Event Overview
As part of the 2015 Northern Tour, Her Honour conducted an official visit to the City of Kenora. Her Honour enjoyed a reception with local community leaders, toured City Hall, and visited both the Mather Walls House historical landmark and the Harbourfront Pier.
Tweets
Some photos from my recent visit to the Northwestern Ontario communities of #Dryden, #Kenora, #FortFrances & #TBay. https://t.co/JfXmTGxzHi
— Elizabeth Dowdeswell (@LGLizDowdeswell) August 28, 2015
Site of Significance
Mather Walls House: "The Mather Walls house was built by John Mather, a native of Scotland that emigrated to Canada in 1857. John built the house in 1889 and was one of Keewatin’s earliest pioneers. He built the house for his son David Mather. John was a shrewd business man and formed the Keewatin Lumbering and Manufacturing Company building a flour mill and a saw mill. In 1906, the house was purchased by John Walls, foreman of the mill.
This house is a Queen Anne style Victorian house which has been featured in an episode of Creepy Canada due to the resident ghost which inhabits the home.
Today the house is preserved by the Ontario Heritage Foundation and operated by the Lake of the Woods Historical Society. Tours are offered from May to September, six days a week, closed on Mondays. Every October local High School Students transform the house into a haunted house and tours are offered for three days the weekend before Halloween. You may even meet the real apparition in the house!" Source.
Did You Know?
"Kenora is home to The Muse – the award winning Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Art Centre (opening fall 2019). The collection of the museum spans from pre-history to the present day, including beautiful examples of Anishinabe bead and quillwork, photos and information on the history of Kenora, historic maps, and genealogical information. Kenora has been an influence to great artists like the Group of Seven’s Frank Johnston, and innovator of the Woodland School of Canadian Art Norval Morriseau. These traditions are carried on through groups like the Lake of the Woods Arts Community (LOWAC), the KACL Community Art Hub, and through festivals like the Kenora District Festival of the Arts." Source.
Media
Lieutenant governor in Kenora today