Lambton Heritage Museum hits the ice with a game-winning exhibition about hockey in Canada

Grand Bend, ON – Hockey is many things — shinny on a frozen pond, the sweat-soaked smell of a locker room, a winning wrist shot, a roaring crowd. But most of all, it is an enduring national passion that brings Canadians together regardless of geography, language, gender or age. Lambton Heritage Museum is celebrating Canada’s game with a one-of-a-kind travelling exhibition from the Canadian Museum of History. Hockey, opening July 17 and running until November 9, looks at how the sport has influenced our lives, and what that reveals about us as a people.

From Paul Henderson’s winning goal for Canada in the 1972 Summit Series to Manon Rhéaume’s debut as an NHL goalie to Sheldon Kennedy’s advocacy on behalf of sexual abuse victims, Hockey revisits game-changing moments and players. By highlighting tabletop hockey games, Roch Carrier’s classic story “The Hockey Sweater,” and Shania Twain’s NHL-inspired stage outfits, the exhibition also reminds us of how deeply hockey is woven into the tapestry of Canadian life.

The exhibition is an engaging two-dimensional display that uses photographs and reproductions of key artifacts, memorabilia and works of art to present hockey highlights from yesterday and today. Listen to audio archives from hockey history and get into the game by recording your own running commentary, just like legendary sportscaster Foster Hewitt.

“The Canadian Museum of History is thrilled to share Hockey with the people of Lambton County,” said Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. “Whether we hit the ice or cheer from our living rooms, hockey is more than just a game to Canadians. It has helped shape our history and our national identity from coast to coast to coast.”

In addition to the travelling exhibition, Lambton Heritage Museum has created a special local addition. Explore local artifacts and hear stories with deep ties to Lambton County. These treasures offer a glimpse into how hockey has shaped and influenced our own community, providing a richer understanding of its significance on a local level.

“Lambton Heritage Museum is excited to host this remarkable exhibit,” said Dana Thorne, Curator / Supervisor of Lambton Heritage Museum. “Thanks to generous contributions from our community, we’ve been able to include local artifacts, photographs and stories that highlight Lambton County's rich hockey history. This adds a personal touch and connects our local stories to the broader national narrative, making the exhibition even more meaningful for our visitors.”

Hockey is at Lambton Heritage Museum from July 17, 2024 to November 9, 2024.

Admission is free for residents of Lambton County in 2024 in celebration of Lambton County’s 175th anniversary. To learn more about Hockey, please visit the exhibit page at heritagemuseum.ca.

This travelling exhibition was developed by the Canadian Museum of History. It is adapted from the major exhibition of the same name presented in 2017 at the Canadian Museum of History.

About the Canadian Museum of History

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History welcomes over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum’s principal role is to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada’s history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians’ awareness of world history and culture. Work of the Canadian Museum of History is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

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Please contact:

Dana Thorne
Curator/Supervisor, Lambton Heritage Museum
County of Lambton
519-243-2600 ext. 3151
Email Dana Thorne