On the brink of war – again
As the Maritime delegates arrived in Quebec City in October, 1864, ready to continue the talks that had begun in Charlottetown, they were in...
Sir John A.
There has always been an ambivalence among historians regarding the place of Sir John A. Macdonald in the Confederation story. While it is true...
Kemptville Business Directory:
This is, in fact, quite a selective list of businesses which were operating in the North Grenville area in the 1860's. A much fuller...
Vigorous encouragement
The story of Confederation had reached a dead end. New Brunswick had voted against the entire scheme, and, without New Brunswick as a physical...
Kemptville Public School, 1873-1936
The B&H Grocery store in Kemptville stands today on what was once the site of this really lovely school. The Kemptville Public School served...
The last invasion
In the summer of 1866, as British America moved slowly towards Confederation, one threat which had been hanging over the provinces for years seemed...
Merrick Tavern
This is one of the oldest houses in the region. Built, possibly, as early as 1800, it was the first home of William Merrick...
The First Martyr
Thomas D’Arcy McGee had played an important role in bringing about Confederation. As the only Canadian delegate to have actually toured the Maritimes in...
The Block house: a Rideau Canal icon
The Block house beside the Rideau Canal locks is one of the most iconic of Merrickville’s sights. Built 185 years ago, in 1832, it...
London – the final conference
There had been so many highs and lows in the story of Confederation since 1864. What with the Fenian raid, the resignation of George...