Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that Huntsville is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, specifically the Chippewa, Ojibwa and Potawatomi peoples, under the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaties of 1923.
Together, we honour and thank indigenous peoples – all First Nations, Métis and Inuit – for their cultures, their languages, their wise teachings and ways of being, their stewardship and protection of the lands and waters - and life - that have shaped this place since time began.
Together, we commit to acknowledge, to learn, to educate, to create opportunity and to honour sacred places, and to work hard for real Truth and Reconciliation in support of our commitment to wellness for all, and for future generations.
Historical moments
Muskoka Heritage Place is enriched with history. There is always something to learn about us:
- 1958 – Muskoka Museum opens on Caroline Street
- 1960 – Huntsville Rotary Club appointed by Town of Huntsville to operate the Muskoka Museum
- 1961 – Rotary purchased part of Watson Farm for half of market value for a Pioneer Village
- 1964 – Hill, Darling and Hares House on site
- 1965 – Construction begins on new Muskoka Museum
- 1966 – Watson Workshop moved to village
- 1967 – New Muskoka Museum opens, school, store and blacksmith shop moved to Village location
- 1971 – Muskoka Pioneer Village officially opens; entrance near the Hill House
- 1971 – Friends of Muskoka Pioneer Village organized to support village operations
- 1972 – Boles Barn moved to village, serves as admissions building
- 1974 – Livery built
- 1974 – First Sawmill moved to village
- 1976 – Church and Inn moved to village
- 1980 – Town of Huntsville assumes responsibility for daily operations
- 1981 – Spence Inn renovated and opened by Lieutenant-Governor John Aird Black
- 1983 – Maw House moved to village
- 1984 – Huntsville and Lake of Bays Rail Society formed
- 1985 – Ashworth Hall moved to village
- 1987 – Cann Lake property purchased
- 1988 – Great Pumpkin Trail, annual family Hallowe’en event begins
- 1994 – Muskoka Museum display “Muskoka at Work and Play” opens
- 1994 – Village admissions moved to Muskoka Museum addition.
- 1997 - Name changed to Muskoka Heritage Place, Portage Railway begins construction
- 2000 - Portage Flyer train begins operations
- 2001 – Lieutenant-Governor Hillary Weston visits Muskoka Heritage Place
- 2002 – Indigenous peoples component added to museum and site
- 2002 – Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman part of Canada Day celebrations
- 2004 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – Muskoka at War
- 2004 – Prime Minister Paul Martin celebrates National Aboriginal Day at Muskoka Heritage Place
- 2004 – Portage Flyer Christmas annual event begins on the Saturday before Christmas Eve
- 2007 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – Muskoka Creative
- 2007 – Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman part of National Aboriginal Day celebrations and opening of Metis component in Muskoka Museum
- 2008 – Muskoka Museum/Muskoka Pioneer Village / Muskoka Heritage Place 50th anniversary
- 2009 – Portage Flyer closed for the season. Rotary Village Station and track re-aligned due to Canada Summit Centre construction
- 2009 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – The Story of Steam
- 2010 – Portage Flyer and Rotary Village Station re-open
- 2010 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – Gr8 Nations, G8 Exhibit
- 2011 – Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town partially filmed in the Village
- 2012 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – Parks 101, 101st anniversary of Parks Canada
- 2014 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – War: What is it good for?, 100th anniversary of the Great War/WWI
- 2019 – Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit – Healthy Huntsville, History of Healthcare in Huntsville, in collaboration with Huntsville District Memorial Hospital/Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary, Huntsville Hospital Foundation
- 2021 - Muskoka Museum temporary exhibit - A Tough Go, a brief overview of the hardships the settlers experienced in travelling to Muskoka and survival for the first few years.
Our core values
Honesty. Courtesy. Respect. Safety. Fun.
Our mission
To collect, care for, interpret and preserve a viable collection of historical artifacts, documents, photographs, archives and other materials particular to Muskoka; and to provide a uniquely historic attraction which imparts accurate, educational, historical information in a spirited and entertaining manner pertinent to the Muskoka Experience.
Muskoka Heritage Place aligns with an is supportive of the Town of Huntsville's Strategic Plan.