City of Niagara Falls Launches Museums Collection Optimization Project

NIAGARA FALLS, ON — The City of Niagara Falls is beginning a multi-year Museums Collection Optimization Project to support the relocation and long-term preservation of artifacts from the Willoughby Historical Museum (WHM).

This initiative follows Niagara Falls City Council’s decision on August 26, 2025, to permanently close the Willoughby Historical Museum. The museum, located along the Niagara Parkway between Fort Erie and Chippawa, operated for 57 years after opening in 1968 in a former one-room schoolhouse.

The decision was based on several factors, including low visitation due to the museum’s rural location, its small size and seasonal hours, and the cost of continuing to operate the facility compared to relocating and properly caring for the collection.

The museum will not reopen, including for the 2026 summer season, as this project gets underway.

Project Overview

• The City’s Museums Collection Optimization Project will focus on reviewing approximately 10,200 artifacts currently housed at the Willoughby Historical Museum.
• During this time, the City will pause collecting new artifacts so staff can focus on this work.
• Additional staff will be brought in to help document, review, and safely move items as needed.

Artifact Review and Preservation

• Each artifact will be carefully reviewed to decide whether it will be kept, relocated, or removed from the collection, based on museum standards and long-term value.
• Items with historical significance will remain part of the City’s collection and will continue to be preserved.

Supporting Long-Term Cultural Goals

The Optimization Project is part of a broader effort to strengthen how the City manages and protects its cultural assets.

Key objectives include:

• Optimizing storage space
• Enhancing collection management practices
• Improving long-term preservation conditions
• Ensuring historically significant artifacts remain accessible and well cared for

This work will help position the City’s museum collection for long-term sustainability while maintaining its historical integrity.

Residents can learn more about the Museums Collection Optimization Project and ask questions directly to the project team at: letstalk.niagarafalls.ca

For more information, contact:
Sara Byers
Assistant Curator
City of Niagara Falls
905-356-7521 ext. 3345
sbyers@niagarafalls.ca