Ron Morel Memorial Museum
Since 1971, steam locomotive 5107 has been at the head of Kapuskasing’s local history museum, the Ron Morel Memorial Museum. The 5107, the two coaches and the caboose, were all brought to Kapuskasing through the efforts of the late Ron Morel, an avid railroader who wanted the town to have a permanent museum and tourist attraction.
Canadian National car #5145, which immediately follows the locomotive, houses an impressive 32 by 8 foot working HO-gauge railway model. Many enthusiastic volunteers built it over the fall and winter of 1970. Visitors of all ages enjoy this stunning display. This car also houses a working N-gauge model, photos, blueprints, lanterns, silverware, dishes, stamps and many other railway-themed objects.
CN car #5372 houses the local history section of the museum. This car features a permanent exhibit on our town’s beginnings as an Internment/Prisoner-of-War Camp during World War 1.
The little red caboose (#75848) serves as a gift shop and office. Souvenirs are obviously train-related, but Town of Kapuskasing trinkets are also available.
The museum is also the caretaker of the Maurice Gaudreault clay sculpture collection titled “I Remember Still...” which depicts northern history as shown through the artist’s personal family history. Sculptures show the coming of the railway, the lumber industry, the work of the pioneer farmers to clear and settle their lands and the social and family life of the artist’s parents, grand-parents and friends and neighbors where he grew up in the Moonbeam and Fauquier areas.
To encourage your repeat visit, there are new exhibits every year, exhibits that highlight some aspect of life in Kapuskasing, whether it is activities, architecture, people or events.
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