What museums do?
Museums are more than just places that display artifacts — they are spaces where history, art, and culture come to life. At their core, museums collect, preserve, and share the stories that shape our communities and the world around us.
The Timmins Museum is the last remaining National Exhibition Centre in Canada. Established in 1975 as part of a federal program that created several NECs nationwide, we now operate as part of the municipality through the Corporation of the City of Timmins. At the Timmins Museum: NEC, we proudly serve the Timmins region by caring for and interpreting the rich history of our area — its people, industries, and cultures. Through exhibitions, programs, and events, we connect residents and visitors alike to the stories that define Northern Ontario.
We strive to make the museum a welcoming community hub — a place for learning, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re exploring a local history exhibit, attending a workshop, or viewing a national travelling show, each visit helps celebrate our shared heritage and ensures that the stories of Timmins continue to inspire future generations.
A Cultural Hub in Our Community
The Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre serves as a vibrant cultural hub for our community — a place where history, art, and heritage come together to inspire curiosity and connection. Through our exhibitions, educational programs, special events, and community partnerships, the museum provides opportunities for people of all ages to explore the stories that shape who we are.
As a gathering place for learning, creativity, and cultural exchange, the museum fosters pride in our shared heritage while supporting local artists, educators, and storytellers. We believe that by preserving the past and engaging with the present, we help build a stronger, more connected future for Timmins and the surrounding region.
Whether you visit to explore our exhibits, attend a workshop, or take part in a community event, the Timmins Museum is a welcoming space where culture lives, stories are shared, and our collective history continues to thrive.
We also host the local Stamp and Coin Club for their monthly meetings, as well as welcome our local Hindu community to hold their monthly spiritual gatherings. We work with a variety of partners throughout the year and have maintained strong, ongoing relationships for many years. As we continue to grow and evolve within the community, the museum has become a true cultural hub—a trusted and welcoming place where people come together to share, learn, and connect.
We’re proud to have built a foundation of trust and authenticity with our community, and we remain committed to nurturing those relationships. The museum strives to be a space where we can learn from one another, celebrate our differences, and strengthen our shared sense of belonging.
We have worked with dozens of organizations in the community which include (not limited to)
Ojibway Cree Cultural Centre
Timmins Native Friendship Centre
Misiway Milopemahtesewin Community Health Centre
Ontario Native Women’s Association
Mennonite Central Committee
Timmins Multicultural Society
Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Of Timmins
Porcupine Art Club
Take Two Theatre – local theater club
Timmins Symphony Orchestra
Timmins Public Library
Timmins Chamber of Commerce
Porcupine Dante Club
Spinners & Weavers
Northern Ontario Art Association
Northern College
Timmins Film Society
Quilts for Survivors
EarlyON Learning Centre
Porcupine Winter Carnival
Ellevive – Centre Passerelle Pour Femmes
Timmins Quilters Guild
Timmins Seizure and Brain Injury Centre
Niska Artisans
Centre Culturel La Ronde
Wakanagun Youth Healing Lodge
Timmins Youth Hub
Local School boards
Timmins Horticultural Society
TWIG – (to make healthy food more accessible to the members of our community)
Timmins PRIDE
Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board
Cochrane District Social Planning committee
Timmins Municipal Heritage Committee
Timmins Business Improvement Association
Independent Art Council of Timmins
Tourism Timmins
Timmins Economic Development Centre
Timmins Anti-Hunger Coalition
Newmont Hollinger Mine
Youth Department at Mushkegowuk Council
Museum Features
- VR Mining Experience
- Guided Tours, Giftshop
- WiFi Available
- Facilities rental (please contact the museum directly)
Accessibility
- Accessible Facility
- Support animals welcome
- Parking on-site
Getting here
Visit us in the heart of downtown Timmins! We’re just a short walk from the local business district and suitably positioned across the street from the public library. If you are travelling from other areas of the City, we are conveniently located just a block away from Timmins’ main transit station.
Contact Us
Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre
325 Second Avenue
Timmins, ON
P4N 0B3
Hours
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 12 PM – 4 PM
Admission
Admission for all is free!