Our Heritage House

by DKT

First - the history of this heritage house. My great-grandfather bought land in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal, Quebec, in the early 1900s. The land, approximately 100 acres, was on a pristine lake that had three arms. On one arm he built a country getaway high on a hill with a grand veranda looking down to the water.

This is where my grandmother and her sister and brother spent their childhood summers. Subsequently her children, my father and aunt, did the same.

When the house was built the fields were open but over time the forest reestablished itself and by the time I came along, the property was heavily treed.

My grandmother built a full-time home at the end of one of the other arms in the 1960s. At that point all the land was owned by about three families and there was a solid agreement to allow no motor boats on the lake. That agreement is still in effect today and the water is clear and pure enough to drink.

Over the years the house has seen many changes... as has the family. My grandmother passed on in the 1980s. Her home and some of the land around it was sold. Other parcels of the land were passed on to family members. And a dear friend of the family purchased the main property and old house.

She has lovingly renovated and restored it - and the best part is that our family are all still welcome to visit. My aunt, who is now 86, still spends part of the year there enjoying the country and the lake.

My own father's ashes were spread in the forest beyond the house after he died in 2004.

Here are some photos of the old heritage house. The first is called the Native room. In this room there's a piece of wood from an old Indian canoe found in the lake plus items collected from all over the world - the Australian outback, New Mexico (Taos), Africa, and local native artifacts. The room was inspired by a spiritual experience involving a visit from 5 owls in each of the pine trees around the house after a night of ceremonies and a drumming circle.

The second shot is one of the upper bedrooms. Some of the wood on the walls and floors is original and some has been added or replaced over the years.

Every country kitchen needs a wood stove! The house also has an old stone fireplace that looks majestic but it's not very efficient. This stove in the kitchen addition provides lots of heat for that space.

This barn - an original outbuilding was moved - board-by-board - and reassembled in recent years.

The inside has been finished to provide accommodation for Wwoofers (Willing Workers on Organic farms ).

Our heritage house and property, which we've always referred to simply as "the country" has played an important role in our family's lives. From Christmases to summer holidays, learning to swim and canoe in the lake, exploring the woods, all the memories are magical.

I thought those interested in country life and the rustic lodge lifestyle would appreciate our experience.

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