Welcome to the Merrickville & District Historical Society -- your digital gateway to the stories, people, and heritage of Canada's most vibrant canal village.
Nestled along the historic Rideau waterway, our region boasts a rich tapestry of early industrial triumph, architectural preservation, and deep-rooted family legacies. While our physical collections continually evolve, our mission remains steadfast --
to safeguard our community's memories and make them accessible to everyone.
Whether you are a local resident tracing the history of your home, a genealogist uncovering early settler lineages, or a heritage enthusiast exploring the past, we invite you to dive into our archives, join our community, and help us keep Merrickville's history alive.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT MDHS
Looking Ahead – Trade Fair (Sept 20): Mark your calendars! We’ll be at the Merrickville Trade Fair on September 20th. Come say hello, learn about our current projects, and discover how you can get involved.
Looking Back – Merrickville Fair: We had a wonderful time at the Merrickville Fair on August 8th! A big thank you to everyone who dropped by to talk history, test their local knowledge, view our travelling agricultural exhibit, or pick up society materials.
Join Our Email List: Love local history? Get the latest society news, project updates, and historical deep-dives by signing up for the MDHS newsletter today.
Student Researcher Spotlight: From deciphering century-old handwriting to cataloguing rare local archives, our summer student has been doing incredible work behind the scenes. Dive into their latest project highlights! 👉 Read the Latest Student Blog Post
The Mystery Bell: Every artifact has a story—some just take a little extra detective work to uncover! We’ve launched a special research project to trace the history of the "Mystery Bell." Have a lead or a local legend to share? Contact us at info@merrickvillehistory.org
Celebrating 60 Years of MDHS! 2026 marks a major milestone—60 years of safeguarding our region's stories, artifacts, and archives. We hosted a special Anniversary Gala to toast six decades of community heritage. and to introduce the newly refreshed MDHS Collection exhibits at the Merrickville Blockhouse. See the highlights here!
VISIT the MERRICKVILLE BLOCKHOUSE MUSEUM
Summer 2026 Season
Thursday through Monday
June 25 - August 24
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission by donation
Enquiries for private tours outside regular hours (various days & times):
Email: info@merrickvillehistory.org
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
MDHS would like to acknowledge that the land associated with out area of interest (surrounding Merrickville-Wolford) is situated on the traditional, unceded, and unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe ( A-nish-in aw-bay) Algonquin Peoples whose presence and stewardship of these lands dates back to time immemorial and will continue in perpetuity. Our acknowledgement recognizes the hardships and oppression faced by the Algonquins due to the colonization of their lands, and while the past can not be erased, we can learn from it and ensure that road is never travelled again. We must pursue the right path to reconciliation as we live in their Territory and strive to live hand in hand with all the Nations that call this territory home.