German-Canadian Heritage Museum

We invite you to join the German-Canadian Heritage Museum to participate in all aspects of our cultural life and maintain our traditions.

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About the Museum

"Why do we have a German Museum in Canada? That's a question some people might ask and that's also how Elke Fromhold-Treu, the present president of the Museum, began her talk held in conjunction with the lecture series 'German-Canadian Cultural Associations' sponsored by the Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada (HSMUC) ...

Elke Fromhold-Treu reminded everybody of the policy of multiculturalism introduced by Trudeau in 1967 on the occasion of Canada's bicentennial celebrations ... For the first time bigger projects were now promoted and artists were supported, which were working on an exhibition geared towards the history of German immigrants.

In 1972 one was able to view the display for many weeks in Toronto's city hall, and the year 1972 marked also the founding of the Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada.

After the great success of the exhibition, the question arose where all the collected articles should be stored. At first some of these were stationed with participating members and friends, a situation which made it difficult to draw on these articles if the necessity arose. Consequently, the call went out, "We need a museum!" - However, years passed before the dream became reality.

The HSMUC, the Hansa-Haus, the parent organization of the carnevalists, and many volunteers finally succeeded, with a government subsidy, to renovate and furnish the upper floor of the old Hansa club house at 6650 Hurontario Street in Mississauga. In 1985, David Peterson - premier of Ontario at that time - officially opened the German Heritage Museum to the public. Fred Wagner from Brantford was the first president. The aim was to research and document German-Canadian history, to collect and preserve especially noteworthy objects.

... One of the high points of the Museum was the state visit by the German Federal president Richard von Weizsäcker. He was introduced to the contributions made by German-Canadians over the past 300 years ... and was visibly impressed with the efforts of the volunteers re exhibitions, parades, picnics, annual CARAVANS in July, lectures, and interviews ... A tremendous success was enjoyed by the most recent touring exhibit of the Museum on the occasion of the First German Pioneers Day [Oct. 10, 2000].

... The Museum is open every Sunday afternoon or by arrangement. Phone: (416) 290-6651."

Excerpt of a report by Lieselotte Bollmann concerning a lecture regarding the German Heritage Museum: Das Echo, June 2001

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