Tucked away just minutes from Huntsville’s downtown core is a small community unspoiled by the passing of time, its citizens resplendent in clothing out of one of those old sepia turn-of-the-century photographs. There’s hardly a piece of machinery among the community’s residents… instead, when work’s to be done, it’s done the old-fashioned way, by hand.

  These costumed characters are not the members of some back-to-nature sect. In fact, they’re the volunteers and summer staff that ensure Muskoka Heritage Place is an authentic reproduction of early pioneer life in Canada. 

  Located two hours north of Toronto, the 90 acre Muskoka Heritage Place is just 1 km from historic downtown Huntsville and perfectly encapsulates life as it was in the late 1800s. Adding to the sense of realism is the fact that 18 of the buildings located on the site are genuine settlement dwellings from the Huntsville area.

Full steam ahead

  Muskoka Heritage Place is the proud home of the Portage Flyer. This beautifully restored steam train offers visitors the chance to learn about the train's essential link to Huntsville’s transportation and tourism history. They can also embark at the Rotary Village Station Museum for a thrilling ride aboard this blast from the past along the Muskoka River to Fairy Lake.

  The train is an excellent reminder of those turn-of-the-century days when steamboats plied the lakes immediately around Huntsville and neighbouring Lake of Bays. Responsible for transporting freight and passengers to the bustling town and the many local resorts, the Portage Railway provided the essential land link with1-1/8 miles (2.5 kilometres) of narrow gauge track over the height of land between Peninsula Lake and Lake of Bays. The railway – the smallest commercial railway in the world – operated from 1904 to 1959.

Hours & Admissions

  Muskoka Heritage Place is open 7 days per week from May 17 to October 11 inclusive. During peak summer months the train runs Tuesday through Saturdays, several times a day. For further information, telephone (705) 789-7576, e-mail office@muskokaheritageplace.org or visit their website at www.muskokaheritageplace.org. Daily village only admission is $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for children (3 -12). Daily train only is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (3-12).  Children under 3 are free.