Attention sports fans and history buffs alike. Don’t miss your chance to learn about the areas rich and proud sports heritage at the region’s only sports museum and hall of fame.
Featuring an exhibit gallery designed to resemble the various venues of sport, a ski chalet and arena contain memorabilia relating to a rich tradition of winter sport activities. An old style stadium takes you to the days of summer and the stories and photographs from years past.
The Hall of Fame area celebrates the athletes and builders who have brought pride and honour through their many accomplishments. Educational programs and tours are offered for schools and groups. A sports library and archives are available for researchers.
Located in a historic building at 219 May Street South, beside City Hall, in Downtown Thunder Bay South, this heritage facility is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 with admission by donation.
Amenities
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Family-Friendly -
Parking -
Washrooms
Fun Facts
While currently housing the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, the building located at 219 May Street South in Thunder Bay has a history going back over a century.
Originally granted to John McKellar in 1887, this property was sold in 1894 to George J. Begg for use as a house. Mr. Begg sold the property to the City of Fort William in 1911 and the City, in turn, granted the lot to the Province. The announcement that a Lands and Titles Building would be located at Fort William appeared in the press on April 22, 1913. Constructed between 1915 and 1916 The Fort William Land Titles & Registry Offices building opened in June 1917 and continued in operation until November 19, 1971. The original structure featured a sky light surmounting a glass dome, which was removed during one of its two major renovations which took place in 1958 and 1970.
The Thunder Bay Historical Society moved into the building and officially opened their Museum on December 8, 1972. In 1977, the Province granted the property to the City of Thunder Bay. The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame took possession of the building in 1996 and undertook extensive mechanical, electrical and architectural renovations to house and display their collection of sports artifacts and archival materials.
The building currently houses a sports museum and hall of fame which has been designed to resemble the various venues of sport including an old style box office and concession, a ski chalet and arena, an old style store front and an outdoor stadium all of which contain exhibits about the rich tradition of sports from yesteryear and today.
