It started with one sleeve …

In February 1944, a small group of Canadian women gathered at St.Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto with the idea of creating a museum to preserve their Ukrainian heritage.

With one embroidered sleeve remnant and $14.50 raised at a friend’s birthday celebration, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch was born.

The Museum was originally established as a committee of the Eastern Executive of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, part of a network of Ukrainian museums that promoted Ukrainian cultural life across Canada. At a time when culture and language were being oppressed in Soviet Ukraine, the Museum’s bold mission to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret objects that illustrated Ukrainian heritage and its contributions to Canada brought awareness of Ukrainian culture and history to Canadians in Toronto and the surrounding area.  

In 1973, the Museum became known as the Eastern Branch Museum; in 1983, it was incorporated under its own charter as the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch.

In 1979, the Museum moved to larger facilities within St. Volodymyr Institute, where it is located today.

Over the years, the modest collection of artifacts amassed by founders Jean Wachna, Dorothea Hutzulak-Mandziuk and Kalyna Sakaliuk has grown exponentially. The daughters, granddaughters and others who followed have become stewards of thousands of artifacts brought from the “old country” by various waves of immigration, as well as items from the vibrant Ukrainian-Canadian community.

As our collections grew, so did our dedicated community of members and volunteers. Since the 1980s, Museum volunteers have produced at least one major thematic exhibit annually, complemented by special programming for school groups and others. Some of our exhibits have travelled to community festivals, conferences, and symposia, and they continue to attract visitors of diverse heritage from across North America, Ukraine, and beyond. 

As we look to the future, we envision a vibrant Museum rooted in its mission to preserve and celebrate Ukrainian heritage—one that embraces innovation, technology, and dynamic educational programs to inspire future generations.

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch relies on the generosity of donors like you to carry this legacy forward. Your support helps ensure that Ukrainian culture remains accessible, engaging, and alive for all who visit.

Please join us in preserving the past and shaping the future. Let's continue the story – together.

Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous support of our museum:

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch is a proud member of the
Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association.