Featured Pieces:










The Barrie Historical Archive (BHA) is Barrie’s only free online museum. Cultivated by local historians, we’re committed to capturing and archiving Barrie’s rich history and telling YOUR story.
Learn more about the Barrie Historical Archive »
President’s report: Year in review
Due to the complications of hosting an effective annual general meeting in light of COVID-19, this year, the Barrie Historical Archive opted for a resolution instead of extending an invitation to join us at an AGM. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on another outstanding year for [...]
Innisfil’s Electric Railway
In the early 1900s much of Innisfil's waterfront was under development creating many new cottages and homes for the Toronto and Barrie purchasers. A movement was afoot to build a railway to service the needs of these new properties along the shoreline. In 1910 a group of Toronto lawyers, accountants [...]
The Mechanics Institute was Barrie’s first library system
A nomadic beginning eventually led to a majestic building. Barrie’s first library began as a group. It started out in 1844 as a Mechanics’ Institute, a subscription and fee-based organization created for workingmen and mechanics for improvement and development. Although the institute received donations of books from influential people in [...]