Markham Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1971 |
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| Location | Markham, Ontario, Canada |
The Markham Museum is a fun and educational open-air museum in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It covers about 25 acres (10 hectares) of land. The museum first opened its doors in 1971. It was started by the Markham District Historical Society. They got help from the Markham-Unionville Lions Club and the Town of Markham. The museum began with the old Mount Joy School and 2 acres around it.
Over time, many old buildings from the area were moved to the museum. This made the museum bigger. The Town of Markham also bought 23 more acres of farmland for the museum. In 2011, a new building opened for storing collections and holding exhibits. This building was officially named the John Lunau Centre in 2019.
Markham Museum offers a special outdoor experience. You can explore over 30 historic buildings. There are also interactive exhibits and fun programs for everyone. The museum hosts exciting events like AppleFest and Scaryfest. It works with the community to celebrate local history and creativity. The museum has won awards for its events and exhibits.
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Exploring Markham's History
The Markham Museum has more than 30 historic buildings. It also has three modern gallery spaces. These areas show the history of the community. They combine old stories with new ideas. When you take a tour, you can see how people lived in different times. You can visit homes, workshops, and old stores.
Historic Homes and Family Stories
Some buildings tell the stories of local families. The Christian K. Hoover House was built around 1824. The James Maxwell Log Cabin is from about 1850. These homes show how families lived long ago. The Nathan Chapman Jr. House (around 1832) and the Burkholder House (around 1860) have exhibits. They also have spaces where artists work.
Working Studios and Old Technologies
You can see skilled artisans at work in some buildings. The Cedar Grove Blacksmith Shop (around 1862) is one example. The Print Shop and the Burkholder House are also working studios. Artisans give live demonstrations during special events. These include AppleFest and ScaryFest. The Sawmill and the Cider Mill show older ways of doing things. During AppleFest, the Cider Mill makes fresh apple cider. It uses apples grown nearby.
Community Spaces and Transportation
The Ninth Line Baptist Church was built in 1848. It is now used for public programs and tours. You can also rent it for events. The Wilson Variety Hall (around 1875) was once a family store. It was in the center of Markham Village. This building shows what retail was like in the Victorian era. The Locust Hill Train Station is from 1936. It was used by the Canadian Pacific Railway until 1969. This station shows how important trains were for towns to grow.
Events and Programs for All Ages
Besides the historic buildings and galleries, the Markham Museum has many events. They offer programs for all ages and interests. You can also rent many of the museum's spaces and grounds for your own events.
Images for kids
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Markham Museum logo
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Markham Museum in June 2017
