The 11,000 sq ft Chimczuk Museum is officially open today after five years in the making.
The $5.7-million project is an expansion of the Duff Baby House in Sandwich, and Community Museum located on the main floor of the Art Gallery of Windsor at 401 Riverside Dr. W.
Museum Curator Madelyn Della Valle says the permanent showcase was expanded from 450 to 2,600 sq ft. The extra space will allow them to bring in rotating exhibits.
"We will have a mix of exhibits we build ourselves, or ones we bring in," says Della Valle. "This will be rotating every six months to a year."
Fourth grade teacher at St. Anne French Immersion School Steve Laforet proposed the idea of opening a modern, child friendly museum back in 2011. He says it took awhile but it was worth it.
"We did a tour right before the opening and everyone was very much impressed," says Laforet.
Officials hope the museum will help rejuvenate the city and bring people downtown.
Free tours will be offered this Saturday 10am-5pm. Regular admission for adults is $5. Students, children and seniors are $4.
The Chimczuk Museum and Art Gallery of Windsor in downtown Windsor, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Celebrating the grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Jess Craymer)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
The grand opening of the Chimczuk Museum, February 18, 2016. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
