Type: Museum
This museum, which spans 25 acres, is home to nearly 30 restored historic buildings documenting Markham’s history from the early nineteenth century to the present. The museum connects the history of Markham to today’s new ‘settlers’ by examining the environment and the tools we use to adapt to our changing world. The museum offers exhibits, school programs, public programs and events, and research facilities.
Programming:
Conservation / Preservation:
Architecture
- Restored homes of three early settlers.
- A nineteenth century church, blacksmith shop, cider mill, general store, and sawmill.
- A 1930s-era train station.
Archives
- Files on nearly 900 families who have lived in the Markham area, published and unpublished genealogies and family trees, birth, marriage, and death records from Markham and surrounding areas dating back to the early nineteenth century, local census records, and other genealogical materials.
- Index of land deeds, assessment roles, and voter’s lists.
- Miscellaneous documents including deeds, ledgers, diaries, journals, and photographs.
Public Programming:
Exhibitions
Changing exhibits that included photographs and various artefacts from the Museum’s collection in addition to those loaned to the museum by local individuals and families.
Education
Day and half day programs for students from kindergarten to high school focusing primarily on early life, including work, transportation, home life, and leisure, in the area. In the Museum’s research facility, high school students learn how to work with primary research materials.
Volunteer/Internship/Placement Opportunities:
This museum accepts volunteers. Interested individuals should contact the museum to arrange training courses. This museum also accepts interns from a variety of post-secondary institutions and disciplinary programs. It also recruits in partnership with government youth employment programs.
Address & Contact Information:
9350 Hwy. 48 (Markham Rd.)
Markham, ON
L3P 3J3
Phone: 905-294-4576
Email: museuminfo@markham.ca
Website: http://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/Markham/RecreationCulture/MarkhamMuseum/
Hours of Operation:
From Thanksgiving to Victoria Day (Fall/Winter), Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Victoria Day – Thanksgiving, Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Key Words: pioneer, settlement