The life of early Ottawa Valley
settlers truly comes alive at The Champlain
Trail Pioneer Village and Museum. Costumed guides
await to help you step back fully in time and get up
close and personal with the traditions, historic
artifacts and displays of pioneer life.
Our Pioneer Village
Step inside our schoolhouse, built
on-site in 1838, complete with historic desks,
slates and woodstove. Take a peek inside our fully
furnished log pioneer home circa 1860. Imagine a
wedding ceremony inside our pioneer church circa
1879, which features a working historic organ and
other artifacts. (Our church is also available for
unique and intimate wedding and baptism ceremonies.
On Thursday evenings from June to September,
Evensong services are held by
various denominations).
Other outdoor exhibits include train
station, sawmill, blacksmith
shop, stonelifter, carriage shed, woodworking
shop, bake oven, smokehouse and a 1923 Bickle fire
engine!
We have a large indoor gallery of
fascinating exhibits from the region's rich past,
featuring artifacts which range from fossils and
Native Canadian arrowheads to furniture, clothing
and manufactured products of Pembroke from various
eras. See a replica of Samuel de Champlain's
Astrolabe (he brought the original to the Valley in
1613!). View our original Cockburn pointer
boat, Corliss steam engine, doctor's examination
room, fancy parlour rooms, general store, hair salon
and more!
Your Pioneer Life Experience
Your admission includes costumed
guides offering interpretation of pioneer displays
and exhibits. (Reservations for bus and group
tours are required and receive reduced admission.)
If you visit during the week in July and
August, watch 'pioneer' children in our day camp
programs engage in lively pioneer traditions,
activities and games. On Saturdays throughout the
summer, view (and take part in!) live demonstrations
of pioneer life - sheep shearing, candle-making,
meat-smoking, furniture construction, horse care,
weddings and more!
Admission
Children 5 & under: Free
Children 6-12: $1.00
Students (over age 12 through the end of
university): $3.00
Adults: $5.00
Seniors: $4.00
The Museum is owned and operated by
the Ottawa Valley Historical Society. Become a
Member now and enrich your life by helping
to preserve local history!
