in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 1, 20 21 | 20 2O21CanadaCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebratingCelebrating Experiencing history in action at a historic site, be it a military fort, a recreated historic vil- lage or cultural institution, is a great way to learn about the roots of our nation as well as First Nations. While pandemic restrictions have affected programs and events, many sites will be open this summer. In Ontario, properties including museums can open during Stage Three of the reopening schedule in late July. Here's a sample of what's available to explore in Ontario. CRAWFORD LAKE: At Crawford Lake, locat- ed in Milton, Ont., you can visit the recon- structed Iroquoian longhouses and learn the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The Conservation Halton park boasts a lake surrounded by an accessible boardwalk trail. Larger-than-life wooden carvings along the way feature species at risk. The Nassagaweya Canyon trail runs 4.6 kilo- metres from Crawford Lake to Rattlesnake Point, a neighbouring Conservation Halton park. Booked visits are currently offered to access hiking trails. (www. conservationhalton.ca) MCMICHAEL CANADIAN ART COLLECTION: What began as a private collection of Robert and Signe McMichael at their home in Kleinburg, Ontario is now a publicly funded fine art gallery. It focuses on Canadian art and the Indigenous art of our country, both historical and contem- porary. The permanent collection comprises more than 6,500 a r t w o r k s by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their con- temporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists. The trail net- work is currently open with access to 100 acres of forested land in the Humber River Valley. The village of Kleinburg is located about 30 minutes north of Toronto. (www.mcmichael. com) FORT YORK: Located in Toronto's down- town, Fort York played an impor- tant role in eco- nomic and social development in the early years of Toronto as a small backwoods community. On Victoria Day in 1934, Fort York opened as a his- toric site museum. Today, the fort is home to Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings filled with exhibits from the 1800s. Currently closed, check out the web- site for updates. (www.fortyork.ca) FORT GEORGE: A National Historic Site, Fort George reveals the early military his- tory of Niagara through 19th century military architecture includ- ing the blockhouses, officers' quarters, army mechanic's shop and guard house. The fort's powder magazine is the only building to have survived the Battle of Fort George and is the oldest military building in Ontario. The Fort is currently closed to visitors and is offer- ing virtual events and programming. Fort George is located in Niagara-on-the- Lake. (www.friend- soffortgeorge.ca) WESTFIELD HERITAGE VILLAGE: With a vision to cre- ate a pioneer village as a non- profit educational institute, D. Glenn Kilmer and Golden (Goldie) L. MacDonell pur- chased 30 acres of land in Rockton in October 1960. Their vision came to life in 1964 when Westfield opened to the public fea- turing more than 35 histori- cal buildings. The 130-hect- are site bor- dered by woodlands, m e a d o w s and trails is currently open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset for hikes and walks. Buildings are closed at this time. (west- fieldheritage.ca) BLACK CREEK PIONEER VILLAGE: At press time the village was closed to the public but on-site summer day camps were being offered as well as virtual tours. When open for tours, Toronto's Black Creek provides a glimpse into life before cars and technology with a focus on life between the 1790s and 1860s. Check the website for updates on the resumption of pub- lic access when pandemic restrictions are eased. (blackcreek.ca) DUNDURN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: Hamilton's Dundurn Castle is built on the site of a former British military encamp- ment circa1813. The stately mansion was once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, who was a railway magnate, lawyer and Premier of the United Canadas from 1854 until 1856. Today, the museum showcases the family who lived in the house, and the servants who worked there. Dundurn along with the other Hamilton museums was closed at press time. www.hamilton.ca S A I N T E - M A R I E AMONG THE HURONS: Sainte- Marie's history dates back to the 17th century. More than 25 buildings have been recre- ated on their original locations providing visitors with a sense of Indigenous life in the 1600s. Located along the shores of Georgian Bay near Midland, Ontario, this was the ancestral homeland of the Huron Wendat nation, a branch of the Iroquoian family. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons could reopen later this summer. Check the website for details. (www.saintemarieamon- gthehurons.on.ca)Crawford Lake Westfield Heritage Village Black Creek Pioneer Village Fort York Dundurn National Historic Site Sainte-Marie among the Hurons McMichael Canadian Art Collection McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg is temporarily closed but its nature trails are open. Photo cour- tesy of McMichael Canadian Art Collection Fort George Historic sites bring the past to life