The Old Mill Heritage Centre and Post Office Museum is now open for FALL Hours.
September 03, 2025 to October 12, 2025, Wednesday - Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Museum is closed in the winter.
The Old Mill Heritage Centre, located in downtown Kagawong on Manitoulin Island, used to be a pulp mill providing paper for Sears Roebuck catalogues in Wisconsin. Now it houses an Art Gallery, the municipal office and the Old Mill Heritage Centre Museum. The Old Mill Heritage Centre has a Multi-Media centre with different themes from Agriculture, Military, early sawmills, commercial shipping and fishing, life in Billings Township and of course the story of the Daniel Dodge Tragedy. A gift shop features "Island of Great Spirit", a video History of Manitoulin Island. This site is also home to the former Spring Bay pioneer Post Office donated to the Kagawong Historical Society in 1992 by Harold and Reverend Mary Jo Tracy. It was relocated to Kagawong by the Kagawong Historical Society in October 1993. Once used as a homestead, it was moved to the Old Mill Heritage Site in 2008.
Breaking News! The 100th Anniversary Old Mill book has arrived and is on sale at the Old Mill Heritage Centre and at the Kagawong Market.
Old Mill Heritage Centre Photo Gallery
Exhibits
Lighthouses of Manitoulin
Manitoulin Island has its fair share of lighthouses including one within walking distance of the Old Mill Heritage Centre. Inside the museum you will see a photographic exhibit of all of the Manitoulin Lighthouses including an actual lens that would have been used in the Kagawong Lighthouse years ago.
Daniel Dodge
Daniel Dodge was heir to the Dodge Motor Company fortune. In 1938 he was killed as a result of a dynamite explosion while on his honeymoon at his hunting lodge just outside of Kagawong. That is just part of this legendary story. His wife of 13 days, Laurine MacDonald of Gore Bay, was injured in the explosion but survived to inherit a portion of her husband’s inheritance and to live a long life. However, suspicion of foul play in Daniel’s death followed Laurine to her grave. Arguably the tragedy of his death attracts many to Kagawong in the hopes of learning more of the life of this young man who only lived to be 21. A motion picture detailing the event is in production. The Old Mill Heritage Centre has a compressive exhibit detailing the facts and fiction surrounding this story.
Shipping
In the early and mid 20th Century Kagawong was one of several communities along what was known as the “Turkey Trail”. Commercial shipping passed along the North Channel of Lake Huron, with Kagawong being one of the ports of call. The Old Mill Heritage Centre features a number of photos and artifacts profiling the steamers that visited the village.
Berry Boats
The Berry family business dates back five generations. You will see the history of the Berry Boat building inside the museum.
Commercial Fishing
Photographs and artifacts profiling life as a commercial fisherman is on display.
Sawmills and Pulp Mill
The village of Kagawong was created as a result of the logging business. Logging required sawmills and a pulp mill. The history of the development of this industry is told at the museum.
Military
The men and women of Kagawong have a proud history of service in Canada's armed forces. Our military exhibit seeks to commemorate the sacrifices and triumphs of these individuals. The exhibit features artifacts from the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, and More.
Bird Exhibit
Our “Fair-Weather Friend’s Bird Exhibit” has a nest full of beauties. View them this season at the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong!
Contact Us
| 15 Old Mill Road Kagawong, ON P0P 1J0 (705) 282-1442 |
Rick Nelson Museum Curator Email: oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca |
Museum Committee Members
Michael Hunt (Chair), Dianne Fraser, Barb Edwards, Brad MacKay,
Deborah Flaxman, Wes Newburn, Diane Larocque
Don't forget to follow the Old Mill Heritage Centre Facebook Page here!
Admission to the Old Mill Heritage Centre and Post Office Museum is FREE but donations are welcome!
If you would like to make a donation, mail a cheque to:
"THE TOWNSHIP OF BILLINGS KAGAWONG, ON P0P 1J0”
Donations will receive a receipt for tax purposes
Contact Us
Township of Billings
15 Old Mill Road
P.O. Box 1092
Kagawong, ON P0P 1J0
Telephone: (705) 282-2611
Fax: (705) 282-3199
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