Welcome to MDHS
Merrickville and District Historical Society is a volunteer-run organization based in the village of Merrickville-Wolford, a beautiful historic village spanning the Rideau Canal, one hour south of the nation's capital Ottawa, ON. MDHS encourages interest in the history and heritage of Merrickville-Wolford. MDHS also operates the seasonal museum at the Merrickville Blockhouse National Historic Site of Canada.
Tucked away on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Merrickville Blockhouse was built in 1832 as a defensive structure designed to protect British North America from American invasion. By the time of its completion the threat of invasion had passed and the Blockhouse was converted into a home for the lockmaster. In 1939 the Merrickville Blockhouse was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. MDHS was instrumental in preserving this building in the 1960's and has operated the Merrickville Blockhouse Museum since 1967.
The Merrickville Blockhouse Museum is located along the Rideau River - a route used by many indigenous peoples. Today it is part of the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Visit the Merrickville Blockhouse Museum
CLOSED FOR THE 2023 SEASON
We are thrilled to announce an increase of attendance this year with approximately 7 535 visitors to Blockhouse Museum. Thank you to our amazing summer interpreters - Scarlet, Ben, Chloe, and Cameron, and our dedicated volunteers, for your expertise in history.
Reopening in the spring of 2024.
Painting by Jonas Robinson.
Donated to MDHS by Lenore Newman
For tours/more information:
Email: info@merrickvillehistory.org
MERRICKVILLE - SMALL TOWN CANADA - YouTube Video - click on photo
Upcoming News
Online Collection is Now live
Click here to view our new online database
UPCOMING EVENTS
2024 Annual General Meeting Reports Available
SPEAKER SERIES
Organized by Donna Ross, Lecture Series Coordinator
Into the Planet - My Life as a Cave Diver
Presented by Jill Heinerth
Tues. March 26, 2024
7:00pm
Royal Canadian Legion
229 Main St. W., Merrickville, ON
free admission
complementary treats by Violets on Main Bakery
Photo Credit - Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
The Maitland Tower:
An Odyssey of Intrigue from War to Oasis
It was a packed house!
Philip's presentation offered many unique insights and sparked our curiosity. He was able to weave together many historical narratives with compelling stories and images.
The Maitland Tower, is an iconic landmark east of Brockville on the St. Lawrence River - from its time as a French shipbuilding fort in the 1750s, to life as a large flour mill, a notorious bootlegging distillery in the 1800s, its rebirth in the 1900s with horses that were flown to international competitions, and home to a mysterious business that attracted a German spy in the Second World War.
Philip gave us a glimpse into what the future could hold for the Maitland Tower and the 13 acres it sits upon.
Philip Ling, is an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and nature bug. We learned how a 2200 km cycling trip led him to purchase the tower! He has rescued this piece of history from neglect and a potential developer’s bulldozer!
Thank you Philip for your animated and informative presentation. You are a visionary in your determination towards saving a historical landmark!
...and thank you to Donna Ross, Lecture Series Coordinator