The Windsor and Essex County area has truly fascinating historical and cultural landmarks. Visitors can discover Prohibition history from one of our founding business families at the Canadian Club Brand Heritage Centre, visit Mackenzie Hall in Olde Sandwich Towne or learn about the Underground Railroad at Amherstburg’s Black History Museum. Explore the trenches and barracks of the War of 1812 at Fort Malden or examine Windsor’s rich history as the birthplace of the automotive industry in Canada. Stately Willistead Manor was built by Edward Chandler Walker, son of Hiram Walker in 1917. The manor’s Tudor-Jacobean architecture reflects 20th Century ingenuity and the elegance of another era. Located in one of the most historic areas in Windsor, Mackenzie Hall was built in 1855 by Alexander Mackenzie, Canada’s second prime minister, and is constructed of limestone in the classic revival style. The Hall served as a working courthouse and gaol and is a living link between our colorful legal past and our artistic present. Mackenzie Hall now hosts drama, dance, film, music presentations, receptions, meetings and business functions.
Canadian Club Brand Centre... An hour and a half tour takes visitors back in history to the height of the Hiram Walker family’s success and his personal friendships with the biggest names in history – Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Guests are brought into the basement’s Speak Easy room where meetings were held with Al Capone and The Purple Gang and are told the story of how Canadian Club whisky quenched the thirst of many U.S. citizens for 13 long years during Prohibition from 1920-1933. Guests are invited to Hiram’s Sampling Room, a Canadian Art Gallery and into the theatre to watch a short video about the production of Canadian Club. The tour finishes with a formal whisky tasting of the premium, classic whisky, and sherry cask. Read More
Canadian Historical Aircraft Association... The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, Ontario which is committed to preserving aircraft which have significance to the history of Canadian aviation. Read More
Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village... The Canadian Transportation Museum is a state-of-the-art 25,000 sq. ft facility. It houses various modes of transportation, from the mid 1800s up to the 1992 Dodge Viper. The museum includes horse and oxen drawn carts, a 1904 Mitchell horse drawn hearse, fire trucks, Ford Model Ts and As, hot rods, Corvettes, T-Birds and more. Read More
Diageo Canada... Crown Royal is a blended Canadian whisky, 40% alcohol by volume, 80 proof. The brand is currently owned by Diageo, who purchased it when the Seagram portfolio was dissolved in the year 2000. It is the top-selling Canadian whisky in the United States. Read More
Essex County Steam & Gas Engine Museum... Currently we are restoring our collection of antique small engines, old tractors and turn of the century steam engines including the Walkerville Lumber mill Steam Engine from Windsor, Ontario. Read More
Essex Railway Station... The site consists of a restored stone railway station built in 1887, a Heritage Gardens area with markers identifying individuals and families who have contributed to the development of the Town of Essex, and antique railcars from 1909 and 1942. Read More
Ford City Discovery Centre... Although the Ford Motor Car Company was established in Windsor as early as 1904 to gain the benefit of Imperial trade preferences, it was the period during and following World War I which saw the auto industry assume predominance in the City. An area known as “Ford City” was developed around the industrial complex. Numerous large residences were built overlooking the river at that time. Read More
Fort Malden National Historic Site... Fort Malden was an army garrison, British Indian Department post, dockyard for the Upper Great Lakes and the meeting place for Chief Tecumseh and British General Brock. Fort Malden preserves elements of the second fort built by the British on the eastern bank of the Detroit River to defend the Canadian border from American attack in the first half of the 19th century. The first post, known as Fort Amherstburg, was constructed in 1796 near the mouth of the Detroit River where it empties into Lake Erie. This post was the headquarters for the British forces in southwestern Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Read More
Gibson Gallery... Amherstburg - This designated historic building is a beautifully restored Michigan Central Railroad station (1896), Romanesque in style, featuring beveled glass fanlights, decorative clay trim and dressed stone windowsills. Today it houses a “state of the art” gallery presenting works by local artists, travelling exhibits and is home to three needle art guilds. Read More
Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary... Jack Miner's bird sanctuary is one of the first North American sanctuary's of this kind and is still in existence today. Read More
John R. Park Homestead... A visit to the John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area will take you back in time to the 1850s. Read More
Kingsville Historical Park Inc... The Kingsville Historical Park & Military Museum maintains a historical park and public institution dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of historically significant objects. The Museum building holds collections regarding the United Empire Loyalists and artifacts and information on the People of Essex County and their involvement in the defense of their Country in the Fenian Raids, Boer War, World War 1, World War 2, Korea, Cold War, Peacekeeping, Bosnia, Afghanistan... and much more. Read More
Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre... Originally a 19th century district courthouse and gaol (jail), Mackenzie Hall is now the Cultural Centre for the City of Windsor, with performing arts space, theatre, art galleries, meeting facilities and a ballroom for private rentals and special events. Opportunities for group historical tours, delightful group show packages and excellent dedicated catering services are available. Read More
Park House Museum... The Park House is a year round museum catering to the needs of visiting school children, seniors and the general public, as well as being an interesting and informative place to visit. Read More
Pelee Island... From historical sites to shops, nature walks, and night life, Pelee Island provides visitors with a myriad of opportunities. Read More
Pelee Island Heritage Centre... The Pelee Island Heritage Centre aspires to research, collect and preserve the evidence of the Island’s (and neighbours’) human history and to protect the community’s natural heritage. Read More
The Henry Ford... Here, once in a lifetime is waiting around every corner. And never before seen is seen by millions. It’s where the extraordinary happens every day. This is a place like no other. The only place. The Henry Ford. Discover America’s Greatest History Attraction. The Henry Ford offers four distinct attractions: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and the IMAX Theatre. Read More
The Holocaust Memorial Center... The tale of the Holocaust is one of epic proportions. It is a history not only of evil, although the evil is undeniable, but also of great courage, strength and righteousness. Read More
Walkerville Brewery... Opening Summer 2012 in the heart of the historical distillery district, Walkerville Brewery will again be brewing handcrafted lagers and ales. A must visit on your trip to Essex County, enjoy a tour, sample our beer and take some back with you. Minutes from downtown Windsor and the train station. Read More
Willistead Manor... Willistead Manor is a 36-room mansion nestled within a 15-acre park, that offers gracious accommodations for weddings, receptions, meetings, and other special events. Read More
Windsor's Community Museum... Prominent citizen Francois Baby built a Georgian-style house on this site in 1812. The invading American army, and subsequently the British, commandeered the house during the War of 1812. After the remains of the building were acquired by the city in the 1950s, it was restored for museum use. Read More
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