The District Municipality of Muskoka worked closely with Norway, Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion to design and construct a memorial at the Muskoka Airport. The purpose of the project was twofold; to recognize the historical significance of the Royal Norwegian Air Force training program in Muskoka during the Second World War; and to establish a new cultural heritage attraction at the airport.
The Little Norway Memorial commemorates the lives and sacrifices of those that trained at “Little Norway” ensuring that their legacy will not be forgotten and to provide understanding and appreciation of the long-standing and continuing connections between Norway and Canada.
As a dedication, King Harald of Norway signed an inscribed piece of Norwegian Granite stone during his visit in May of 2002, which has been placed in the floor of the Memorial.
On behalf of Muskoka, Gord Adams the District Chair was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg, other Norwegian officials and approximately 60 Norwegian veterans and the Honourable Tony Clement MP to the opening ceremony on September 25, 2007.
This attraction is open for viewing:
May 15 to August 31
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
September 1 to May 14
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
A plaque recognizing this historic event has been erected outside the Air Terminal Building at Muskoka Airport, it reads:
“NORWEGIAN TRAINING IN CANADA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Located near here, Little Norway, one of the Norwegian armed forces training centres in Canada during the Second World War, was officially opened by Crown Prince Olav in May 1942. It embodies for Canadians the importance of the alliance of nations fighting for freedom. Between 1940 and 1945 more than 3,000 Norwegian airmen, sailors and soldiers and up to 3,000 merchant seamen and civilians trained in Canada for the struggle to liberate their occupied homeland. The strong bond between the two countries, forged in the experience of those years, has become a symbol of Canada’s continuing friendship with its wartime allies.
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
Government of Canada”
The Little Norway Memorial attraction belongs to the Government of Norway and is managed through the Norwegian Embassy
The Town of Bracebridge in Ontario, Canada, has established a friendship agreement with Gol Kommune in Norway. For more information, please see the TOWN OF BRACEBRIDGE AND GOL KOMMUNE, NORWAY FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE - Agenda and Minutes
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