Cornwall’s forgotten second historical museum
The Woodhouse
museum, moved to
its current location on January 8, 2000
FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
The Inverarden Museum remains closed to visitors
area for fear of being arrested. The behemoth of a building dates back to a different time, when Cornwall was still in its infancy and the canons of the 1812 War were still warm. Built in 1816 for John Mcdonald, a trading partner of the North West Company, the house was surrounded by 150 acres of fertile land. According to Parks Canada, who classifies the site as a cultural treasure. “(The) house is a fine early example of Regency architecture and its interior is a pleasing expression of Georgian symmetry with excellent detailing. In a wooded setting and com- manding an impressive view, this was a fitting house for a country squire.” Yet Mcdonald left the one and a half-storey home in 1823, selling it to his daughter Eliza and her husband John Duncan Campbell. Their descendants lived in the massive house for over 150 years, before selling it to a chemical company in 1965. The company then
One is a welcoming structure, located in Lamoureux Park, a red-bricked path leading to its entrance. The other is surrounded by trees and blocked off from visitors, a menacing “NO TRESPASSING” sign displayed at its entrance. Both are historically important jewels of Cornwall, but are owned by two different levels of government. The Wood House is owned by the City of Cornwall and operated by the SD&GHistorical Society, whereas Inverarden is managed by the Federal Government. The latter’s blocked driveway deters potential tour- ists fromvisiting it. Not that it would change anything, however, as every window and door is nailed shut. In addition, the surrounding grounds are private property, meaning no one can venture in the heavily wooded
Le Journal, Cornwall
4
Le mercredi 2 décembre 2015
Made with FlippingBook HTML5