Our Story

The Heart Behind the Heritage

The Lake of Bays Marine Museum and Navigation Society is a volunteer-driven, registered Canadian non-profit organization with a single, passionate mission: to preserve and celebrate the maritime heritage of Lake of Bays.

How It Began

Lake of Bays has been a thoroughfare for travellers, settlers, and summer visitors for well over a century. In the golden age of Muskoka tourism, steamships were the heartbeat of the region — carrying guests to grand resorts, delivering mail and supplies to remote shores, and connecting communities across the water. As the age of the automobile arrived, those vessels faded from the lake, and with them, an irreplaceable chapter of our shared history.

A group of dedicated local residents, historians, and lake lovers came together to ensure that chapter would not be lost. They founded the Lake of Bays Marine Museum and Navigation Society to rescue, restore, and operate the SS Bigwin — and to build a museum that would keep the stories of Lake of Bays navigation alive for generations to come.

Our Mission

We exist to:

• Preserve the maritime artifacts, photographs, and oral histories of Lake of Bays
• Operate the SS Bigwin as a living heritage vessel, connecting visitors to the lake’s storied past
• Educate the public about the history of inland navigation and its role in shaping Muskoka
• Engage the community through events, programs, and partnerships that celebrate our waterways

Powered by Volunteers

Everything we do is made possible by an extraordinary team of volunteers. From captains and deckhands to museum docents, event organizers, and board members, our people give their time, skills, and passion freely because they believe this heritage matters. We are always looking for new volunteers to join us.

Join Our Story

Whether you take a cruise, visit the museum, attend the gala, make a donation, or volunteer your time, you become part of the SS Bigwin’s continuing story. We are grateful for every guest, every supporter, and every friend who helps us keep this treasure on the water.

To learn more, call 1-844-424-4946.