Planning to visit us? Here is everything you can expect on your visit. McDougall Cottage Historic Site is an 1858 granite and limestone cottage located in the heart of downtown Cambridge that features exhibits, special events, tours, and more! We offer engaging activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy as well as many special events that take place throughout the year. Visit the events calendar to see special events that take place at the Cottage.

Contact Information

Telephone: 519-624-8250
TTY - Telephone for the Deaf: 519-575-4608
Email: mcdougall@regionofwaterloo.ca

Hours

Regular Business Hours: Friday to Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Hours:

Victoria Day - Monday, May 20, 2024 - 12 to 4 p.m.
Canada Day - Monday, July 1, 2024 - 12 to 5 p.m.
Civic Holiday - Monday, August 5, 2024 - 12 to 5 p.m.
Labour Day - Monday, September 2, 2024 - 12 to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving - Monday, October 14, 2024 - 12 to 4 p.m.
Remembrance Day - Closed
Christmas Eve - Closed
Christmas Day - Closed
Boxing Day - Closed
New Year's Eve - Closed
New Year's Day - Closed
Family Day - Monday, February 17, 2025 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good Friday to Easter Sunday - April 18 to 20, 2025 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Easter Monday - Closed

 

Museum Members: FREE private tours are available for Museum Members on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, by appointment. To book your private tour, please email us at McDougall@regionofwaterloo.ca

Groups: To inquire about a Cottage rental, or private group tour (of 8 or more) please email us at McDougall@Regionofwaterloo.ca

Admission Fees

Admission by donation unless otherwise noted. 

Museum members receive a 10 percent discount on walking tours, teas, workshops and talks.

Membership

Membership offers huge savings with unlimited admission to all Region of Waterloo owned and operated museums for the whole year! 

  • Single - Year Membership only $35
  • Family - Year Membership only $60 (2 adults & dependent children)

(all rates plus HST)

Purchase timed tickets with your membership

Getting Here

Address

89 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge, Ontario, N1S 2L7

Map and Directions 

McDougall Cottage Historic Site

How to Get to Us

The Cottage is a 15 minute walk from the Ainslie Street Transit Terminal bus station.

Parking

View this Parking Map to see where parking is available around the cottage.

Tips for Visiting and Visitor Policies

In the interest of safety and security for our staff, visitors, building and collections the following practices are observed at McDougall Cottage.

Tips for Visiting

  • Pets, except for service animals, are not permitted. 
  • For First Aid or lost and found articles, please approach any museum staff member and ask for assistance.
  • We encourage you to connect with family and friends with your cell phone but please be respectful of other guests around you.
  • McDougall Cottage assumes no liability for items left in the museum.  

Tips for Families

  • Visitors must inform staff immediately, should a child become lost or separated from their guardian(s).
  • Strollers are permitted  

Conduct in the Cottage

  • Children 13 years of age and under must be accompanied by a person who is at least 16 years of age.
  • The Cottage requires that shirts and footwear be worn at all times.
  • Please do not touch artifacts or items located behind barriers.
  • Photography with or without flash and video recording is permitted in the historic building, and on the grounds, for personal use only, with hand-held equipment.
  • All visitors are asked to refrain from running, shouting and generally disruptive behaviour.
  • Using profanity, obscene or abusive language is not permitted.
  • Visitors are not permitted to smoke in the historic building, and must be a minimum of nine metres away from entrances.
  • Large umbrellas, Nordic walking poles, tripods and monopods are not permitted in the historic building.
  • Pens, indelible markers and paint are prohibited.
  • Selling or attempting to sell, distribute or solicit any good or service to other guests or staff is not permitted.
  • The Region of Waterloo reserves the right to amend these restrictions. Special exhibitions may have additional restrictions.
  • Admission is subject to compliance with applicable laws, by-laws, regulations and facility rules (collectively the "Rules").  Failure to comply with the Rules may result in non-admission or expulsion or immediate revocation of membership.

Accessibility

The Cottage is not currently accessible to people in wheelchairs, and interior steps may be a barrier to people with mobility impairments.

Photography Policy

Personal Use Photography

Photography is allowed for personal use only with hand-held equipment. Photography must be non-disruptive to other visitors and staff. The use of tripods, monopods, lights, etc., is not permitted. Photography in special exhibitions is permitted unless otherwise indicated. Signs will be posted in galleries where photography restrictions apply. 

Professional Photography

Professional photography is not allowed on the museum's premises, except for patrons who have rented the museum's facility for weddings and other special events.

Rights and Reproductions

Photography is permitted for personal use only with hand-held equipment. Personal photographs may not be published, sold, or otherwise distributed for commercial purposes. Visitors may post images from their museum visit on personal social media sites, provided there is no profit involved.

Collection Digital Image Requests

Digital photographs of objects in the museum's collection are available for commercial and publishing use. A reproduction fee may apply. 

For more information regarding our Photography Policy, contact our Supervisor of Marketing and Communications

.