Commanda General Store Museum

05/06/2026

Hey Folks! Don't forget, market applications are due at the end of May! We know there are a few folks that had expressed interest but haven't filled out the application yet ;)
https://forms.gle/muy4Bav7dQ5cN8mq6

So far we have a nice selection of local farms, artisans, baking but could use more to fill up the museum grounds.

Happy Good Friday, everyone! 🌷 We know we’ve been a little quiet so far in 2026, but rest assured, our tireless Board of Directors has been working hard behind the scenes to plan an incredible season for you.

Today, we are absolutely thrilled to announce something brand new... our Inaugural Friday Farmers' Market! 🧺🌻

A few friends and neighbours have suggested bringing a weekly market to Commanda, and we listened. We’re launching it this season as a new gathering space to serve our wonderful locals, seasonal tourists, and visitors exploring the beautiful Smokey Hills.

📅 The Details:

When: Every Friday, starting July 3rd until September 4th
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Commanda Museum grounds

🍅 Calling All Vendors!
Are you a local grower, maker, baker, or artisan? We want YOU to be part of our first-ever market! You can find more information about joining our vendor family in our online application form:
🔗 https://forms.gle/F8T5hbmoHFh75YhA6

🎸 Calling All Local Musicians!
We are also on the hunt for talented musicians to bring great vibes and live entertainment to each market! If you are a local musician and would like to play the market (we offer a $50 stipend per market), please DM us to get booked. 🎶

We can't wait to gather, celebrate local goods, and make this a new summer tradition. Please SHARE this post to help us spread the word! 🤍

04/20/2026

We were so very thrilled to collaborate with neighbours Fun In the Forest / Forest & Farm to host the Grade 1 and 2's from École publique Héritage down here in the smokey hills of Commanda the other week!

This is something we hope to be doing more of in the future. If you have a school group, social club, service club, youth program or corporate team, looking for a fun and unique experience, consider reaching out to Fun In the Forest to coordinate setting up your experience.

04/03/2026

Happy Good Friday, everyone! 🌷 We know we’ve been a little quiet so far in 2026, but rest assured, our tireless Board of Directors has been working hard behind the scenes to plan an incredible season for you.

Today, we are absolutely thrilled to announce something brand new... our Inaugural Friday Farmers' Market! 🧺🌻

A few friends and neighbours have suggested bringing a weekly market to Commanda, and we listened. We’re launching it this season as a new gathering space to serve our wonderful locals, seasonal tourists, and visitors exploring the beautiful Smokey Hills.

📅 The Details:

When: Every Friday, starting July 3rd until September 4th
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Commanda Museum grounds

🍅 Calling All Vendors!
Are you a local grower, maker, baker, or artisan? We want YOU to be part of our first-ever market! You can find more information about joining our vendor family in our online application form:
🔗 https://forms.gle/F8T5hbmoHFh75YhA6

🎸 Calling All Local Musicians!
We are also on the hunt for talented musicians to bring great vibes and live entertainment to each market! If you are a local musician and would like to play the market (we offer a $50 stipend per market), please DM us to get booked. 🎶

We can't wait to gather, celebrate local goods, and make this a new summer tradition. Please SHARE this post to help us spread the word! 🤍

02/01/2026

We're so very grateful to be members of the Loring-Restoule business association and look forward to the plans they've got in the works for 2026!

Congrats to the LRBA board on throwing a fabulous networking event last night (Jan.31) where other members got to mingle, enjoy some chili, snacks and connect with others in the community.

If you're a business local to the Loring, Restoule, Commanda, Nipissing, Trout Creek and Powassan areas, sign up for a membership to receive great benefits as they work to promote our region. Something new this year, a step up from the annual brochure, a full on magazine loaded with local businesses, services etc.!

The Loring Restoule Business Association (LRBA) is a non-profit, membership-based organization, dedicated to promoting member businesses and tourism in the Loring Restoule area. ​The LRBA is committed to networking within the industry; building partnerships; strengthening business development and ...

01/28/2026

Hello 2026!

Our directors are hibernating (some in Cuba!) but slowly emerging to start planning for this season.

What's one favourite memory of Commanda and/or the Commanda Museum? A past event you'd like to see come back or an idea for this year?

Excited to partner and work with other organizations again, like with Great Canadian Wilderness (Explorer's Edge), for this season. Check out a great article by them on Commanda Summerfest 2025 🥳

With support from the Explorers’ Edge Partnership Fund, Commanda Museum’s 2025 Summerfest celebrated local culture, boosted rural tourism, and supported community-led economic growth.

12/15/2025

We've been pretty quiet on social media as of late, most of our directors are taking a well deserved break over the fall/winter months; stay tuned for updates in 2026 but to tide you over, check out a podcast episode from Hauntedcanadapodcast featuring the Commanda Museum!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/65WWTpngmeF0T0GCziWu6Q?si=4X1m_zoMSI-oLxqqAS8rHQ

New Episode of Haunted Canada Podcast
👻 The Haunted Commanda Museum. Commanda, ON

In the late 1800's, the community of Commanda sprang up as a way station along the Old Nipissing Road, one of the last routes built to entice immigrants to Ontario's near north. In 1885 by James and Elizabeth Arthurs, built a store strategically located on the Rosseau-Nipissing Road. During the boom years of settlement in the Southern Canadian Shield, the Commanda General Store served as an important supply centre for the pioneer lumbermen and farmers of the region .
Since then it changed hands many times but through it all there have been claims that there are a few ghosts lingering on the premises. Among them is James Arthurs.
Apple Podcasts Spotify

10/05/2025

Dear friends of the museum!!
Another season is nearing the end, and we would sincerely want to thank everyone who has visited, shared stories, toured, donated, and in any way supported our endeavors here at the museum.
We are open today til 5pm, and our last day will be next Saturday October 11th, 10 to 5pm.
The Thrift store will be open and having a huge indoor and outdoor venue. There are lots of great items and deals to be had.

What a great summer we have had, and we are already making plans for next summer.
The auctions will be starting up again soon....we have had a tech issue with the site, but as soon as we figure that and some logistical issues(pick ups) we will be posting here and having auctions again.
Please keep checking back for updates !!
Happy Thanksgiving
The Museum Board

10/04/2025

🛑WARNING🛑
Unfortunately, it appears that our museum auction page has been hacked. Please do NOT open any link sent in messenger/chat from our auction site. We apologize for this breach, we have disabled the messenger/chat !

09/16/2025

Congratulations to Mark Ames! He is the winner of our summer online 50/50 raffle. Slow ticket sales on this one...so Mark only wins $60 but he also won our second 50/50 so it's really paying off for him supporting the museum!

Stay tuned for our fall online 50/50

Museum....open Saturday and Sunday's until Thanksgiving weekend

09/06/2025

Due to staffing issues, the museum and thrift store won't be open today but for sure tomorrow (Sept.7)! Pop on by for a milkshake, tour and get your thrift on 🥼🧋

09/04/2025

Newsletter for July-August-September is out! Updates from our previous events, President's message, call-out for directors, in memory and more! Thank you for all the support this season!

With the departure of two directors this past year (Gord and Deb), the board for the Gurd & Area Historical Corporation is looking for folks to participate as directors. We are a working board, so more actively involved in the daily operation of the museum. The board meets about once a month, takin...

09/01/2025

It's September 1 and we are open! Pop on by for a Labour Day milkshake, here until 5 p.m. stay tuned for hours in September! Yes, for the first time we are extending hours until Thanksgiving weekend!

Also, our summer 50 50 raffle is still live, draw date is Sept.12

https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/gahc_summer?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMioIljbGNrAyKgfmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe8nfjy_aag14-eMOwphLpJbvy0P7YWP6FI1z1MQqoLtt4kBzRTtTrrMc6wA8_aem_1mENh5SxnrnKZ3IiqNYM_A