The Foundation produces the Vintage Film Festival every year on a weekend in October. 
Mission Statement of Marie Dressler Foundation
To attract visitors to Cobourg to discover Marie Dressler and learn about her achievements.
Vision Statement of Marie Dressler Foundation
We strive to be the Region’s best, most progressive, and engaging community theatre and museum organization, supporting a diverse, active base of patrons, sponsors, donors and volunteers.
Marie Dressler is a well loved part of Cobourg's Heritage - she was born here and her original house has been restored and part of it is used as a museum.
This site was created and is maintained by the Marie Dressler Foundation - the intent is to further the Mission of the Foundation which is to make sure that Marie Dressler is remembered.
Vintage Film Festival
A major activity of the Foundation and its primary fund-rasier is the Vintage Film Festival. It was started in 1992 as a way to help raise money to restore Dressler House but continues as a way of remembering Marie Dressler as well as the Movies of her time. Its fundraising helps support the activities of the Foundation. The Vintage Film Festival occurs in October in Port Hope's Capitol Theatre.
Museum
Dressler House is home to a small high technology museum where you can learn more about the life of Marie Dressler and view some artifacts from her life. It is now called the Canadian Women in Film Museum and as well as Marie Dressler, it also includes information on Mary Pickford and Norma Shearer. Go to the Museum's own web site here.
History and Heritage are in the forefront of activities in Cobourg as evidenced by many related activities but only some of these are on the web.
- Cobourg History - web site devoted to the History of Cobourg
- Cobourg Museum - Sifton Cook Musem
- Cobourg Library - Extensive material available
A good deal of the material on this site was provided courtesy of Barbara Garrick, Founding Member of the Marie Dressler Foundation. Site design and operation is by John Draper. Note that the Foundation is not a department of the Town of Cobourg nor is this site operated by the Town. To contact the town, please refer to their website.
You can visit the museum at 212 King street West, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. More information on the Museum here.
Marie Dressler Foundation Board 2023/24
| President & Chair | Rick Miller |
| Corporate Secretary | Matthew Wardle |
| Treasurer | Al Brown |
| Director & Community Outreach | Scott Fraser |
| Director | Tammy Archer |
| Director | Terry Foord |
| Director - VFF Chair | Rick Hill |
| Director | Jill Kinsella |
| Director | Chris Jiggins |
Mailing Address
Marie Dressler Foundation
PO Box 673, Stn Main
Cobourg, ON, K9A 4R5
Other relevant pages on this site
- Support the Marie Dressler Foundation
- Scholarships/Bursaries - including previous winners
- Policies and Procedures
- Privacy Policy
You might also want to look at these sites:
- Looking For Mabel - Dressler page - Lots of great photos
- A Great Big Girl like me - book on Marie Dressler by Victoria Sturtevant
- Matthew Kennedy - Marie Dressler Biographer.