Our Facilities

The Heritage Discovery Centre welcomes you with immersive, interactive exhibits that introduce the “Stories Steeped in Stone,” featuring multimedia displays about early Sault Ste. Marie, the War of 1812, and the people who shaped the region. Inside, you’ll find a modern theatre for short film, a dedicated War of 1812 gallery, engaging interpretive panels, and the “Post” Gift Shop — making it the perfect starting point for your journey through history.

Available spaces:
Theatre sitting – max. of 50 people
Theatre tables & chairs – max. of 35 people
Foyer/Lobby – max. of 70 people

The Ermatinger Old Stone House has been fully restored to depict the domestic and professional life of Charles Oakes Ermatinger, as well as other respected residents who lived in the House between 1808 and 1896.

The house measures 35' by 45' with the original grounds/property spanning 252 acres.

The story of the Ermatinger family weaves into Canada's history with regards to the early settlers, voyageurs, soldiers, writers, and artists. Prior to the completion of the transcontinental railway, Sault Ste. Marie was the gateway between the eastern settlement of Canada and the Western boundaries of exploration.

Charles Oakes Ermatinger was born in Montreal in 1776. He was of Swiss decent and was the son of the wealthy Lawrence Ermatinger and Jemima Oakes. Members of Charles' extended family had been involved in the fur trade and naturally he followed suit.

The “Summer Kitchen” at the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site serves as the site’s interpretative centre — a welcoming entry point that brings the past to life. Housed in the thoughtfully designed heritage-building addition attached to the original stone house, it offers visitors an immersive introduction to the early history, daily life, and diverse heritage of Sault Ste. Marie.

Within the Summer Kitchen and the adjoining spaces of the interpretative centre (now part of the heritage complex), guests can engage with interactive exhibits, period-style presentations, and interpretive programming that highlight stories from the early 19th century — including the fur-trade era, European settlement, the lives of pioneering families, and the growth of industry in the region.

A special aspect of the Summer Kitchen is its continuing tradition of “Heritage Culinary Experiences.” Visitors can enjoy historic-style meals — from teas and breakfasts to full dinners — often prepared with historically inspired recipes and served with period-appropriate settings, giving a taste (literally) of life in a bygone era.

Available space:

Summer Kitchen – max. of 30 people

Francis Hector Clergue has been recognized as a person of national historical significance. He was born on August 28, 1856, in Brewer, Maine.

Clergue arrived in Sault Ste. Marie in 1894 when he went to work for a group of Philadelphia financiers and investors. Clergue recognized the potential that the areas natural resources possessed and capitalized on it, developing multiple industries in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area leaving a lasting impact on the community.

The lower stone story of the Blockhouse dates to 1819, making it the second oldest stone building northwest of Toronto.

In 1894, American entrepreneur Francis Hector Clergue purchased the land and all its holdings including the abandoned powder magazine, which was the only viable building remaining on the old HBC property. Clergue liked the location of this property given its proximity to his pulp and paper mill. Clergue added the finishing touches; by building a wall in the middle of the room to divide the magazine into two parts. The back room was used as a kitchen, and the front was used for a reception area. Clergue pierced the walls and put windows in to allow natural light to enter the building. The upper storey is comprised of solid cedar logs that are of a thickness great enough to support the living quarters of a cantilevered architectural style.

The property surrounding the house contained a grist mill and fields fenced by cedar rails. In the fields we grew wheat, oats, and potatoes. Close to the house there was a vegetable garden, while in a sunny location thyme, mint, and other herbs grew.

We try to use heritage seeds for most of our plants in our gardens, but some are hybrids of the earlier species that would have been planted. The garden has three main areas: the kitchen gardens, the crop gardens, and the orchard area. Flower gardens are scattered throughout the site, highlighting some of the species popular in earlier times.

The heritage gardens enable visitors to see how our forefathers gardened without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers while providing herbs, fruits, and vegetables for use in educational programs and interpretations.

Available spaces:

Outdoor space – max. of 1000