Markham Museum
{{Short description|Museum in Markham, Ontario, Canada}}
{{Infobox museum
|name= Markham Museum
|logo= markham_museum.jpg
|image= Markham Museum, June 2017.jpg
|established= 1971
|location= Markham, Ontario, Canada
|director= City of Markham
|website= [http://www.markhammuseum.ca/ www.markhammuseum.ca]
}}
Markham Museum (originally founded as The Markham District Historical Museum) is a {{convert|25|acre|ha|adj=on}} open-air museum located in Markham, Ontario, Canada.{{Cite book |last=Brydon |first=Catherine |title=Markham 1900-2000: Our Past Inspires Our Future |publisher=Markham Historical Society |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-9690900-2-1 |edition=1st |pages=132-133}} Opened in 1971 by the [https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/id/64741 Markham District Historical Society] with assistance from [https://markhamreview.com/markham-lions-club-serving-the-community/ Markham-Unionville Lions Club] and Town of Markham, the Museum used the former [https://www3.markham.ca/Markham/aspc/heritage/photo/details.aspx?FOLDERRSN=306678 Mount Joy School] and the surrounding 2 acres.
Over time, heritage structures from the area were moved to the Museum, adding to the 23 surrounding acres of farmland later purchased by the Town of Markham that were slated for redevelopment. In 2011, a new collections storage and exhibition hall opened to the public and in 2019 it was officially named as the [https://exhibit.markham.ca/main.php?module=objects John Lunau] Centre.{{Cite web |title=Markham Museum celebrates 50th anniversary {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/news/news-releases/markham-museum-celebrates-50th-anniversary |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}}
Markham Museum offers a unique open-air experience with over 30 historic buildings, [https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/exhibitions interactive exhibits], [https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/programs-camps public and educational programs], and seasonal events like [https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/applefest-2025 AppleFest] and Scaryfest.{{Cite web |title=Markham Museum {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}} The Museum takes pride in fostering community collaboration, offering programs and partnerships that bring people together to celebrate shared heritage and creativity. Regionally and nationally award-winning events and exhibitions mark the Museum's contribution to the community.{{Cite web |title=City of Markham named 2025 Municipality of the Year by Festivals & Events Ontario {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/news/news-releases/city-markham-named-2025-municipality-year-festivals-events-ontario |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}} {{Cite web |title=Markham Museum and Local School Board Honoured with History Award for Standing in the Doorway Exhibit {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/news/news-releases/markham-museum-and-local-school-board-honoured-history-award-standing-doorway-exhibit |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}}
Overview
Over 30 historic buildings and three interactive gallery spaces showcase the heritage of the community, combining historical stories and contemporary voices. Tours of the historic buildings take visitors through different eras of Markham's history, ranging from domestic dwellings to artisan workshops to commercial spaces.
The Christian K. Hoover House (c.1824) and the James Maxwell Log Cabin (c.1850) share the stories of local families through historical diorama while the Nathan Chapman Jr. House (c.1832) and the Burkholder House (c.1860) integrate exhibits and working studio space.{{Cite web |title=Heritage Buildings {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/exhibitions/heritage-buildings |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}}
The Cedar Grove Blacksmith Shop (c.1862), the Print Shop, and the Burkholder House are working studio spaces, in which trained artisans provide live demonstrations during special events like AppleFest and ScaryFest and for specialized programming. The Sawmill and the Cider Mill are two of the Museum's agricultural spaces that showcase older technologies; the Cider Mill is used during AppleFest to produce fresh apple cider from local apples.{{Cite web |title=AppleFest 2025 {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/applefest-2025 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}}
The Ninth Line Baptist Church (1848) is now a non-denominational building used for public programs, tours, and is available for venue rental.{{Cite web |title=Renting Space {{!}} City of Markham |url=https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum/renting-space |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.markham.ca}} The Wilson Variety Hall (c.1875) was originally located in the heart of Markham Village and shares the story of a family retail business during the Victorian era. The Locust Hill Train Station (1936) was used by the Canadian Pacific Railway until 1969 and emphasizes the importance of transportation and commerce to the growth of hamlets and villages.
In addition to three modern and interactive gallery spaces and over 30 historic buildings, the Markham Museum hosts seasonal events and festivals, offers programming for all ages and interests, and is available for venue rental of its many spaces and grounds.
References
=Notes=
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.markhammuseum.ca/ Official website]
{{Markham, Ontario}}
{{Structures in Markham}}
{{coord|43|53|38|N|79|15|56|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Markham, Ontario
Category:Open-air museums in Canada
Category:Living museums in Canada
Category:History museums in Ontario
Category:Local museums in Ontario
Category:Museums in the Regional Municipality of York
Category:Tourist attractions in Markham, Ontario