Macdonell-Williamson House


The Macdonell-Williamson House, known as "Poplar Villa" or "Scotus" was built by John Macdonell on his retirement circa 1817. It is located in Ontario on the Ottawa River adjacent to the village of Pointe-Fortune, at the border between Ontario and Quebec (Upper Canada and Lower Canada).

Macdonell was a fur trader and partner in the Northwest Company. He married Magdeleine Poitras, a Métis from Qu'Appelle, (Saskatchewan). They had twelve children. Upon Macdonell's death in 1850, the house was passed on to their youngest son, John Beverly Palafox Macdonell. The house was purchased by William Williamson in 1882 and remained within the family until the early sixties. Structural changes were made during the Williamson era.

The house was acquired in 1978 by the Ontario Heritage Foundation in order to save it from demolition. Extensive architectural and archaological investigations were carried out.

Today, the Friends of the Macdonell-Williamson House are working to have the house become a cultural, historical and tourist centre, serving nearby counties and beyond.

LOCATION: 25 Des Outaouais Rd, East Hawkesbury ON (MAP)

Saturday, September 16th, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.



DIRECTION:

From Montreal:
From Ottawa: