Thanks to the modern conveniences that we often take for granted, it can be hard to imagine what life was like more than a century ago. Transportation was by train or horse or your own two feet. Instead of a laptop or tablet or even pencil and paper, schoolkids used a slab of slate and a piece of chalk. Gyms were unheard of—who needed exercise when just scrubbing and wringing out the laundry worked up a sweat?
At Muskoka Heritage Place, you can experience all of these aspects of daily pioneer life (and more) from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
There’s the pioneer village itself, which is modeled after a turn-of-the-20th-century settlement with original buildings relocated to the site from across Muskoka or reproductions that are true to the time. Inside, they appear much as they would have during daily life for their inhabitants. Tables are set for dinner, the hotel is ready to accept guests, and the general store is stocked and waiting for customers to arrive.
Costumed narrators in period dress bring the village to life and lead guests through a variety of pioneer activities. You can sample some scones, try spinning fleece into yarn, attend a class in the one-room schoolhouse, help the blacksmith to forge some tools, wash clothes by hand, and have some fun with pioneer games. Activities vary by day—pick up a schedule at the admission desk when you arrive. And don’t forget to say hello to the farm animals before stopping in at the general store for an icy treat or at the barn for a snack.
The Portage Flyer is a beloved part of the experience at Muskoka Heritage Place. Reminiscent of The Little Engine That Could, this heritage, open-air train at one time carried passengers up the steep incline at North Portage from Peninsula Lake to Lake of Bays. Today, you could make the trip in a short car ride, but in the early 1900s, your fastest option was a lengthy ride on a steamship, followed by a short train ride during which you might have had to help push the train up the slope, and then board another steamship to get to your destination. On your next visit to Muskoka Heritage Place, enjoy a leisurely ride on the train’s new tracks next to the Muskoka River—no pushing required!
And then there’s the Muskoka Museum, which offers a chronological journey of artifacts showing human activity in the area starting 7000 years ago. Browse the displays or go on a scavenger hunt to learn more about Huntsville’s past—its five different levels of difficulty are geared to age, with a picture scavenger hunt for the museum’s youngest visitors and an expert-level hunt for those who want a challenge.
The museum’s current feature exhibit—War: What is it Good For?—wraps up this year and features WWI artifacts including several specific to Muskoka’s own 122nd Battalion, plus information and historic images in honour of the 100th anniversary of the end of “The Great War.”
To kick off summer, Muskoka Heritage Place celebrates Canada’s 151st birthday with a Dominion Day strawberry social on July 1. Look for costumed narrators, historical demonstrations, strolling musicians, and fresh strawberry scones while supplies last. Village gates open on July 1, 2018 at 9 a.m., with free admission until 11 a.m. Don’t miss Captain George Hunt and local dignitaries’ Canada Day speeches at 10 a.m. Unusual for a Sunday, the Portage Flyer train has scheduled runs at noon, 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on July 1, 2018. Admission to the village is free until 11:00 a.m. for Canada Day 2018 (and then regular admission rates apply).
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OUR … Muskoka Heritage Place is a real GEM and our local folks need to go and check it out. When we understand even a bit of our local history we open a whole new appreciation for our community.
A BIG Welcome to all who visit Huntsville and Muskoka…I believe you’ll very quickly realize why we love to live here.