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Welcome to MDHS!

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.

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Upcoming Events

Visit the Merrickville Blockhouse Museum

Painting of Blockhouse Museum by Merrickville folk artist Jonas Robinson
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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
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