Missisquoi Museum And Historic Stanbridge East

The Cornell Mill, seen here from the opposite bank of the Pike River, was built in 1830. It has been home to the Missisquoi Historical Society since 1964. The Pike River flows through the heart of Stanbridge East. In this view, the Cornell Mill is visible downstream from Hodge's Store. A dam, adjacent to the mill, created a pond upstream and helped direct water into the wheel that powered the machinery in the mill. The oft-photographed Cornell Mill (2 River Street) is a beautiful sight in any season. Note the water wheel to the left of this photo. This is a replica of the original wheel that once powered the gristmill. The redcoat worn by Hendrick TenEyck during the American Revolution is just one of the many prized artifacts pertaining to Missisquoi County's colourful Loyalist past. The Missisquoi Historical Society has an extensive archives of documentary and photographic material. Items in the collection include rare images of village life a century or more ago. Seen here is the American House. Dating to the early 1800s, this inn (now gone) was located in the centre of the village. The property of Joseph Dion, it was destroyed by fire in 1922. The Fenians (Irish raiders who invaded Canada from Vermont in the 1860s) are said to have refreshed themselves here, leaving their rifles on t Boating and swimming in the mill pond above the dam on the Pike River was a popular pastime in days gone by. The boaters seen here were photographed around 1910. Upon leaving the Cornell Mill, cross the street to the former Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc Catholic Church (7 River Street). This splendid neo-classical edifice was actually built as a bank in 1861. It served first as the Baker Bank, and then as a branch of the Eastern Townships Bank, the Sovereign Bank, and finally the Bank of Commerce. In 1952, the building was converted to a Catholic Church. The church closed some years ago, and the building has since been sold. The massive pilasters at the corners of the old Baker Bank and the columns on the building's porch are striking examples of neo-classical design. The pilasters and columns are of the Ionic order. Proceed up River Street to Hodge's Store (20 River Street). Built c.1840, this unusual red brick building operated as a general store for three generations. According to one tale, the storekeeper "refused to sell cigarettes, but did stock chewing tobacco and had well placed spittoons for loungers around the store." The store also served as a pharmacy, post office, and most certainly as the village gossip-mill. When Hodge's closed in 1972, the Hodge family deeded the building and its contents to the Miss Inside, Hodge's is so authentic that it seems as if the storekeeper has just stepped out for a moment. The funny thing is that much of the stock on the shelves dates back to the Second World War and some of it as far back as the turn of the last century. Clearly the merchandise here did not fly off the shelves! Guided tours of Hodge's are available. Turn north onto Academy Street. Some beautiful homes line this street, which is named after the old village academy that was built here in 1854. The United Church, built in 1884, is lovely. A little further on is the Baker Barn. Like many of the homes in the village, this splendid barn dates to the nineteenth century. Its attractive lines and stunning colour make it a favourite subject for photographers. Next, turn the corner onto Saxe-Cornell Street. Continue on to Maple Street, and turn left. A short way down Maple, on the right, is St. James the Apostle Anglican Church (15 Maple Street). Built in 1860 in the Gothic revival style, St. James is one of the most beautiful buildings in Stanbridge East. An example of the Gothic detail on St. James the Apostle Church. Others features of interest include the locally-produced red brick that is so typical of Missisquoi County; the original slate roof; and the fine woodwork on the church's interior. Opposite the Anglican Church is the old rectory. This fine fieldstone house, with its curved French-Canadian style roof, dates to 1853. Continue down Maple Street and onto Caleb Tree Road. Note the unusual-looking Palmer House (4 Caleb Tree Road), on the right. Like Hodge's Store, this red brick home is characterized by stepped, Flemish-style gables. It is believed that this building tradition is the result of strong historical ties between Missisquoi County and the Dutch population of New York State. Cross the bridge over the Pike River. The brick building on the left is the old Cecil Hotel (7 Caleb Tree Road). Built in 1849, the Cecil served Molson's Ale on the inside and gasoline on the outside. Seen here c.1915, the "Old Mill Pub," as the establishment is now called, is a public house to this day. Every year in September, the Missisquoi Historical Society holds its main annual fundraiser -- its famous Apple Pie Festival. Hundreds of visitors flock to the museum from miles around to sample the delicious pies and ice cream served up by museum staff and volunteers.

The Missisquoi Museum is a highlight of any trip through Missisquoi County, and an excellent starting point for a walking tour around the picturesque village of Stanbridge East.
 
Housed in the historic Cornell Grist Mill, which has hugged the banks of the Pike River in Stanbridge East since 1830, the Missisquoi Museum is spread out over several levels of the sprawling old structure.This museum is not your typical museum. The aging brick walls are cracked and slanted. The smell of old wood is everywhere. And the sound of the river below is ever-present. All of these things, however, somehow lend an air of authenticity to the museum and its contents.

The Missisquoi Historical Society, which runs the museum, was founded in 1899. One of the oldest historical societies in the Eastern Townships, its mission is to preserve and promote the history of this part of the Townships, with special emphasis on the area's United Empire Loyalist roots.

Visitors to the museum will discover some of the most treasured objects from Missisquoi's past. One artifact, particularly prized, is the redcoat worn by pioneer Hendrick TenEyck during the American Revolution to escape being pressed into the British Navy. Another treasure is the flag of the Missisquoi "Home Guards" who defended the Canadian Border against the Fenians at the Battle of Eccles Hill in 1870. That was the last time the country was invaded!

Stanbridge.3_0.JPGAn especially charming display is the collection of 500 hand-carved and intricately painted miniatures of a traveling circus, lovingly crafted by husband and wife Charles and Florence Millard back in the 1920s. Mr. Millard was a Canadian Customs inspector who was struck by inspiration one day when he saw the Barnum and Bailey Circus crossing into Canada at the Sutton border. The result was a masterpiece of folk art that, nearly a century later, is still a delight to visitors young and old.

A stroll along Stanbridge East’s tranquil, tree-lined streets is virtually a walk into the past. The village, with a population of just over 800, was by-passed by the highway years ago. Indeed, things never seems to change here – or at least, not much. This, of course, is part of Stanbridge East’s charm, and has earned the village membership in Quebec’s Association of Most Beautiful Villages…

Author:
Matthew Farfan