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For many years before its name became synonymous with the Canadian nuclear industry, Chalk River, Ontario was a vibrant centre of activity in the Upper Ottawa Valley. Most early pioneers lived within a three-mile radius of the village as it exists today, but some settled as far away as the Deep River and Wylie districts. The School House Museum explores mysteries and misconceptions about the town, such as its origins and how it got its name. Many believe, for example, that Chalk River owes its existence to the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.). While the railroad did contribute to the area’s development, farmers and lumbermen who relied on the Ottawa River for transportation had settled in the region long before the railroad was built. Using digital technology, the School House Museum opens a window on all these aspects of Chalk River’s history.
