The Merrickville Blockhouse

The Sentinel of the Rideau

Built in 1832 under the direction of Colonel John By, the Merrickville Blockhouse is the largest of the four blockhouses built to defend the Rideau Canal. It remains the second-largest surviving blockhouse in Canada.

Tucked away on the Rideau Canal, this UNESCO World Heritage site was built as a defensive structure designed to protect British North America from American invasion. However, by the time the Blockhouse was completed, the threat of invasion had passed and the the building was converted into a home for the lockmaster and his family. In 1939 the Merrickville Blockhouse was recognized as a National Historic Site.

The Merrickville & District Historical Society was instrumental in preserving this building in the 1960's and operated the Merrickville Blockhouse Museum from 1967 to 2024. Today the Blockhouse Museum is proudly operated by the Village of Merrickville-Wolford, featuring a curated collection of artifacts and archives provided by the Merrickville & District Historical Society. Together, we work to preserve the tangible history of our region for future generations.

New & Highlighted Exhibits for 2026

The Watchorn Mill Exhibit

Step back into Merrickville’s industrial heyday. This updated display features artifacts and stories from the Watchorn Woolen Mill, once a cornerstone of local commerce. After viewing the exhibit, we encourage visitors to walk the short trail to the mill ruins to see where history happened.

Life of a Lockmaster

Explore the domestic side of the Blockhouse. For decades, this fort served as the residence for the local lockmaster. New interpretive panels detail the daily life of Sergeant John Johnston (Lockmaster 1836–1869), who famously drilled the local militia here during the 1837 Rebellions.

Indigenous Roots & River Routes

In collaboration with local heritage partners, we have expanded our storytelling to include the traditional territories of the Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee peoples, highlighting the river’s importance long before the first stone of the canal was laid.

Settlement & Agricultural Roots

Discover the grit and determination of the early families who cleared the land long before the canal was a reality. This brand-new display highlights:

Early Pioneer Life: Tools, kitchenware, and textiles from the first Loyalist settlers.
The Breadbasket of the Rideau: How the district's fertile soil supported a thriving agricultural community that fed the workers building the canal.
Family Legacies: Records and photographs of the "founding families" whose descendants still call the district home today.

Plan Your Visit

2026 Summer Schedule

The museum is open seasonally from June through late August.

Thursday thru Monday (June 25 – Aug 24): 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Private Tours arranged by appointment. Contact info@merrickvillehistory.org

Admission is free

Charitable donations are always welcome and help the Village and the Historical Society maintain the building and preserve the priceless artifacts on display.

Location

We are located on the grounds of the Merrickville Lockstation, just off St. Lawrence Street. Look for the imposing stone structure overlooking the canal!

Accessibility: While the first floor of this heritage structure is accessible, the second floor is accessible only via a winding central staircase that is historically accurate to the period (circa 1832). Please contact the Village office in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.

Washrooms: Additionally, note that there are no washroom facilities available in the Blockhouse Museum. Facilities may be accessed at The Depot - Visitor & Information Centre located adjacent to the Blockhouse.

Get Involved

The preservation of our history is a community effort.

Historical Society Membership: Join the MDHS to support the curation of our collection and receive historical newsletters.

Volunteer: Interested in being a docent? The Village welcomes volunteers to help welcome visitors from around the world.

Artifact Donations: If you have items related to the settlement or industrial history of Merrickville, please contact the MDHS Curator.