Beginning in the mid-1800s, the Muskoka district began to open up due to widespread lumbering and the Free Land Grant program that encouraged settlers to move here. With a number of small settlements developing on the shores of the three adjoining lakes of Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph, A.P. Cockburn saw the need for a steamship […]
Large Donation! What a Surprise! What a surprise when the door of the Archives room opened, and the guest said he was delivering 14 boxes. These boxes contained binders, each filled with plastic sleeves of 8 post cards each. The post cards are all from Muskoka! The binders were labelled Hotels, Ships, Towns, etc. The […]
If you’re an art enthusiast looking for an evening that blends captivating conversation, live music, and an engaging atmosphere, the Artist Life Stories Speaker Series is an event you won’t want to miss. This series offers a unique opportunity to connect with some of Canada’s most beloved artists in an intimate setting, and it promises […]
Four historic steam engines are now on display This article first appeared in the summer 2023 edition of Reflections magazine Steam power has been essential to the development of Muskoka since the mid-1860s, transporting passengers to the region’s many lakeside hotels and private residences, as well as moving finished goods and commodities. Employed on the […]
Every lake district needs hotel accommodation and full-service hotels. Muskoka is no different. One of the early hotels built in Muskoka was one of the largest and grandest. The Royal Muskoka Hotel was built by the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company starting in 1901. The goal was to create the finest lodging in Muskoka. Alexander P. […]
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” It is obvious that Cliff Fitchett of Houseys Rapids, Muskoka had a dream when he decided to build a new steamboat, a replica of Rob Roy. What an exciting day in July 2021, when we first viewed this new boat as it steamed around on Kahshe […]
Looking for exciting and educational activities for your kids during the holidays? The Muskoka Discovery Centre has you covered with two incredible DayCamp options: the Winter Holiday DayCamp and the March Break DayCamp. Both camps are designed to provide a fun-filled and enriching experience for kids aged 4-11. Winter Holiday DayCamp: A Winter Adventure […]
Join us for the 2025 Muskoka Wedding Show on Saturday February 8, 2025 at the Muskoka Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst! Featuring a variety of vendors covering everything you will need to plan your dream Muskoka wedding! Show hours are 9am to 4pm on February 8, 2025 Muskoka Discovery Centre is located at 275 Steamship […]
Heritage Boatworks Volunteers keeping busy with Wanda III projects The talented team of volunteers at Heritage Boatworks are always busy helping with important projects for the steamships and MDC, but recently their focus has been on items for the Wanda III. Currently they are working on several finishing touches to complete the Wanda for relaunch. […]
Gorgeous new book connects to Misko-Aki exhibit The Niagara Parks Commission, in partnership with Plenty Canada, has unveiled Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist, a stunning 256-page coffee table book that delves into the history of Indigenous peoples in the Niagara region over the past 13,000 years. This anthology features contributions from 17 authors, numerous […]
The Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre is the leader in preserving, promoting and celebrating the culture and heritage of Canada’s Muskoka District. Founded in 1973, the MS&DC is a membership-based, not-for-profit registered charity with an ongoing objective of presenting compelling, entertaining and educational experiences, attractions and events.
Charitable Number: 132617770RR0001
