Doors Open Simcoe County at Fort Willow

Reimagine history at Fort Willow

History is more than dates and facts. It’s also about the people, places, and experiences that came before us.

On September 19, retired history teacher Joe Cinnani will use artifacts, photos, tours and vivid storytelling and invite you to imagine what life was like for the people who travelled through Fort Willow Conservation Area throughout history.

Discover centuries of history at Fort Willow Conservation Area during Doors Open Simcoe County on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Fort Willow Conservation Area, 2714 Grenfel Road, Utopia

Admission: Free, with parking fees waived

Registration: No registration required

Discover the stories of the past

Every artifact has a story to tell. Explore archaeological discoveries from Fort Willow and learn how everyday objects help reveal the lives of the people who once passed through this historic site.

Local historian Joe Cinanni will share the stories of Fort Willow and lead guided tours throughout the day. Visitors can also watch local craftsman Murray Van Rassel create a voyageur paddle on site and learn about the skill involved in creating an important tool of historic travel and trade.

Watch local craftsman Murray Van Rassel create a voyageur paddle and learn about the skill involved in creating an important tool of historic travel and trade. These paddles powered the canoes that carried voyageurs and fur traders through forests, rivers, and wetlands, helping shape the region’s history.

Enhance your visit with an immersive audio tour of the buildings that were once at Fort Willow Conservation Area.

The artwork and timber outlines are based on archaeological studies that identified several historical features at the conservation area. Some features include a brick kiln, a commandant’s house, an officer’s kitchen, a stable and yard, a blacksmith’s shop, a cookhouse, and barracks.

About Fort Willow Conservation Area

Fort Willow is situated along the historic Nine Mile Portage, a transportation route connecting Kempenfelt Bay with Willow Creek, the Nottawasaga River and Georgian Bay. Indigenous peoples travelled and traded along the route for centuries before it was later used by French explorers, fur traders and soldiers. During the War of 1812, Fort Willow served as an important military supply depot supporting British forces in the Upper Great Lakes.

Fort Willow also connects with the Ganaraska Trail, North Simcoe Rail Trail, Trans Canada Trail and Nine Mile Portage Heritage Trail, making it a great starting point for an autumn adventure.

Who to Contact