Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives, Keswick

Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives, Keswick

Attractions

By: Rebecca Reid

Take a step back in time at Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives. Here you will journey to the late 1800s and relive Upper Canada rural life and pioneer struggles.

The Georgina Historical Society opened the Village in 1975 to preserve and showcase the area’s heritage. Georgina Island Chief, Lorenzo Big Canoe, officially launched the historical site on 10 sprawling acres.

At its inception, Georgina Pioneer Village had only two structures - a log house circa 1870 and a Free Methodist Church built in 1889.

Today there are 14 restored buildings including a blacksmith and carpenters’ shop, one room schoolhouse, Sutton West Railway Station, General Store, apothecary, Medical Hall and barn with harness shop, among others.

Detailed exhibits and realistic displays help depict life as it was for local settlers between 1850-1920. Interpreters are also on location during the summer months.

Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives is open to the public from late May through Labour Day, Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm.

The site is also available year round for hands on and informative workshops, particularly for school groups. Students will enjoy learning about what a day at school was like for children during this period. There are also March Break and summer camps and other pre-booked tours.

The Village comes alive for various special events throughout the seasons. Costumed volunteers demonstrate jobs and past-times of the pioneers such as weaving, blacksmithing, harnessing and more. The General Store is even filled with old fashioned candy, preserves, crafts and souvenirs. Be a part of Canada Day celebrations, the Harvest Festival, Heritage Faire and Militia Muster, Festival of Stories, Olde Fashioned Christmas and other cultural occasions.

An extensive archival collection is available all year by appointment only. The Archives is comprised of many Town of Georgina and North Gwillimbury records dating from 1850 - 1970 and consists of Council documents as well as many personal family records such as photographs, scrapbooks, Bibles and land records.

Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives is located at 26557 Civic Centre Road, Keswick (adjacent to the Town Municipal Offices). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, $2 kids 6 - 12 and children under 6 are free. Call 905-476-4301 ext. 284 for more information or visit www.town.georgina.on.ca.

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