Discover Some of the Oldest Structures in Canada with Passport Places

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have called the land now known as Canada home, long before British and French explorers arrived in the 16th century. Though many early buildings have disappeared over time, traces of the past remain—from archaeological discoveries to historic sites that still stand today. Some of these places hold the title of the “Oldest”, whether it’s the oldest stone structure, the oldest wooden building, or the oldest in a province. Stepping through their doors is like stepping back in time, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who came before us.

 

Cupids Cove Plantation, Cupids, NL

Cupids Cove is the site of the first English settlement in Canada, established by Bristol merchant John Guy in 1610. Here, settlers cleared the land, fished, and attempted to establish a trade with the Beothuk. In fact, Guy’s meeting with the Beothuk in 1613 is one of the few positive interactions between the Indigenous group and European settlers. In addition to being the first English settlement, Cupids is also the site of the first sawmill and brewery in Canada (both built in 1613) and possibly the home to the first English child born in Canada. It was from Cupids that settlements spread to other parts of Conception Bay, including to Harbour Grace.

The archaeological site at Cupids was discovered in 1995 through archaeological survey, and since then four early 17^th century features have been uncovered by archaeologists along with sections of the enclosure surrounding the settlement and thousands of artifacts. Visitors to Cupids Cove Plantation can view exhibits or take a guided tour to learn more about John Guy and his colony before heading to the archaeological site and view history as it’s uncovered.

 

Sinclair Inn, Annapolis Royal, NS

One of the oldest wooden structures in all of Canada, Sinclair Inn might be the only remaining pre-expulsion Acadian structure in Annapolis Royal. Built c. 1708-1710, Sinclair Inn was established by tavern-keeper Frederick Sinclair in the 1780s when he combined two existing buildings into the one structure standing today. It was operational as an inn for over 150 years, and the building still retains much of the original material, including wattle-and-daub walls (a 6,000-year-old composite building method where woven lattice of “wattle” is “daubbed” with a sticky material, usually a combination of soil, clay, sand, animal dung, and straw).

In addition to being one of Canada’s oldest wooden structures, the Sinclair Inn also boasts 175-year-old masonic paintings, dubbed “the painted room”. They were discovered hidden under layers of wallpaper in the 2010s and are now open for public viewing.

Today, the building is a striking example of restoration, and provides a glimpse into the original construction, materials, and evolution of the site. It is operated as a museum by the Annapolis Heritage Society. After visiting the Sinclair Inn, visitors can explore the rest of Annapolis Royal Heritage District and its history.

H.M Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, Brantford, ON  

One of only three Chapels Royal in Canada and the oldest surviving church in Ontario, H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks tells the story of Six Nations, the Haldimand Treaty, and even has a connection to the American Revolutionary War. Built in 1785 by the British Crown, Mohawk Chapel was given to the Mohawk people, led by Joseph Brant, for their support during the American Revolution. The Mohawks lent their support to the British Crown during the American Revolution in the hopes that the Crown would address issues of land encroachment by European settlers. After the war, the Mohawks left their homeland to resettle in Upper Canada on lands reserved for them in compensation for their loss in the Mohawk Valley.  

The Chapel, which was given the Royal chapel designation in 1904, features a series of eight stained-glass windows that share the history of the Six Nations and their role in Canadian history. There is also a burying ground onsite where several important members of Six Nations have been buried, including Joseph Brant and his son John Brant. Visitors can take a guided tour of the chapel to learn more about its history and the history of Six Nations or explore the chapel at their own pace.

Hurtubise House, Westmount, QC

Hurtubise House, built in 1739 for Jean Hurtubise, is the oldest building in Westmount and has been occupied by six generations of the Hurtubise family until the last homeowner, Leopold Hurtubise, died in 1955. The house was sold to members of the Molson family (yes, those Molsons) who saved the building from demolition. The group later went on to form the Canadian Heritage of Quebec, who now manage and protect the building.

Please note that Hurtubise House can be visited by appointment only. Visit their website for more details.

 

Newman Wine Vaults, St. John’s, NL

Hidden behind the facade of an otherwise unassuming building in downtown St. John’s is two massive brick and stone vaulted wine cellars filled with barrels of port wine.

You might be wondering why port wine, which is made and aged in the Douro Valley of Portugal is in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Well, legend says that in 1679, a ship loaded with port wine and bound for London drifted off course and eventually landed in St. John’s where the crew had to winter. The port wine was stored in caves in the Southside Hills of St. John’s, and when the vessel and its cargo of port wine finally reached England they discovered that the wine actually tasted better. It had gained a smoothness and flavour that it hadn’t had before, and since then Newman and Company aged their port wine in Newfoundland.

The building dates from c. late 1700s to early 1800, making Newman Wine Vaults one of the oldest standing structures in St. John’s. Today, Newman Wine Vaults tells the story of the 300-year-old connection between Newfoundland and Portugal. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the site with an interpreter, learn about the Newman family and their involvement in trade, explore history of barrel vaults and even try building on for yourself, and for those 19+ a small sample of Newmans Celebrated Port.

 

Bytown Museum, Ottawa, ON

Bytown Museum is housed within Ottawa’s oldest stone structure, the Commissariat Building. First constructed in 1827, the building housed offices for Commissariat officials, residential accommodation, and an important depot for the supply of provisions to construction sites along the Rideau Canal, which is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum was founded by the Women’s Canadian Historical Society of Ottawa in 1917 and moved to its current location in the Commissariat Building in 1951.

This 1839 painting by Henry Francis shows the Commissariat Building (now the Bytown Museum) at the entrance to the Rideau Canal. This hill on the right side of the painting is now the site of Canada’s Parliament Buildings.

Today, the Bytown Museum houses artifacts and exhibits detailing the evolution of Canada’s capital and its people. Visitors are welcome to explore the history of Ottawa, breathtaking views of the canal and its surroundings, and explore special events at the museum.

 

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens, Victoria, BC

In 1852, Hudson’s Bay Company official John Work acquired the land where Point Ellice House now stands, later gifting it to his daughter, Catherine, and her husband, George Wentworth Wallace, who built the house in 1861-62, making it one of Victoria’s oldest homes, but faced hardships that led to its sale. In 1867, colonial official Peter O’Reilly purchased the property, leaving a lasting mark on its history while also playing a significant role in the imposition of colonial laws that displaced Indigenous communities. Point Ellice House sits on the unceded territories of the Songhees and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) peoples, whose stewardship of this land continues today.

Today, Point Ellice offers self-guided tours of the house and gardens, special events, and rotating exhibits for visitors to enjoy. It is also a focal point for exploring connections and exchange between cultures that shaped this region, especially the significant contributions of First Nations and Métis communities.

 

Old Log Church Museum, Whitehorse, YK

One of the oldest buildings in the Yukon, the Old Log Church was constructed in 1900 by Reverend Richard Brown when Whitehorse was still a frontier town. This year, they are celebrating their 125th anniversary, marking over a century of history and community significance. Throughout the years it has served a variety of functions for the community, including as a place of worship for army personnel during the construction of the Alaska Highway in the 1940s. Today, the Old Log Church is home to the Old Log Church Museum and shares stories of whalers, explorers, and Yukon First Nations. Their collections include Inuvialuit articles from Herschel Island, historic photographs, and more.

 

Beothuk Interpretation Centre, Boyd’s Cove, NL

Beothuk Interpretation Centre tells the story of Newfoundland’s Beothuk people, a now disappeared Indigenous people. The adjoining archaeological site, first discovered in the 1980s, has produced finds like reworked fishing hooks, stone arrowheads, and bone carvings, as well as the remains of a 300-year-old Beothuk village including house pits which are still visible to visitors today. The site is also the first to connect the Beothuk with their pre-contact ancestors, the Little Passage people, through their shared technology. The archaeological site represents a peaceful time, and much of the site has been left intact for future generations of archaeologists to study and excavate as new and improved techniques emerge.

Visitors can join an interpreter for a guided tour of the site or explore on their own. Walk down the wooded trail toward the archaeological site to imagine what life might have looked like at this site 300 years ago. The site also includes a Spirit Garden just a short walk away from the Interpretation Centre and is dedicated to the memory of the Beothuk. Visitors are invited to leave a token made from materials available on site.

Some of the oldest structures in Canada are part of the Trust’s Passport Places program, a National Trust membership benefit that provides free access to 100 historic places in Canada, as well as 1000+ National Trust places abroad. Become a member today!