Horaceville, Ottawa

Horaceville

Established	1820 as Pinhey homestead;
Location	270 Pinhey’s Point Road in Dunrobin, 20 minutes outside of Kanata., 40 minutes west of downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Type	house museum park
Website	Pinhey's Point
National Historic Site of Canada
Official name	Horaceville National Historic Site of Canada
Designated	1975

Horaceville is a historic site located on the Ottawa River in eastern Ontario, Canada. The site remained the property of Pinhey's heirs until the 1970s, when the property was sold to the township. Today, The 88-acre (360,000 m²) heritage site is owned and operated by the City of Ottawa and Pinhey's home serves as a museum. The museum is open May 14 through August 31, Wednesdays to Sundays, 11 am to 5 pm. This location is also known as Pinhey's Point Historic Site. The property was designated by the City of Ottawa under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as having cultural heritage value or interest. A bronze plaque erected on the site by the Ontario Heritage Foundation describes the property's history: "HAMNETT KIRKES PINHEY 1784 - 1857 - A merchant and ship owner in his native England, Pinhey came to Upper Canada in 1820. For his services as King's messenger during the Napoleonic Wars, he received a 1000 acres land grant on the Ottawa River. Within a decade he had built up an estate which he named Horaceville after his elder son. In addition to a manor house and barns, it included mills, a store and church. Pinhey took a leading part in township and district affairs. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1847, served as Warden of the Dalhousie District, and as the first Warden of Carleton County. Horaceville remained in family hands until 1959 when it was purchased by the National Capital Commission."

The site, which is a popular destination for boaters, cyclists, and picnics, consists of 88 acres (360,000 m²) of park land, a nearly 200 year old stone manor house, two barns, scenic views of the River and several stone ruins. The manor house acts as a historic house museum with furnished rooms and temporary exhibits. The City of Ottawa offers multiple programs for families throughout its operating season (May - August) as well as some programs in the off-season. The park itself is open year-round. Admission to the museum is by donation; some of the programs and special events charge a small fee for participation. The venue can be rented for weddings, anniversaries, or any other special celebration.

History

View of an early Pinhey family homestead outbuilding in March Township, built in 1825.

Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey, an English merchant, petitioned Lord Bathurst, Colonial Secretary at the time, for land in Canada as reward for his service in the British Army and received a 1000 acre (4 km²) land grant for service in the Napoleonic Wars. He retired from business, left England and travelled to Upper Canada around 1820. On his lands in March Township, he built a grist mill, homes for employees and a small two storey log house covered in clapboard. There were seven small cannons facing the river. Pinhey, who continued to prosper as a politician and insurance broker, named the estate, Horaceville, after his oldest son Horace. Horace was to be the heir to the estate, in accordance with British aristocratic tradition.

The Horaceville estate Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey built, which consisted of several stone and log structures, is now known as Pinhey’s Point Historic Site. The site includes 88 acres of farmers’ fields, shoreline, and parkland, the manor house, and several ruins.

The site remained the property of Pinhey's heirs until Miss Ruth Pinhey died in 1971; her heirs sold the estate to March Townships. The Pinhey's Point Foundation was established in 1980 to preserve and develop the estate as a historic site and recreation area. The Pinhey's Point Foundation owns the artefact collection and indoor exhibitions at Pinhey’s Point, which provide historical context. The Pinhey's Point Foundation publishes a newsletter called the Horaceville Herald, which contains information about upcoming events and other news about the museum. In 2014, special events included: Preschool Picnics at the Museum; Young Artisans; Explorer's Club; Horaceville Harvest; Culture Days; Ghost Stories of the Ottawa Valley; and Halloween at Horaceville. The Pinhey's Point Foundation presents historic exhibits, organizes and staff events where "visitors of all ages can learn about the area’s natural heritage, traditional trades, and the rich human history of the area."

The Pinhey's Point Foundation interprets the history of the estate, The Pinhey family and Township of March/City of Kanata. The Pinhey's Point Foundation owned, managed and maintained the property from 1983-1990, when it was conveyed to the City of Kanata. Since Kanata amalgated in 2001, the City of Ottawa has owned, managed and maintained the site and has been responsible for programming. The Pinhey's Point Foundation advises the City of Ottawa on heritage aspects of the site.

Sailin & Boating

Pinhey Point has a bay which is popular and convenient for both day and overnight anchorage, however people should not attempt to land at the site's small dock facilities in anything bigger than a dinghy or tender. Cruising and day sailing events, distance race or regatta can be observed almost every weekend. Many racing events are held in cooperation with the nearby Britannia Yacht Club, Nepean Sailing Club and Club de voile Grande-Rivière.

Pinhey's Point Race & Raft-up is an Interclub Long Distance (~15 Nm) up-river race with a social raft-up at Pinhey's Point Historic Site, which held annually in late June or early July.

Month	Event	Host	Awards
June	Pinhey's Point Race -Interclub Long Distance (ILD) Race	Britannia Yacht Club Nepean Sailing Club	BYC Fleet Trophy, Edwin L. Brittain Trophy, Vice Commodore's Trophy, L.S. Sherwood Tray, Forrest Tray, Evening Citizen Trophy, Director's Trophy, Keepers

Curriculum

For students from kindergarten through Grade 7, curriculum-linked programs are offered on topics related to history, social science, science, math, the arts, and physical education.

Legacy

View of an early Pinhey family homestead in March Township, built in 1825 with the Ottawa River in the background.

The Ontario Heritage Trust erected a plaque for Honourable Hamnet Kirks Pinhey 1784-1857 at Horaceville, Pinhey's former estate beside the Ottawa River, Regional Road 21 north of Road 49, near South March - about 20 km from downtown Ottawa. "On land granted to him for service in the Napoleonic Wars, Pinhey built a substantial estate comprising several log and stone structures. Later, he became prominent in local affairs and held a number of public offices."

Buildings

View of dock on Ottawa River of early Pinhey family homestead in March Township

View of dock on Ottawa River of early Pinhey family homestead in March Township

A stone parlour and three small upstairs bedrooms for the servants were added to the home between 1822 and 1825. In 1841, Pinhey added a central hall kitchen wing with a sweeping staircase leading upstairs to a dining room and a bedroom over the front entrance. In 1848 and 1849, a south wing was added with a library, pantry, drawing room and more bedrooms on the second floor.

Other buildings on the site included a barn, stone stable, powder magazine and St. Mary's Church. The construction of the church began on 1825 and the first service was held on October 7, 1827. The opening featured a seven gun salute from the cannons. The building of the church on this site was opposed by the bishop of Quebec, who felt that the church should be built further inland. Even though Pinhey donated part of his land and the labour costs, the bishop still refused to consecrate the church.

See also

• List of designated heritage properties in Ottawa
• Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey
• March Township, Ontario

External links

• Pinhey's Point Historic Site
• Take a Virtual Cruise on the Ottawa River