Welcome to the Merrickville & District Historical Society -- your digital gateway to the stories, people, and heritage of Canada's most vibrant canal village.
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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.
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WHAT'S NEW?
Check out our July Newsletter!
Can you help us identify this bell?
Do you have memories of this bell? Perhaps an old photograph, a document, a family story, or a recollection from someone who worked at one of the foundries in town? We would love to hear from you. Any detail - no matter how small - could be the piece that completes this puzzle. Check out our newsletter for more clues.
Contact us at collections@merrickvillehistory.org
Notes from the Field: Life as a Summer Historian
What is it actually like to spend a summer breathing life into Merrickville’s raw history? This season, our MDHS Summer Student Researcher is diving headfirst into our collections—uncovering forgotten stories and tracing the fascinating lives of local ancestors who shaped our village. In our brand-new Student Research Blog, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at the "detective work" of history, from the thrill of deciphering century-old handwriting to the unique rewards of working with our archives. Follow along to read her latest discoveries, see what she's unearthing in the repository, and catch a fresh perspective on our shared past!
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VISIT the MERRICKVILLE BLOCKHOUSE MUSEUM
Summer 2026 Season
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Thursday through Monday
June 25 - August 24
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission by donation​​
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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.