On Saturday, May 18, Muskoka Heritage Place – Museum, Village and Train – will open for the 2024 season. Whether you visit for a few hours or plan a whole day experience, there is something for everyone to enjoy this spring and summer such as the scenic train ride along the Muskoka River, discovering its two museums, and exploring the pioneer village.
The pioneer village features several family homes, a working blacksmith, general store, schoolhouse, church, woodworking shop, and barn that portrays the history of early settlers in Muskoka during the 1880s.
While exploring the village, meet our friendly costumed narrators and try your hand at candle dipping, carding wool, bending iron, sampling a freshly baked scone, taking a lesson in the schoolhouse, dressing in period costumes, meeting the farm animals, or playing period games.
A visit to Muskoka Heritage Place isn’t complete without a scenic ride on our open-air train that travels 1km along the Muskoka River. The train boards at the Rotary Village Station Steam Museum, where visitors can explore its permanent exhibit, “Full Steam Ahead: By Rail and By Water.” The line preserves a unique piece of local railway history, part of what became known as the “smallest commercially operated railway in the world.” Explore this history and take in the stunning views of Fairy Lake while aboard the Portage Flyer Train.
Visitors can expect fresh exhibits at the Fairy Lake Station, and in the museum gallery at the admissions building. Staff are putting the finishing touches on a new temporary exhibit entitled: “Making Herstory, Women of Huntsville.” Explore the fascinating stories of Sarah Hunt, Cora Shay, Mabel Patterson, and many other women who broke the societal mold of a “traditional housewife” at the turn of the 20th century.
All of this and more, including special activities for National Indigenous Peoples Day, Father’s Day Train, and more, make the Muskoka Heritage Place a destination to add to your bucket list this year!
The Museum and Village are open daily from May 20 to October 7, with hours of operation from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry is 3:00 p.m.). Train times vary throughout the season. For details and schedules, please visit muskokaheritageplace.ca/hours.