Accessing the Collection

Passport issued to Monika Ciepiela, 1929.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 [DI2016.169.38]

How can I access the Collection?

The Museum is working to make the records of its entire collection available to the public through the Museum website.

A portion of the collection is currently available online. To search, please visit our Online Collection Search page

If you are planning a visit to the Museum, you can access the collection by appointment with collections staff. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Collection Manager, Jennifer Hevenor, at jhevenor@pier21.ca.

War Brides arriving at Pier 21, 1946.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 [DI2016.413.1]

What can I find in the Collection?

The Museum’s collection holds oral history interviews, written stories, digital photos, archival documents, and a small collection of artifacts. Areas of strength include:

Ramp at Pier 21, 1965.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 [R2013.1362.90]

• Immigrants who arrived from Europe between 1928 and 1971, and who entered Canada through Pier 21;
• British Home Children;
• War Brides and their children who arrived during and immediately following the Second World War;
• Canadian veterans who embarked and/or disembarked for service overseas during the Second World War;
• British Guest Children who were evacuated to Canada during the Second World War;
• Postwar Displaced Persons and political refugees who entered Canada through Pier 21;
• Canadian immigration and customs officials, as well as foreign service workers who served overseas.
• Newcomers who arrived in Canada post-1971, through various ports of entry.

How to find out more?

If you would like to learn more or to make an appointment to conduct research using the collection, please contact the Collection Manager, Jennifer Hevenor, at jhevenor@pier21.ca.

The collections team strives to provide a high level of service. Due to high demand, public inquiries can take 5 to 10 weeks to complete.

Customs officer at Pier 21, 1965.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 [R2013.1362.100]