Local museums are sure to spark your imagination as you become familiarized with local history! The United Counties of SDG offer a variety of unique local historical sites for you to explore! Spend a day visiting one of our living historical villages or visit some of the oldest sites that southeastern Ontario has to offer.
Upper Canada Village Museum
Upper Canada Village is a living museum based on the 1860s. It features 40+ historical buildings and is one of the largest living historical sites in Canada.
Monday – Sunday 9:30am – 5pm
Historic SDG Jail
The Historic SDG Jail is the second oldest jail in Ontario. Built in 1833 and closed in 2002 the various stories of the jail span centuries.
Thursday – Sunday 10am – 3pm
Lost Villages Museum
The Lost Villages Museum is of 10 historic buildings moved from the flooding of the St Lawrence seaway in July of 1958. The Lost Villages Museum is located in Ault Park, which is the oldest parks in south Stormont.
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm
Nor ’Westers & Loyalist Museum
The Glengarry, Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum preserves and interprets the history of the United Empire Loyalist migration to Glengarry County and of the Glengarry partners of the Northwest Company.
Hours: Wednesday – Monday 10am – 5pm
Sir John Johnson Manor House
Sir John Johnson was a United Empire Loyalist who moved North to Montreal following the American Revolution. The Manor is one of Ontario’s oldest standing homes being built sometime between 1784 and 1792.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Monday 10am, 2pm
The Bethune Thompson House
The Bethune-Thompson House is National Historic House. It is the oldest residence owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and was acquired in 1977.
Hours: Monday to Friday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays
The Glengarry Pioneer Museum
Established in 1962 the Glengarry Pioneer Museum consists of various log heritage buildings from the 1800s and artifacts. In the 1840s, MacIntosh’s Store was first located in the building that is now the museum. In the 1860s, it changed into the Star Inn, a stop for stagecoaches.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm, Monday’s Closed.
British Home Child Exhibit
Canadian heritage is showcased at the Aultsville Train Station near Upper Canada Village. The British Home Child Exhibit houses a collection of memorabilia and information on British Home Children in Canada.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 12pm, 1 -4pm
St Raphael’s Ruins
The St Raphael’s Ruins is a historical landmark in SDG. Built somewhere between 1815-1821 the remains of the church remain after the brutal fire in 1970 that took the roof, the tower and artifacts in the building.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Carman House Museum
The Carman House is a Victorian era cottage built in 1815. It is one of the two buildings in Iroquois that was not moved due to the flooding of the St Lawrence Seaway.
Hours: Sunday’s 10am – 4pm July through August
These museums are great historical sites to visit to learn more about the history of SDG. Make sure to give these museums a visit over the 2023 summer season.