On Saturday May 21, Muskoka Heritage Place – Museum, Village and Train –officially opens for its twenty-second season. Take a scenic train trip along the Muskoka River or discover the pioneer village and museums – Muskoka Heritage Place is a great way to spend the day. Whether you come for a few hours or plan an experience for the whole day, there is something for everyone to enjoy this spring and summer.
Ever wonder what life was like in Muskoka in the 1800s? Their 31-acre pioneer village has everything you would ever need as an early settler in 1880s Muskoka. Equip with several family homes, working blacksmith, general store, schoolhouse, church, woodworking shop, and barn, our village portrays a rich history of family and work life at the turn of the 20th century. The newest exhibit at the Muskoka Museum “A Tough Go – The Earliest Years of Settlement”, further depicts what it was like to settle the area and highlights how settlers cleared land, built their homes and how they would prepare for winter.
While exploring the village meet our friendly costumed narrators and learn from a variety of pioneer demonstration and activities. Try your hand at candle dipping, card some wool, bend some iron, sample a freshly baked scone, take a lesson in the schoolhouse, dress like a pioneer, meet the farm animals or play pioneer games.
A visit to Muskoka Heritage Place isn’t complete without a ride on our open-air train that travels 1-km along the Muskoka River to the shores of Fairy Lake, where guests can enjoy the scenic views from the Fairy Lake Station or speak to the conductor for a peek inside the train cab. While you are here, don’t forget to explore the Steam Museum, depicting early locomotive history in the area.
Guests are encouraged to view the train schedule for both spring and summer prior to planning their visit, as train times and operation days change throughout the season. In spring our Diesel locomotive operates until Canada Day on select days, and the Portage Flyer Steam Train operates in the summer from Canada Day, on select days through until Labour day.
When planning for your family’s spring and summer day-trips, consider Muskoka Heritage Place just minutes from beautiful downtown Huntsville. For more details, please visit muskokaheritageplace.ca or follow them on facebook and twitter.
