The Arnprior + District Museum is located under the distinctive clock tower in the heart of downtown Arnprior, Ontario. Housed in a designated Thomas Fuller post office circa 1896, the exhibits and collections offer a walk through Arnprior's rich and colourful history. The building was nearly demolished, but was saved through the foresight of David and Jessie Gillies who offered it to the town for use as a museum and library as part of a centennial project in 1967.
Permanent and travelling exhibits are located on two floors and there are several inspiring video exhibits to view. Exhibits are changed and refreshed often so visitors can experience the vast material culture the museum holds of the community. They cover all aspects of life in an Ottawa Valley town with roots in the lumber industry at the confluence of the Ottawa and Madawaska Rivers.
A garden along the east side of the building commemorates the Prince of Wales visit to Arnprior in 1860. Funding for the garden came from the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Fund.
The Arnprior + District Museum is owned and operated by the Town of Arnprior and generously supported by the Ontario government's Community Museum Operating Grant, Ontario Power Generation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the World War Commemorations Community Fund, the Friends of the Arnprior + District Museum, and the Museum Reserve Fund. We are grateful for donations from generous local individuals and businesses. We are a member of the Renfrew County Museums Network.