Uniacke Estate Museum Park facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage house museum |
Uniacke Estate Museum Park is a special place in Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia. It was once the home of a very important person named Richard John Uniacke. This beautiful estate, built around 1813, is now a museum. It is part of the Nova Scotia Museum system, which means it helps teach people about history.
Contents
History of the Estate
Richard John Uniacke built this large estate as his country home. He was Nova Scotia's Attorney-General during the War of 1812. This job meant he was the main legal advisor for the government.
Choosing the Location
The estate is located along the old "Post Road." This was the main road between Halifax and Windsor. Uniacke's family said he chose this spot in 1776. At that time, he was being taken to Halifax. He saw the lake and hillside and decided he would build his home there one day.
Building the Home
Uniacke's career became very successful. He was able to buy the land for his dream estate. Building the house started in 1813 and finished in 1818. Uniacke also had a house in Halifax. However, he spent most of his time living and entertaining guests at this estate. He lived there until he passed away in 1830.
The Estate as a Museum
The house stayed in the Uniacke family for many years. Not much changed until the Nova Scotia government bought it in 1949. It first opened to the public as a museum on June 2, 1952.
Today, the house is open during certain seasons as part of the Nova Scotia Museum. Its inside has been carefully restored to look like it did long ago. There is also a tea room for visitors.
The estate grounds are open all year round. They have many trails that show off the historic landscape of the park. One trail includes a 2.5 kilometer section of the old Halifax to Windsor road. This part of the road is from the time of stagecoaches and is now a hiking trail.
Family Portraits
The house has many portraits that belonged to the Uniacke family. These paintings were made by famous American artists of that time.
-
Richard John Uniacke by Robert Field
-
Susannah (Boutineau) Franklin (1762) by John Singleton Copley (wife of Michael Franklin)
-
Susannah Boutineau by Robert Feke (1748), (mother-in-law of Michael Franklin)
-
Alicia Uniacke (daughter of Richard John Uniacke) by Robert Field (painter)
-
Richard John Uniacke, Jr. (son of Richard John Uniacke) by Robert Field (painter)
- The portraits of the Francklins came to Nova Scotia in 1762. They stayed in the province until 1927.
- Michael's portrait was bought for the Nova Scotia Museum in 1982.
- The two portraits were brought back together at Uniacke House when Susanna's portrait was bought in 2004.
- Another portrait is of James Boutineau by Robert Feke (1748). He was the father-in-law of Michael Franklin.
See also
- List of oldest buildings in Canada
