Our History

“…we were consciously envisioning a publicly owned gallery and actively planning and collecting for it, convinced that [it would] would one day blossom into a distinctively Canadian sanctuary that could be enjoyed by all. Our enthusiasm had been infectious and persuaded many of those who shared our vision to give us their paintings. It was an extraordinary demonstration of trust that turned our plans from a personal desire for the fulfillment of our ideas to a deeply felt moral obligation.”

– Robert McMichael, One Man’s Obsession (Prentice-Hall Canada Inc., 1986), p.148

The story of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection begins in 1952, when Robert and Signe McMichael purchased ten acres of land in the village of Kleinburg, Ontario. Architect Leo Venchiarutti designed the McMichael’s original home in 1954, as well as the subsequent additions in 1963, 1967, 1969 and 1972.

Moved by the natural environment, the McMichaels began collecting works of art by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, artists who also drew inspiration from the natural landscape. By the early 1960s, hundreds of people were visiting the McMichaels’ growing private gallery. In 1965, the collection comprised 194 paintings, some purchased by the McMichaels, others donated by generous donors as well as by the artists themselves.

As the size and importance of their collection grew, the couple realized that they were the custodians of a national treasure. In 1965, the McMichaels offered to donate their collection– as well as their home and land – to the Province of Ontario. Eight months later, on July 8, 1966, the “McMichael Conservation Collection of Art” officially opened.

A.Y. Jackson lived in the McMichaels’ home for the last years of his life, and – as seen in the photo on the upper left – often held great audiences of attentive listeners. In the lower photo, a team of helpers are moving the single-tree bench donated by the B.C. Forest Council and carved by Douglas Cranmer, now installed permanently in Gallery 8.

Browse our timeline to learn more about the many significant milestones that comprise the history of the McMichael: https://www.mcmichael.com/milestones

Photograph in black and white of rear view of twenty or so children and one adult walking down a long driveway. There is grass and trees on either side of the driveway.
oil painting of buildings in a streetscape
Photograph in black and white of a man and woman in a sitting room.The man is standing by an open stone fireplace reading a book. There is a fire in the hearth. The woman is seated on one of a number of chairs. She is petting a black dog. There are five paintings behind them on log and plaster walls and a window with view of trees to the right.
Stylized image of three people looking to the left. Images of birds and reptiles are apparent. The whole is brightly coloured in blues, greens, purples, oranges, reds and browns and some white within outlines of black.
painting of a man and a woman walking in a flower meadow beside a stream. Hills in background. The woman is holding a bunch of white flowers.
black and white photograph of man painting on a canvas
photograph of the interior of a room with window; table, chairs and artwork on easels
oil painting of young plant in a pot on windowsill with view of trees in snow outside

Conversations Masterworks from the Collection

September 10 - December 31