Travel back to Canada in the 1800s: Upper Canada Village begins 64th season Saturday

Upper Canada Village is now open for the 2025 season for those interested in taking a step back in time. CTV’s Jack Richardson reports.

One of the most iconic attractions in eastern Ontario is now open for the season.

Upper Canada Village, just east of Morrisburg, has been a staple in the region since 1961, offering participants a glimpse of the lifestyle in Canada during the 1860s.

Walking the grounds of Upper Canada Village feels like stepping into a time machine, with horse-drawn carriage rides, a fully functioning saw mill, agriculture fields and employees wearing era-appropriate attire.

“Upper Canada Village is one of the largest and most comprehensive outdoor museums in Canada,” said interpretation coordinator Julian Whittam. “This is the closest you can get to living life in the 1860s here in Canada.”

There are over 50 acres of land that are accessible to the public, and while Saturday’s forecast led to a modest opening day crowd, Lorne and Lynda Middleton weren’t going to let a bit of rain stop them.

“We’re from Victoria, and we’re heading across Canada,” said Lorne Middleton.

One of the key landmarks they wanted to visit on their way to Newfoundland and Labrador was Upper Canada Village, eager to find a unique experience to soak in Canadian history while they travel across the country.

The Middleton’s even re-scheduled their journey so they could be in eastern Ontario when the village was open.

“It’s a beautiful place, and it’s just so much history here. It’s great to see such a neat working village as it was 200 years ago,” said Lynda Middleton.

The village includes agriculture farmers who do their best to be authentic to the 1860s, like Cory Couturier.

“What we’re growing, how we’re growing it, how we’re protecting it, the fertilizers that we use, how we actually maintain and protect the plants. Everything is authentic to the time,” he said.

Couturier’s favourite part about the season starting is sharing his historical knowledge with visitors.

“You have all these great little things that you can share with people and the ideas of how you do these things,” he said.