(Huntsville, ON) Muskoka Heritage Place – Museum, Village and Train – officially opens for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 17. From hands-on heritage activities to scenic train rides, there’s plenty to experience this spring, summer and fall. 

The Pioneer Village is a favourite stop for visitors of all ages. Walk through a collection of historic buildings that reflect the daily lives of early settlers in Muskoka during the late 1800s. Explore family homes, a working blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, church, general store, woodworking shop, and barn. Costumed narrators bring the past to life with interactive activities like candle dipping, wool carding, iron bending, baking, schoolhouse lessons, period games, and dressing up in traditional attire. 

A highlight of any visit is a ride on the Portage Flyer Train. This open-air experience travels one kilometre along the Muskoka River, offering beautiful views and a glimpse into local railway history.  Rotary Village Station at 100 Forbes Hill Drive, Huntsville, Ontario, the train is part of what was once known as the “shortest narrow-gauge commercially operated railway in the world.” Inside the station, guests can explore the permanent exhibit Full Steam Ahead: By Rail and By Water. 

The Museum's current temporary exhibit, Making Herstory: Women of Huntsville, continues to shine a light on the lives and contributions of remarkable local women including Sarah Hunt, Cora Shay, and Mabel Patterson. 

New for 2025 is Voices in the Village, a summer evening series set in the Pioneer Village featuring acoustic music, spoken word, and storytelling performances. This family-friendly program offers a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy Huntsville’s creative talent in a unique and inspiring setting. 

Special events will also be held throughout the season, including programming for National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Father’s Day Train, and more. 

Muskoka Heritage Place is open daily from May 17 to October 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:00 p.m.). Train times vary by season.  

Visit muskokaheritageplace.ca for more details and schedules, as well enjoy the website’s newly upgraded experience.    

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