought to Canada in 1924.
