The Neilson Store Museum on Amherst Island is a designated historical landmark that tells the story of the first 1789 settlement. Housed in the original 1883 general store, the museum showcases maritime artifacts from James S. Neilson’s grain merchant legacy and features the Weasel & Easel artisan shop, preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Island.
The Neilson Store has been part of Stella since 1883, and for over a century, it was the only shop islanders needed. Groceries, hardware, household goods, all under one roof, all run by the same family. It became a museum in 2004, but the building still feels like a store. Maritime artifacts from the Island’s sailing days fill the space now, including the ship’s wheel and bell from the MV Amherst Islander. The Weasel & Easel artisan shop runs out of the same room, so you browse handmade island goods between the exhibits. You get here by ferry from Millhaven, and the museum is a short walk from the dock.
What to Expect
The ship’s wheel, bell, and logs from the MV Amherst Islander are among the maritime pieces on display. The rest of the collection covers the 19th-century grain trade and daily life on the island. The building feels like what it was, a general store where people came and went, and the artisan shop keeps that going.
Here’s What’s Different
- Housed in a general store that served the island for over 100 years.
- Specialized exhibits on James S. Neilson, one of the area’s prominent historic grain merchants.
- The building itself is a designated heritage exhibit under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Good to KnowÂ
- Amherst Island is known for its Irish dry stone walls, and the museum is a good place to get background before heading out on a self-guided tour. The ferry ride from Millhaven to Stella is part of the experience.
- LOCAL TIP
- After the museum, bike over to the Sand Beach Wetlands Conservation Area for birdwatching. The two pair well on a half-day visit.
- FAST FACTS
- The first settlers arrived on Amherst Island in 1789.
- It is protected under the Ontario Heritage Act and now holds artifacts from the island’s maritime past, including pieces from the MV Amherst Islander.
Your Route
What We Offer
Common Questions
Board the ferry at Millhaven. The museum is a short walk from the dock in the village of Stella.
Hours are seasonal. Contact the museum at 613-634-9512 for the 2026 schedule.
The museum covers the 1789 settlement and the local traditions that shaped the island’s stone-working culture.
Admission is generally by donation, supporting the care and operations of the museum.Â
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Getting Here
5220 Front Road, Stella
Take the ferry from Millhaven to Amherst Island and travel to the village center.