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McFarland House & McFarland Point Park15927 Niagara Parkway Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0
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This historic and beautiful Georgian style home was built in 1800 and was the residence of John McFarland and his family for 150 years. It is one of the few buildings in Niagara-on-the-Lake which pre-dates the War of 1812. McFarland built the home with his sons from bricks made in a kiln on the property. A back wing was added later to accommodate a growing family.
Visitors will be taken back in time as interpretive guides in period costume take you through this stately home and garden. Be sure to indulge in some scrumptious home baked treats or a lovely cup of tea at the McFarland Tea Garden. Sample fine refreshments or sip a glass of Niagara wine. Light lunches and ice cream are also available for take-out to be enjoyed in the park, or along the adjacent Niagara River Recreation Trail. Traditional 19th century gardens have been meticulously designed to resemble a traditional door yard garden.The spacious grounds surrounding this stately home are the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or a leisurely stroll on a sunny summer day.
This point of interest is linked to The Battlefields of The War of 1812 Tour.
Seasonal Times subject to change.
May 12 - September 4
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Selected Dates in December
Last ticket sold 1/2 hour before closing.
From Toronto:
1. Take the QEW towards Niagara
2. Make a slight left onto King’s Highway 405
3. Take the
4. Keep left at the fork, following signs for
5. Turn left at
6. Continue onto
7. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto
From Niagara:
1. Take the Queen Elizabeth Way toward Toronto
2. Take the Regional Road 89/Glendale Avenue exit toward Niagara-on-the-Lake
3. Turn right onto Glendale Ave/Regional Rd 89
4. Turn left onto York Rd (signs for Virgil/Niagara-on-the-Lake)
5. Take the 1st right onto Airport Rd
6. Drove 2.8 km then turn right onto Niagara Stone Rd
7. After 7.4 km turn right onto East and West Line (signs for East & West Line/Regional Road
8. Drive 3.7 km then turn right onto Niagara Pkwy
The parking lot will be on your left.
Historical McFarland, widowed with four children, emigrated from Paisley, Scotland in the 1790s.The house was restored and opened in 1959 by The Niagara Parks Commission, using period pieces to recreate its original appearance.
Traditional 19th century gardens have been meticulously designed to resemble a traditional door yard garden.
McFarland was granted 608 acres of land by the British Crown in return for his services as boat builder to King George III. Upon settling in Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) he married Margaret Wilson, a neighbor, and before her death in 1809 five additional children were welcomed into the family.
During the War of 1812 the home was used as a hospital for injured British and American soldiers and a British canon was set up on its property to protect the river. Further, due to its strategic location, the British raid and capture of Fort Niagara on December 18, 1813 was launched from the ravine behind the home. The home is of particular historical significance as it survived the burning of Newark, a tragedy which took place when the American forces occupying Fort George retreated from the area in December 1813.
Adjacent to the Niagara River Recreation Trail.
The House is adjacent to the Niagara River Recreation Trail.
There are picnic pavilions located on the property that can accommodate groups of picnickers. The park is divided by a deep ravine and visitors can access the wooden bridge to cross it. Nature enthusiasts can access several nature trails from across the bridge.
Niagara River Recreation Trail Map: www.niagaraparks.com/files/Map_Heritage_Trail.pdf
This webpage was prepared by Cavelle Schmid and Kristin Atkinson in December 2009. Trip narration by Cavelle Schmid, photos by Cavelle Schmid and Kristin Atkinson. Thanks to the staff at Brock University for their help in the creation of this page.