Archives and Research

The archives area at Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre is filled with items pertaining to:

•Steamships, specifically those who belonged to the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company as well as others throughout the world
•Wooden boat information, specifically pertaining to the builders in Muskoka but some information on other North American boats
•Hotels and resorts of Muskoka
•Town, lakes and geographic places of Muskoka including maps
•Lumbering, pioneering and hunting during Muskoka's early days

archives artifacts

These archives are comprised of objects, post cards, magazines, books, and textual information. The extensive collection of photographs from the last 125 years is what the collection boasts as it's large collection.

If you are writing an article or book on any aspect of Muskoka, searching the history of your antique or classic boat or would like to browse this historical collection, please call 705-687-2115 for an appointment.

original segwun dishware

If you have items pertaining the above themes that you would like to donate, the archives at The Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre would like to add to their collection. Please call 705-687-2115 for information.

For research requests concerning Muskoka steamships, wooden boats or hotels contact: archives@realmuskoka.com

Muskoka - The beginnings of Tourism

- Article by Carol S. Evans

Did you know?

The R.M.S. Segwun continues to be recognized by Canada Post as a "Royal Mail Ship" and that mail can be hand-franked or cancelled from the ship as they did more than 100 years ago.
In 1974, the Segwun was recommissioned by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
In 1996, the Wanda III Steam Yacht was recommissioned by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
The Segwun's coal comes all the way from Kentucky.
Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre opened in 2006 and celebrates Muskoka's steamship era, grand resorts and hotels and the region's rich boat-building history.
Wenonah II is Canada's newest passenger vessel combining turn-of-the-century charm with modern conveniences such as air-conditioning and an on board elevator.
The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre is home to North America's largest in-water display of antique and classic boats.
The ship's private label wine is one of the few given permission by the LCBO to be sold in stores throughout Ontario.
In 2001 and 2002, the Segwun won the award of "Best Large Attraction" by Attractions Canada.
In 1988, the Segwun won the prestigious "Phoenix Award" presented by the Society of American Travel Writers. Recipients are chosen for their outstanding efforts in preservation and conservation.
In years past, a steamship purser used to take tickets as passengers boarded. Today, our Purser is responsible for all guest services on board including your dining experience.
The Segwun used to carry passengers, freight and mail to a variety of ports on the Muskoka lakes before the days of the automobile.
Each year, the Segwun and Wenonah II host upwards of 30 memorable wedding ceremonies and receptions.
In recent years the shift to air transport for mail has left only three ships with the right to the prefix; RMS Segwun, which serves as a passenger vessel in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada, RMS St Helena, which serves the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic,^[9] and RMS Queen Mary 2. QM2 was conferred "RMS" by Royal Mail when she entered service in 2004 on the Southampton to New York route as a gesture to Cunard's history – The RMS Segwun is the oldest Royal Mail Ship in the world.