Known locally as the Museum on Tower Hill, the West Parry Sound District Museum sits at the base of the famous lookout tower, and the two make a natural pair. This community museum began with a group of dedicated local citizens and today preserves and interprets the history of the entire West Parry Sound District — its settlement, its industries, its transportation and its natural world.
Inside, exhibits trace the themes that carved this region out of rugged Canadian Shield country: the logging industry that built the towns, the ships and shipwrecks of Georgian Bay, the railways, early recreation and the area’s natural history. The museum also explores contemporary topics and showcases local art and culture, so there is always something beyond the history books. Visitors describe it as small but well laid out, with thoughtful interpretation that works for all ages, plus a pleasant gift shop.
Admission is modest — around five dollars for adults and three for children and seniors — and the museum is generally open Wednesday through Sunday, with longer hours in summer. Time your visit to include the 130-step climb up the adjacent fire tower and a wander through the Heritage Garden below it. With picnic tables, free parking and one of the best views in town, it is easy to make a full outing of the hill.