Windsor now has a new museum downtown.

The 11,000-square-foot Chimczuk Museum was officially opened by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and members of city council at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

“Our Chimczuk Museum is a tremendous attraction with so much rich history to share,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. 

The museum occupies the main floor of 401 Riverside Drive West, while the Art Gallery of Windsor occupies floors two and three.

“Between our new museum, the Art Gallery of Windsor, the François Baby House, the Capitol Theatre, home of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and our beautiful aquatics complex, we have a host of top quality family attractions for residents and visitors alike - all within our downtown core,” says Dilkens.

Funding sources for the $5.7-million project included nearly $2 million from the federal government’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, over $3.3 million from the bequest of Joseph Chimczuk, and the remainder from the City of Windsor’s capital budgets. 

The provincial government also contributes to operations through the Community Museum Operating Grant.

As part of the project, Windsor’s Community Museum has rebranded to reflect its expanded scope.  “Museum Windsor” encompasses the François Baby House, the Chimczuk Museum and the Interpretive Centre at the Duff-Baby House in Sandwich.

Museum officials have tours and special programming at the Chimczuk Museum and Maison François Baby House, as well as the Art Gallery of Windsor, today and Saturday. Both days are offered free to the public.