Huntsville and Area Historical Society

03/20/2026

Join us this coming Wednesday, 7pm at the Huntsville Public Library (side door).

01/17/2026

The Huntsville and Area Historical Society is in the process of planning the upcoming meetings for the year. We would love to have your input and ideas about what you would like to see and who you would like to hear from and about. Thanks for your help.

Send a message to learn more

12/15/2025

The River

Allen Markle For eons the river has followed this same route; this jagged seam in the countryside. Patiently carved by ages of grinding ice and then modified and primped by the rivers’ seasons of raging water. It isn’t a big river by any measure, but it drains a substantial area of country to the west of Algonquin Park. From a surging, swirling flood in spring to a mere trickle in dry summers it is generally placid and unremarkable....

Allen Markle For eons the river has followed this same route; this jagged seam in the countryside. Patiently carved by ages of grinding ice and then modified and primped by the rivers’ seasons of r…

11/17/2025

📅 Save the Date!
Join the Huntsville & Area Historical Society for a fun and friendly community afternoon featuring:

🧠 Trivia Night (daytime edition!)
🤝 Meet & Greet
📣 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
📖 Reading of the Winning Story from our writing contest!
📍 Muskoka Landing Retirement Lodge
🗓 Saturday, December 6th
🕑 2:00–4:00 PM

Enjoy free coffee, tea, refreshments, and light snacks while connecting with local history lovers and celebrating the stories that make our community special.

We can’t wait to see you there!

✨ Everyone welcome — bring a friend!

11/08/2025

We’re passionate about our local heritage, and very proud to be working to keep the history in our town alive!! We are very thankful to live in such a special place ❤️

Congratulations to Katrina Cotterchio who received a 2024 Community Recognition Award. Katrina was nominated by a community member for her contributions and innovation to the Huntsville and Area Historical Society.

Learn more about the program & nominating a fellow community member: https://ow.ly/5I7650VOQrQ

10/15/2025

Check out the upcoming event hosted by the Muskoka Parry Sound Genealogy Group!

08/31/2025

Ever wonder how the Huntsville and Area Historical Society chooses which content to feature? Our archives include hundreds of photographs and documents relating to Huntsville’s history, and it can be a daunting collection to sift through. However, thanks to the recent digitization of our records, we are able to search by keywords, dates, and locations! Content is often related to the archives we are working on at the time, or simply the ones that caught our eye. Want to see a certain event featured or have a story to share? Send us a message!
Special thanks to the Huntsville Public Library for allowing us to house our records in the Muskoka Room and utilize the space for work!e

08/28/2025

Why local history matters more than ever!
It’s easy to think of history as something that happens somewhere else. School lessons were often filled with dates of global wars and broader stories of our nation. But it’s important to remember that history was also happening right here!
Studying local history helps us:
✨ Understand the roots of our community
🗣️ Highlight the voices of those often left out of national narratives
📍 See how global events shaped local lives
🤝 Build a stronger sense of identity and belonging
Every building in town and every document in our archives holds a piece of who we are. From fun summers at the cottage to the Great Fire of 1894, our shared past continues to shape our present. Explore Huntsville's local history with the free walking tour!

08/28/2025

After 2 years, the Madill Church at 254 Old Muskoka Road has been restored! Originally built in 1872, the church was put together by the community with donated logs, labour, and land. John Madill donated an acre of land to hold the Church and cemetery. The first service was held on May 8th, 1873. Beyond being one of the last remaining pioneer log churches, the Madill cemetery is also the final resting place of many of Muskoka’s early citizens. Captain George Hunt and John Madill are both buried in the cemetery. The first burial at the Madill cemetery occurred before the Church was complete; Madill’s daughter, wife of Charles Hogobaum, was buried on the property after dying suddenly at Peninsula Lake. She was brought to her resting place by canoe and trails. After years of hard work, the Madill Church Preservation Society was proud to host the newly restored Church’s grand opening on July 13.

08/26/2025

Originally from Northern Ireland, John Madill (1812-1888) moved to Canada in the 1830s, setting down roots in Clarke Township. He married Matilda Reynolds (1809-1898) in 1840, and they later moved to Muskoka together in the 1870s. John got 300 acres on what would become the Coldwell Farm, before moving to land across the road.
John donated an acre for the cemetery and Church at 254 Old Muskoka Road. The family continued their involvement with the Church beyond this, with his granddaughter Matilda Agnes (1882-1965) serving as the organist for the Church for several years. Both John and Matilda are buried in the Madill Cemetery.

08/24/2025

☀️ Step into history this summer! ☀️
Get outside and enjoy the last of the summer weather with the Huntsville and Area Historical Society’s FREE heritage walking tour! 🌿📜
Explore 26 fascinating stops through downtown Huntsville, complete with archival photos, historical stories, and audio narration—right from your phone. Whether you're a history buff or just out for a stroll, this self-guided tour is the perfect way to connect with the past while soaking up the present.
📍 Download the app and explore the town’s history today!