Welcome to OMAH!
The Orillia Museum of Art & History showcases the best of Orillia and Lake Country's culture and history through local and nationally significant exhibitions. OMAH's Discovery Gallery makes art touchable and fun for all ages! Create your own masterpiece as a souvenir of your visit! OMAH is located in the heart of Orillia's downtown shopping and restaurant district and is wheelchair accessible.
The Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building was designed by Thomas Fuller and completed in 1894. This red brick and limestone clock tower building served as a federal customs house and post office until purchased by the City of Orillia in 1956. Dedicated that year as the Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building, it served as a police station, court house, jail and office space for various organizations. In 2004 the building underwent a 1.1 million dollar restoration and now houses the Orillia Museum of Art & History.
(Photo courtesy of Carolyn + Camera Photography)
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To keep up to date on what is happening at the museum including special events, gift shop sales, and new artists, "like" us on Facebook today!
Click here for a direct link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orillia-Museum-of-Art-History/221378647891108#!/pages/Orillia-Museum-of-Art-History/221378647891108
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Whats Happening at OMAH!
Festival of Banners is just around the corner
visit our events page for details!
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OMAH is proud to introduce our current exhibit
Lost Histories: The Gypsies of 1909 by JoEllen Brydon.

In 1909, the staid citizens of Peterborough were fascinated, delighted and frightened by the approach of a large group of Roma travellers who had made their way with horse and wagon up from Mexico. Brydon began following the thread using archival photographs, news stories and consulting a leading Romani author and historian. She brought the story to life in a large scale installation called "Lost Histories - The Gypsies of 1909". The exhibit received funding from the Ontario Arts Council and was short-listed for the O.A.C. K.M.Hunter Award.
Exhibit Opening: January 14, 2012 at 1:30 pm
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OMAH would like to share some fabulous news! On November 9, 2011 the federal Government announced that it will provide funding of $975,000 through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
This was amazing news and the Museum is so thankful and excited to move forward, working towards raising additional funds to renovate the current facility. The renovation will enable the museum to expand its exhibition space, education programs, it will make the facility more accessible to individuals with any type of exceptionality, and it will enhance our ability to continue to provide a rich historical and artistic space for our community and visitors to Orillia from all over the globe.
Click here for the official press release