Matthew Farfan

Any outing to the northeastern part of the Townships (the Hautes-Appalaches region) would be incomplete without a visit to Kinnear's Mills. Off the beaten track about 20 km northeast of Thetford Mines, this little hamlet is located at the heart of a hilly region in the Osgood River valley.

This harnessmaker's cabin, c.1850, is rare in that it
is made of squared logs. (Photo: Matthew Farfan)

Settled during the 19th century by successive waves of Scottish, Irish, English and French Canadian families, Kinnear's Mills retains much of its picturesque charm, including a number of historic buildings, notably the old general store and four churches -- Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist (United), and Catholic.

Right: the Catholic and Anglican churches, buried beneath a blanket of snow. (Photo: Matthew Farfan)

Named after James Kinnear, a Scotsman who owned the local mill, Kinnear's Mills today is a quiet little village for most of the year -- especially during the winter months.

"James Kinnear." (Photo: Heritage Kinnear's Mills)

In the summer, however, animated tours of the village are hosted by guides dressed in period costume and playing the parts of local pioneers, including James Kinnear himself. Activities include folk music, bagpipes, storytelling and more. Heritage Kinnear's Mills, the local group responsible for these events, has a Heritage Centre in the former Methodist Church, where visitors may learn about pioneer history and view an exhibition of early photographs.

Opening hours at Heritage Kinnear's Mills are as follows:
June 19-August 29: Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September 4-26: Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
September 6 (Labour Day Monday): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the Heritage Centre. (Photo: Heritage Kinnear's Mills)

Admission to the Heritage Centre is $7.00 for adults; $5.00 for children 13 to 16; $2.00 for children 7 to 12; and free for children 6 and under. Packages and group rates are available. Service is available in English and French. For more information on Heritage Kinnear's Mills or summer activities, call: (418) 424-0880 (office) or (418) 424-0480 (reception), or email k_hogan@bellnet.ca.