Missisquoi Museum

Located just an hour from Montreal in Quebec’s beautiful Eastern Townships and along the famous “Route des vins” (wine route) and the Chemin des Cantons (Townships’ Historic Road), the Missisquoi Museum is a heritage site comprised of three different buildings. The main site known as the Cornell Mill was built as a grist mill by American Zebulon Cornell in 1830. It now houses the main collection of the Missisquoi Museum including United Empire Loyalist artefacts; early 19th century settlement objects; information and objects about the Rebellion of 1837 and the turbulent decades of the 1860s and 1870s that saw the crossing of the Fenians into Missisquoi County on two occasions. As you explore the museum you will be immersed in the fascinating story of the individuals and families, the conflicts and enterprises that shaped the history of Missisquoi County over the past 200 years.

Hodge’s General Store is a quaint red-bricked store built in 1840 by Frederick Pierce. For over 140 years this little store served the community of Stanbridge East into the era of the Great Depression. Just a short walking distance from the Cornell Museum the store houses original inventory including drygoods, clothing, chinaware, sewing accessories and medications for farm animals.

The third site located only 8 kilometres from the Cornell site in the hamlet of Mystic is the Walbridge Barn. Built in 1882 by Alexander Walbridge this 12-sided (dodecagonal) barn is now a provincial heritage site. The towering barn with its walls of red ochre houses the agricultural collection of the Missisquoi Museum. Season and Hours Open
Open daily from 10.00 a. m. to 5.00 p.m. from the last Sunday in May to the second Sunday in October.
Don’t Miss This When Visiting
The community of Stanbridge East founded in the early 19th century by American Loyalists from Vermont and New York offers an historic walking tour of the village beginning at the Missisquoi Museum. The tour gives a sense of Stanbridge East’s history through its homes, churches and cemeteries. Find out more historic regional information at the historic roads site www.chemindescantons.qc.ca

The Missisquoi Museum is located along Quebec’s world famous wine route. Not only can you find many local vineyards and sample local wines and cidres, you can find: art galleries; antique shops; agro-tourism sites that sell farm products such as honey, blueberries, Quebec cheeses and chocolates; and outdoor activities like skiing, camping, and nature, biking and walking trails. Check out further details at www.laroutedesvins.ca

Related Sites Or Experiences
In the 19th century a society of Irishmen from the United States known as the Fenian Brotherhood organized and launched an attempt to capture Canada, hold it for ransom and free Ireland from British control. On May 25 1870 a group of 400 Fenians crossed the border from Vermont into Quebec at Eccles Hill, near Frelighsburg. The battle between the determined Irishmen and the local farmers and militiamen lasted the entire day. Come and visit the new historic information panel on the Parks Canada battle site. Located at Eccles Hill Road, Frelighsburg QC.

Suggested Further Reading
Journal Le Tour www.letoursutton.com A local bilingual news magazine providing information on culture, history, artists, nature and lifestyle in this region of the Eastern Townships.

Loyalties in Conflict: A Canadian Borderland in War and Rebellion 1812-1840 by J.I. Little

The Heart of the Farm: A History of Barns and Fences in the Eastern Townships by Louise Abbott

The Vermont – Quebec Border: Life on the Line by Matthew Farfan

The Walbridge Estate in Mystic by Danielle Pigeon

Fees
yes
ADA Accessible
yes
Tours Are Offered
yes
Site is Child-friendly
yes
Site is Pet-friendly
no