The OMHC logo was adopted in 1987, based on the capstan cover – a compass rose – from the Port Stanley wreck, an OMHC project
The OMHC is a non-profit organization founded to promote research, interpretation and preservation of Ontario’s marine heritage. After 50 years, that commitment is as strong as ever!
Since its formation, the OMHC has supported and been actively involved in over 60 research projects (some of these long term) around the province. Topics have been as varied as submerged prehistoric shorelines, caves and portage sites, shipwrecks, comparative surveys, resource monitoring and early port documentation. Members have presented over 30 training workshops and seminars and have been actively involved in government-sponsored reviews of heritage legislation and regulations. Communication and outreach have been enhanced by the OMHC website, Facebook page and newsletters. The OMHC was instrumental in promoting the creation of the Ontario Marine History and Underwater Archaeology Resource Centre housed in the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Our membership includes professional archaeologists, marine historians, and individuals with extensive experience in underwater technology/equipment, photography and mapping. The membership includes scuba divers with experience on sites all over Ontario, other parts of Canada and internationally.
It is our goal to keep the strengths of our organization, totally volunteer and not for profit, in a position where we can not only celebrate our accomplishments of the past 50 years, but continue to plan for future projects in marine heritage and archaeology. In 2024 alone, we ran multiple projects: 1) excavation of a shipwreck located on the shoreline of Point Farms Provincial Park (near Goderich), possibly a coastal schooner; 2) excavation of what are possibly the remains of the shipwreck JERSEY CITY, which wrecked off the coast of Long Point, Lake Erie in 1860. Part of her remains are buried in the beach sands of the outskirts of Long Point 3) continuing survey and ground truthing “hits” for the remains of the MAGNET (originally a civilian craft, the ‘Governor Simcoe’, 137 tons, launched at Kingston in 1793; taken over by the Provincial Marine in 1811 and renamed ‘Sir Sidney Smith’. Renamed again in 1814 as ‘Magnet’. Her final armament was ten 24-pounder carronades and one “pivot gun”. On 5 August [1814] ten miles west of the mouth of the Niagara River the commander of the ‘Magnet’, drove the schooner ashore and blew it up to avoid being captured by Chauncey’s squadron. Chauncey, of course, was in command of U.S. naval forces on Lake Ontario.), 4) survey and recording in 3D the 19th century shipwreck OLIVER MOWAT in Lake Ontario, 5) research of dug-out canoes in Ontario 6) survey of wreckage in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Region, and 7) continued work recording the wreckage of the GOLDEN WEST in Georgian Bay, an 1884 schooner.
All of these projects are conducted by volunteers, primarily with their own monies funding their projects.
We are respectfully asking for your assistance to keep our organization strong and vibrant. Any contributions that you can make towards supporting the Ontario Marine Heritage Museum, the 50th year celebrations and on-going and future projects would be a positive step in the recording and preservation of our very finite marine heritage.
We would be pleased to put your name and/or institution and logo on our 50th celebration program. If you feel you can provide merchandise towards our 50th celebration gift bags, these would also be welcome. We are hosting 70 individuals for this event. You can send your information for the program brochure (and merchandise for the gift bags) to Scarlett Janusas (celebration organizer), janusasscarlett@gmail.com, 269 Cameron Lake Road, Tobermory, Ontario, N0H 2R0.
How you can donate:
Method 1: By Credit Card at our Square Site: https://ontario-marine-heritage-committee.square.site/
or
Method 2: etransfer to: treasurer@ontariomarineheritagecommittee.ca
You can donate to the OMHC 50th Anniversary Events or Excellence In Marine Heritage for Arthur Amos Award.
Thank you!
