Heritage and History

Kenora has many historic attractions to explore in and around the City of Kenora, learning about our rich Indigenous culture and early settlers on foot or by boat. In addition to visiting the Lake of the Woods Museum, you can find out about Kenora's history at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery, Kenora Public Library, or browse through the heritage registry of structures and landscapes.

Heritage townscape murals

For a different self-guided tour of our town why not take in 18 heritage townscape murals throughout the city. These murals help to bridge the past, present and future of our City. You can pick up a map at the Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre.

Indigenous pictographs

Indigenous pictographs are the oldest art forms found in the Lake of the Woods region. Because canvas and paints were not available at the time, early indigenous artists used berry juice and sap mixtures to paint images on rock formations. Some of these historical attractions are still visible today and provide some insight into early indigenous cultures in the territory that is now Canada.

Mather Walls House

Mather Walls House is a Queen Anne style Victorian house which has been featured in an episode of Creepy Canada due to the resident ghost which inhabits the home. Today the house is preserved by the Ontario Heritage Foundation and operated by the Lake of the Woods Historical Society. Visit the Mather Walls house during July or August and you can enjoy a cup of tea, have lunch or take a guided tour. Throughout the year they host specialty teas and every October local high school students transform it into a haunted house so visitors can attend the “Halloween Haunt” and you may even see real ghosts in the house!