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\u2014who needed exercise when just scrubbing and wringing out the laundry worked up a sweat?<\/p>\n
At Muskoka Heritage Place, you can experience all of these aspects of daily pioneer life (and more) from the late 1800s and early 1900s.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2014pick 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.<\/p>\n\n\t\t