elman w campbell museum

The Elman Campbell museum is fun, and free, and they have programs for children year round. Located in the York County North Registry Building at the top of the hill on main street across from the white steeple Baptist Church. The building itself is an artifact constructed using an unusual barrel vault design, thick stone walls and metal doors for security and fire protection of the documents now stored in Aurora. The bulk of the collection cannot be displayed but there are many items depicting various periods in town history. Most interesting to me is the wonderful model of Newmarket, all hand built, with a working radial railway that ran from Toronto up Yonge Street, through Newmarket and eventually up to Jackson's point. Information about the local history as a New-Market for traders to meet native bring furs from Huronia via the Holland River. Newmarket was an important centre for the 1837 Rebellion. William Lyon McKenzie riled up the crowd that later marched down Yonge Street and were confronted by the army and defeated. The rebels were kept in the "Olde Kirk"as Presbyterian church until the trial in York. Two of the rebels were hanged. Responsible government in Canada was set in motion by the rebellion, and eventually confederation.The museum has lots of displays explaining the rebellion. They have special exhibits that are changed regularly. Most recently, Scouts Canada memorabilia, Celebration of the Sixties a lot of Beatles and Rock stuff) Various Christmas trees decorated in period styles. Halloween with a ghostly figure seated at an old organ with lots of interesting things from the archive brought out such as old steam whistles and such. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The Newmarket Historical Society has an office in the museum as well as the Newmarket Heritage Committee. Combine your visit with a stroll around the Heritage District . Walking tour maps available free at the museum (See the newly restored Old Town Hall and Liberty House on Botsford Street where the rebels would meet and rant.

Want to know anything about Newmarket?The Elman W. Campbell Museum is the place. Did you know that Elman W. Campbell had a store on Main Street that sold find china and knick knacks......I worked there as a young girl, amazing place with a scary basement. Newmarket has more history that you can imagine. Check out the Newmarket Historical Society website (newmarkethistoricalsociety.ca) for more details.

The volunteers were very informative. Free admission. A lot of activities for children; engaging hands on stuff. Not somewhere to spend a day, but you could certainly entertain yourself (and learn something) for an hour.

Great little museum but you'd think a town the size of Newmarket would have a bigger and better place to show off it's past. However the staff took us round and told us stuff we never new about even though we've here for 7 years. The town's got quite a history. A good find, we'll go back!

Obviously if you are into local history this is a good place to go. It's pretty small, but has some neat stuff like a miniature model of old Newmarket. It has some interesting antiques (well, my kids hadn't seen some of this stuff before) like the old school desk. If you bring little kids it would be like a 5 minute visit. I am guessing they have a small budget and run mostly by volunteers and it's free entry so don't be too critical...ahem, christina m.

I found this to be very boring. We have been at different times of the year but I do not think I will return as it is just soooo boring!

If you want to know stuff about Newmarket and the history with it, this museum is the place to be. If you want to learn more about the History of Newmarket join the Historical Society of Newmarket. The meet every 3rd Thursday of the month (except July & Aug) and always have interesting guest speakers.

If you're interested in local history you will probably enjoy stopping in at this museum. Important events from the arrival of the first Quaker settlers, to the development of the railways, and modern industry are highlighted. I was lucky enough to get a guided tour from one of the volunteers & would recommend doing so to get the most out of your visit.