The village was established in 1961 as a salvage operation to preserve buildings from the 'Lost Villages' submerged by the 1958 St. Lawrence Seaway project.
The operating mills utilize the original machinery and water-power systems recovered from the flooded settlements.
The village operates a seasonal 'Alight at Night' event that features over one million lights during the winter months.
All agricultural activities use 1860s-era tools, including horse-drawn plows and hand-harvesting techniques.
The blacksmith, tinsmith, and cabinetmaker workshops are fully functional, providing custom goods for village use.
The site features a rare, operating wooden-geared windmill, one of the few of its kind in North America.
The village's newspaper, the 'Canada Gazette,' is printed using an 1860s-style iron hand press.
Staff are trained in 1860s etiquette and dialect to provide an immersive historical experience.
The village schoolhouse operates under 1860s curriculum standards when demonstrating lessons to visitors.
Upper Canada Village is a living history museum located in Morrisburg, Ontario, that recreates life in rural English Canada during the 1860s. The site features over 40 historic buildings, including mills, farms, schools, and churches, relocated from areas flooded during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Interpreters in period-appropriate attire perform daily tasks such as blacksmithing, baking, and farming using original 19th-century methods. Visitors can observe functional water-powered sawmills and grist mills operating as they did in the mid-19th century. The village maintains a working farm with heritage breeds of livestock, including cows, sheep, and horses. Transportation within the village is provided by horse-drawn wagons. The site is part of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and serves as an educational center for regional history. All structures are authentic period buildings moved to the site rather than modern reproductions.
The wooden-geared windmill provides the most iconic architectural shot of the village landscape.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the village features gravel paths and uneven terrain.
Check the daily program schedule upon arrival to catch specific demonstrations like sheep shearing or bread baking.
Bring a reusable water bottle as potable water is available, but shops are spaced far apart.
Trying to see every building in a single hour; the village covers a large area and requires significant walking time.
Open seasonally from spring through early autumn; hosts a special light festival in winter. Typically closed Mondays during shoulder seasons.
Avoid touching historical artifacts on display inside the buildings and follow the staff's instructions regarding period-appropriate decorum.
