During its heyday, the house was the social centre of Chaffey's - it had the only phone in the village and housed the local post office. Campers and cottagers often visited and stayed for dinner. Stories abound about raids on the garden and boaters lining up to buy the delicious-smelling bread baking in the oven.

Then in 1967 the house was abandoned and remained vacant through the 1970s. At one point, the government had plans to turn the house into an office. Fortunately, the Chaffey's Lock Wommen's Institute, The Chaffey's Lock and Area Heritage Society and other village organizations banded together and plans for a community museum were born.

After extensive renovations, the museum finally opened in 1982, the 150th anniversary of the Rideau Canal. Since then it has sponsored many different exhibits centering around the economic and social life of Chaffey's and in 1992 a permanent exhibit was established on the main floor, depicting the history of the house and Chaffey's Lock.

The film, "The Golden Years" is a central part of the museum. Produced in 1982 as a joint venture of the National Film Board, Parks Canada and the village of Chaffey's Lock, it details the golden years, hardships and joys of life in early Chaffey's. Much of the footage is based on films taken during the 1930s and 40s by Don Jarrett, then owner of the Opinicon Hotel. It's well worth viewing!

2007 Schedule

• Saturday, June 30, 2007 - Museum opens for the season
  
  
• Sunday, July 1, 2007 - Canada Day Picnic at the locks. noon (hot dog & a drink: $2)
  
  
• Saturday, July 7, 2007 - Rideau 175 Summer Talk - Dispelling Myths by Neil Patterson. There are two very large Myths about the Rideau. One that all of the stone house between Kingston and Ottawa were built by the same men that built the Locks and second is that the Railways caused the decline of the Rideau. Facts will be presented showing why these Myths have no basis in reality. Chaffey's Lock Community Hall, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, free admission.
  
  
• Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - Phosphate & Mica Mines Tours - see the Mine Tours Page
  
  
• Saturday, July 21, 2007 - Rideau 175 Summer Talk - The Rideau Route, Exploring the Pre-Canal Waterway by Ken Watson. A look at the secret world that lies below the waters of the Rideau Canal, the drowned landscape of the original Rideau Route. Watson will take the audience back to 1783, prior to any European settlement, investigating what existed prior to the flooding created by mill dams and later the canal dams. Chaffey's Lock Community Hall, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, free admission.
  
  
• Saturday, July 28, 2007 - Rideau 175 Summer Talk - An 1834 Tour of the Rideau Canal by Neil Patterson. A presentation to the audience as though the Date were July 1, 1834 and they were being given a tour on the newly opened Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa. Everything shown and everything said will be in present tense as of 1834. Chaffey's Lock Community Hall, 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome, free admission.
  
  
• Saturday, July 28, 2007 - Annual Craft Market on the Opinicon Hotel lawns. 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• Sunday, July 29, 2007 - Clear Lake Cemetery Rededication and Reconsecration at the Clear Lake Cemetery. 10:00 a.m.
  
  
• Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - Phosphate & Mica Mines Tours - see the Mine Tours Page
  
  
• Saturday, Aug 18, 2007 - Annual General Meeting of the Chaffey's Lock & Area Heritage Society - Chaffey's Lock Community Hall - 7:00 p.m.
  
  
• Friday, August 31, 2007 - Museum closes for the season
  
  
• Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 - Special Thanksgiving week-end opening. 9:00 a.m. 'til 4:00 p.m. Museum serving Hot Apple Cider.