The Canton Historical Museum serves the public by displaying and illustrating the way of life in the earlier years of Canton. This non-profit and volunteer-run organization houses a collection that features artifacts and information encompassing different events and periods of time, including the contributions of Native Americans to Canton's growth as a farming community, to the town?s rich history at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, and as a booming and flourishing town during the Victorian era.

Among the artifacts that help depict the lifestyle in the town?s past are clothing, furniture, household, kitchen and decorative items. Visitors to the Museum will also be able to see a Victorian parlor as well as a display of children's toys and games, and numerous examples of recreated items based on the days before industrialization.* The Museum also highlights on different trades such as carpentry, farming, shoemaking, printing, blacksmithing, ice harvesting, farming, and toolmaking.

The Museum has an extensive collection consisting of 19th Century memorabilia. These pieces are housed in the three floors of an original Collins Axe Company building.