Officially opened on Thanksgiving Day 1975 by Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Lorenzo Big Canoe, the Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives is a veritable heritage showcase. Located near the south shore of beautiful Lake Simcoe, this 10-acre site is home to numerous buildings that interpret the history of Georgina between 1850 and 1920, including a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, a train station, a blacksmith shop, an apothecary and a backwoods log house. Pioneer Village also houses an extensive archival collection comprised of records created by the Councils of the former townships of Georgina and North Gwillimbury, as well as the Village of Sutton. In addition, the Archives contain a number of personal family documents, including land records, photographs, scrapbooks, bibles and related ephemera. Heritage camps, tours, workshops and school visits are just some of the activities that take place throughout the season. The village also hosts a number of popular special events.