Merrickville and District Historical Society

Merrickville & District Historical Society
Presents

Rideau Canal Lock 23

Lockmaster
John Johnston

Former sergeant in the Royal Sappers and Miners and Lockmaster at Merrickville from 1830 to 1869

By MDHS Past President
John Cowan

An ex Colour Sergeant with the Royal Sappers and Miners, John Johnston served as Merrickville Lockmaster from 1836 to 1869; virtually the whole period of the village's most dynamic growth. In a presentation containing many historic images, past Historical Society President, John Cowan tells the story of Lockmaster Johnston in the context Merrickville’s evolution from William Mirick’s pioneer settlement to the commercially successful Rideau Village which has left its legacy in stone.

Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys School, Read Street, Merrickville

7:30 pm Tuesday March 30, 2010

Refreshments, All are Welcome to Attend

April will be our Spring Dinner, and our speaker will be Brian Porter who will be telling us some interesting tales on Major James Walsh of the Northwest Mounted. Our dinner will be on Tuesday April 27th, venue to be advised.

Read our latest newsletter
Volume 7, Number 1 - Spring 2009

McGuigans Cemetery: We've added a new section to the website all about McGuigan Cemetery.

During 2007, the Merrickville & District Historical Society presented a memorable series of lectures celebrating the Rideau Canal and its 175 years of history. Subjects were chosen and presented by recognized authorities who provided an entertaining and informative perspective on the Canal, its origins, its uses, its successes and failures and its people.

The series was wonderfully received - with over 200 "season tickets" sold and, on average, some 240 keen Rideau history buffs in attendance for each lecture.

View a Summary of the Series and the Thank-Yous.

Summaries of the completed Rideau 175 Lectures have been posted to the
2007 Lecture Series Page.

PRIME MINISTER HARPER OPENS BLOCKHOUSE MUSEUM

Photo by: Michael Whittiker

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and son Ben
with John & Sheena Cowan

Brilliant sunshine on the banks of the Rideau Canal, the Merrickville & District Historical Society Blockhouse Museum sporting a new set of illustrative displays provided by Parks Canada, a Scottish Piper, a military re-enactors musket barrage salute, short speeches, even a group of hookers, rug hookers that is. And to add special honour to the occasion, a ceremonial cutting of the opening ribbon by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY

We've added three (3) new photo galleries, all about the historic homes of Merrickville and area. See the History Page.