History
In 1967, a group of passionate arts enthusiasts in Whitby started a community gallery, operating under the name Whitby Arts Inc. In 1969, the group, supported by interested volunteers and benefactors purchased Whitby’s Grand Trunk Railway Station which had been slated for demolition. The name ‘Station Gallery’ was adopted to reflect the heritage building. Some of the founding names included the Irwin Family amongst others…. Through the foresight of a number of local citizens and the Town of Whitby, the 1903 Whitby Junction Station continues to serve the community, not only as an art gallery, but as a part of Whitby’s heritage.
When it looked like the quaint old Victorian station might be demolished, it was purchased in 1970 by the three-year-old Whitby Arts Incorporated for use as an art gallery. The purchase price was one dollar, but with one condition: the station had to be moved. On February 16, 1970, the station was moved across the tracks to a new site at the north-east corner of Victoria and Henry Streets. All trains on the CNR were stopped at the station as they passed over the tracks. On its new site, the station was renovated for use as an art gallery and a basement was constructed under it.
1970
1974
1980
The station made its second move on October 27, 2004. While the building process was underway, Whitby Arts operated out of the Centennial Building. It is an interesting coincidence that Bill Irwin, the President of Whitby Arts Inc. during its second move, was the son of Norman Irwin who paid for the initial move.
Station Gallery began a major transformation on November 11, 2005 supported by unprecedented municipal cultural commitment. The original Victorian Railway Station and Port Stanley boxcar were moved across the street to its new location on the Iroquois Park Sports Complex landscape and expanded to close to 10,000 sq. feet with increased exhibit, studio, collection storage and administrative space.
In 2020, Station Gallery celebrated its Golden Anniversary, and looks forward to the next 50 years as a community arts hub!