Discover Our Past at Area Museums

Sunset Country's communities can distinguish themselves from other areas for a number of reasons; not only is the landscape that surrounds the towns breathtaking, their involvement in preserving their local history is unrivaled. Luckily for visitors, their historic artifacts can be viewed in many local museums, which cover a variety of topics and themes involved with the towns.

Because the gold rush and famous Hudson Bay fur trade were important to many of the region's towns, it is no wonder most museums have permanent exhibits displaying artifacts such as equipment, clothing and house wears from the locals during the period. The history of Aboriginal peoples in Northwest Ontario is also a common display in the museums, however, each museum in sunset country have rotating exhibits, dealing with themes unique to each community - including local heroes and celebrities, commercial antiques, settlement evolution as well as fashion, photographs and written document from the past. Because of the region's backdrop, many museums exhibits deal with the natural world, incorporating the importance of environment with the importance of their communities past.

Besides the information displayed in the exhibits, many of the museums offer educational workshops for children and youth as well as adults. The workshops can span anywhere from watching videos available at the museums to arts and crafts activities, such as pottery and painting. Many of the museums also display work of local artists, which can be viewed in an exhibit or taken home for your own pleasure at the gift shops offered.

Whether it is a interest in the local art and heritage, or just a way to pass time, sunset country's museums will not disappoint and are guaranteed to leave you feeling like you had just step into another time period!

Museums in Ontario's Sunset Country

Red Lake: Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre

Kenora: Lake of the Woods Museum

Thunder Bay Area: Founders Museum-Pioneer Village

Dryden: Dryden and District Museum

Sioux Lookout: Sioux Lookout Museum:

Fort Frances: Fort Frances Museum

Rainy River: Rainy River Heritage Square Museum

Emo: Rainy River District Women's Institute Museum

Atikokan: Atikokan Centennial Museum