The Oakville Museum occupies Erchless Estate, a handsome 19th-century house on the lakefront near the harbour mouth. It traces the history of the town from its founding as a planned commercial port in the 1820s through to the 20th century, with particular strength on the Chisholm family, the town's founders, and on local industries including shipbuilding and distilling.
The grounds extend down to the lake and make a pleasant stroll even without going inside. The Custom House next door — a small federal building from 1856 — is one of the oldest surviving government buildings in the region and also part of the museum complex. Admission is modest and the exhibits are well presented.