Closed Until Further Notice
Wednesday - Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday evenings until 8 PM
Pay what you can donation
Photography permitted without flash, no food or drink in galleries.
Access 2
Easter Seals Canada's Access 2 card program simplifies the process of allowing persons with disabilities to bring support persons free of charge. Present your Access 2 card at the front desk to receive complimentary admission for your support persons.
Canoo (formerly Cultural Access Pass)
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship's Canoo app allows new Canadians to explore many attractions across Canada free of charge during their first year of citizenship. Simply present your app, or Cultural Access Pass at the front desk to receive complimentary admission.
Tours I Venue Rentals
Please contact us for more information regarding rates, and bookings.
519 654 0009
74 Queen Street East
Cambridge, Ontario
Canada N3C 2B1
We are located just north of the 401 in the former town of Hespeler, which became a part of the city of Cambridge in 1973.
Our building is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading up to the automatic front door. All galleries and washrooms are located on the main level. Seating is available throughout the galleries.
Free public parking is available. Please see the parking map for locations.
WARdrobe
Open dates to be announced Galleries 1 & 2
Our feature exhibition will look at how war has influenced fashion throughout history. First, the history behind our war-inspired fashion vocabulary is explored, from navy blue and sailor suits to balaclavas and Wellington boots.
The Second World War is then featured via examples of dress that illustrate utility, austerity, rationing, patriotism and nationalism.
The show finishes with a look at anti-war fashion, from Zazous to Hippies.
20/20
Open dates to be announced Gallery 3
This good look at the history of eyewear will focus on a fashionable perspective of 'specs' appeal.
Stand-Up Historians
Date to be announced
Join us for an evening of 20 minute talks by three different historians:
Jonathan Walford - ADEFA: The Aryan fashion label 1934 - 1939
Sarah Oatley - From Quizzers to Cat-Eyes: Charting the Unfashionable Journey of Glasses for Women
Kathy Dwyer - Queen Victoria's corset.
Ticket price will include admission to the museum and refreshments.
Victory Dance
October 24 (subject to change), 2:00 - 5:00 PM
This year's immersive historical event will be a 1945 Victory dance in honour of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
For those wanting to brush up their jitterbug there will be swing dance lessons in the morning for beginners and intermediate dancers. After a break, the big event will start at 2 p.m.
There will be 1940s period games, a wartime buffet (with patriotic vegetarian options), as well as door prizes, and dance and costume awards. 1940s style attire is encouraged but not required.
Dance lessons will be $15.00 per person per class. The party will be $30.00 per person, which includes all fees for ticket purchase and admission to the museum.
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite.
The Fashion History Museum was founded in 2004, became a federal non-profit corporation in 2008, and was granted charitable status by the Canada Revenue Agency in March 2009. A board of directors governs the museum with the assistance of an advisory council composed of specialists from diverse fields.
The collection consists of over 12,000 garments and accessories dating from the 1660s to the present. Alongside historical dress, the museum is building a contemporary Canadian designer collection as well as a comprehensive library and archives of fashion related publications and documents.
In June 2015 we opened at our new home in the old post office of the former town of Hespeler, now north Cambridge, at 74 Queen Street East, just minutes from highway 401.
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