The museum's mandate states it is, "focused on the preservation of historical artifacts that pay tribute to the heritage of Northern Ontario and the history of the lumber, mining and railroading industries."

During July and August, the museum initially operated out of the CN Caboose #77562 in Prescott Park with a small display of railroad memorabilia.

During the summer of 2010, NORMHC received funds from outgoing councilor Russ Thompson for the construction of a Garden of Life to promote organ and tissue donation.

The museum currently has the following on display: Locomotives: Rolling Stock: The Former Capreol fire hall, located one block east of the main site, is used to house and display the in-process restoration project of the town's first police vehicle purchase, a 1956 Dodge Fargo (used as the police force's paddy wagon and a 1929 Godferson Bickle fire engine.

Deemed the largest in Northern Ontario,[4] the layout took 2 years to complete (construction began in December 2015) and has been hand-built, painted and decorated by NORMHC volunteers as well as the Sudbury Model Railroaders Club.