JASON SETNYK
The Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee was among the exhibitors at the Heritage Fair, an event that brought together organizations dedicated to sharing and preserving the region’s history. While the fair offered visitors a chance to explore local heritage, the Manor House representatives focused on raising awareness of one of Eastern Ontario’s most significant Loyalist landmarks.
Built in 1784 in Williamstown, the stone manor is the oldest surviving building of its kind in Ontario and played a central role in the early settlement of Glengarry. “Sir John was a founder of Williamstown,” explained treasurer Lynn Lafave. “He brought Loyalists up from the Mohawk Valley after the American Revolution and settled them in the area. He built mills, and from that a whole village grew up and is still there today.” The committee works closely with Parks Canada to preserve and interpret the historic property. Secretary Lorelei MacDonell said their current focus is fundraising for restoration work. “We’re looking to raise funds so that we can do the upstairs of the house,” she said. “We want to make sure that we are preserving history for our community and our country. It’s very important to know where we came from.” Although not a traditional museum, the house features period-appropriate furnishings and historical interpretation, along with archival land records used by family researchers. The site opens for the full season in May. “We’ll be running our ghost walk again on Friday evenings,” Lafave noted, adding that their annual July social, with local entertainment, pie, and ice cream, remains a community favourite. The property is also available for private rentals. “It’s a beautiful place for weddings, reunions, or events,” MacDonell said. “If people are interested, they just need to contact us.”
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