COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM
COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM
Commanda GENERAL STORE Museum

4077 Hwy. 522  Commanda, ON P0H 1J0

Phone: (249) 968-0397

Email: MUSEUMINCOMMANDA@GMAIL.COM

Follow Us On Social Media

Instagram: @commandastoremuseum

Facebook: Commanda General Store Museum

Regular hours are now closed for the season

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Hello to all our closest friends along the 522 in particular, and all the outlying Avenues in general. We, as a group,  would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to every dear person who dropped in for a visit and a tour, who donated books…and then bought them back!  Thanks to those who provided unique wares to sell in our gift shop, who shared their family stories while drinking a milkshake, who gave so generously to our donation box, dropped off bottles for return...and told their friends what fun they had here 💙.  A special thank you to Sabina Hooper from 705BLACKFLY.COM who shepherded us through a maze of technology, producing unforgettable memories of our senior community, and catapulting us into the 21st century. Thanks also to our spouses and kids who did without our presence at home so that we could shine a spotlight on our precious gem. We are grateful to those who could only honk their horns and wave...many giving thumbs up...it was enough and it was appreciated. Please remember...next Spring...we intend to “Commanda lot of attention!

Yours in Community,

Darlene Erskine

President, Museum in Commanda 

Our gratitude and thanks to Bradly “Dreamwalker” MacDonald for creating the most wonderful murals as a beginning to the new Indigenous Exhibit! We can't wait for you all to see these next season.
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Our 2023 opening day!

Our Strawberry Festival was huge success! Thank you to everyone who came and to all of the volunteers who made it happen!
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Commanda General store museum

in the news!

Our friends at 705BLACKFLY.COM joined us at the Strawberry Festival to capture all the fun. Have a look at their story and be sure to check out our videos page!
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THE COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

The Commanda General Store Museum is a unique example of late 19th century Victorian commercial architecture. The focus of this building, erected in 1885 by James and Elizabeth Arthurs, is Commanda’s central location on the Old Rousseau-Nipissing settlers’ route which continues today as the central location for visitors to the whole region.

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

The Commanda General Store is historically significant for its association with the development of Commanda and the surrounding area. During the boom years of settlement in the Southern Canadian Shield, the store was the hub of the community. It served as an important supply centre for pioneer lumbermen and farmers, and families came from near and far to hear about what was going on with their friends and neighbours.

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

Visitors who step through the doors of the Commanda Museum instantly go back in time. The counters, flooring and goods date back to 1885 -1934.

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COMMANDA's heritage

Commanda is nestled in the Parry Sound District of Ontario. The picturesque region is filled with majestic forests and lakes, and the vibrant community has a rich history that is intertwined with the surrounding area.
COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

Commanda has strong Indigenous ties and is named for an Ojibway chief. In the late 1800's, the community sprang up as a way station along the Old Nipissing Road, one of the last routes built to entice immigrants to Ontario's near north. This road was a colonization route constructed between 1866 and 1873 to promote settlement in the last section of the province deemed suitable for agriculture. The Commanda General Store was an important fixture of the community that also features a flour mill, sawmill, hotel and churches plus a school, as well as a variety of merchants.

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

The Commanda General Store was sold in 1907 by James Arthurs who went on to serve as the area's Member of Parliament and as a Senator from 1908-35. He also briefly commanded the 162th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. The structure continued to function as a general store until 1977. It also served as the community Post Office from 1911 to 1977. 

Reflecting the lessened importance of the Rosseau-Nipissing Road, and the increased importance of Highway 522 and east to west travel, the store was moved a few lots north to its current location in 1933 to take advantage of the highway trade.

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

The Commanda General Store is the only Victorian aged, commercial structure to survive from the pioneer era.

COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM

Around Town

 

These are early photos of Commanda looking south toward the direction of the future Highway 522, from the top of Carr's Hill on Old Nipissing/ Rosseau Colonization Road. The village of Commanda was situated on both sides of Commanda Creek where it crosses the Old Nipissing Road. The photos show the original General Store location before it was relocated to its present site. The original settlement road to Trout Creek ran along an old Indian Trail north of present Highway 522 which became the old Barrett Settlement road.

There were many establishments in Commanda, including a hotel, coffin factory, garage, church and a school house. The General Store was later sectioned into four parts and pulled across the terrain on rollers, by horses, to its present location in 1933, and re-built.  Across from the present General Store location, was the Commanda/Evers Hotel.

The Lutheran Church, built in 1883 as a Presbyterian Church, was shared between the Presbyterians and Lutherans until1926 when the Lutherans purchased the church and moved it to the lot behind the Commanda Store. The Lutheran Church operated until 2016, at which time it was decommissioned and give to the Commanda General Store Museum.

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COMMANDA MUSEUM FUN FACTS!

THE COMMANDA GENERAL STORE HAS SHELVES FULL OF FASCINATING ARTIFACTS. HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING TIDBITS FROM OUR ITEMS!
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museum artifacts

The Commanda General Store Musuem has several rooms full of artifacts to take you back in time. From farming equipment to clothing and kitchen goods, you can see firsthand what life would have been like in the 1800's.

MORE FUN FACTS!

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OUR VOLUNTEERS

The most cherished part of Commanda's heritage is its commitment to the people who make up the fabric of the community. The Commanda General Store Museum is run by volunteers who are passionate about preserving the past. We also offer student placements and opportunities for vendors to sell their products.
We always welcome volunteers so get in touch with us for more information.
The more the merrier!


TO DONATE TO THE COMMANDA GENERAL STORE MUSEUM:

INTERAC E-TRANSFER:  COMMANDAMUSEUM@GMAIL.COM


The Commanda General Store Museum acknowledges that our region is founded on the traditional lands and waterways of the Anishinabek, Algonquin, Mohawk and Métis peoples, and is part of the Robinson Huron (1850) and Williams (1923) Treaties territory, and the unceded territory of the Algonquins of Ontario.

We further acknowledge that as Canadians, we are all treaty people. The volunteers of the Commanda General Store Museum are committed to the ongoing truth and reconciliation process, including economic reconciliation through tourism development. Through our work, we will honour and celebrate First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.


CONTACT US


4077 Hwy 522 Commanda, ON P0H 1J0

 (249) 968-0397

MUSEUMINCOMMANDA@GMAIL.COM

Thursday to Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM