Driving Tour

Sir John A. MacDonald discovered Napanee in the early days of Canada; in 2001 Harrowsmith Magazine and TVO's Studio 2 declared that it stands proudly among the prettiest small towns in Ontario; Communities in Bloom also gave Greater Napanee a 4-bloom award in the 2001 national competition.

History, architecture, attractions, arts and crafts, restaurants, friendly people - that is the Town of Greater Napanee; and we would be delighted to share our town with you. We are easy to find - on the 401 between Belleville and Kingston. Click for locator map.

Our Museum - housed in the old County Gaol - is a great starting point for any exploration of Loyalist Ontario. This includes extensive archives and a very strong genealogical section. At nearby Hay Bay area where early United Empire Loyalists settled you can visit the Hay Bay Church, one of the earliest in Canada - recently recognised as a National Historic Site.

Returning the town centre you can enjoy tea at Macpherson House - originally the port captain's house in the late 1700s - now restored to its former glory.

Loyalist Highlights

Itinerary A2 Minimum 5.5 hours

Your tour starts at the Lennox & Addington County Museum for a welcome and introduction to Napanee. The museum, housed in a 19th century jail, is an historical and genealogical research centre. Next door is the refurbished Court House, originally designed by Thomas Fuller, the architect of Canada's first Parliament Buildings.

Continue then on a Napanee drive: see Springside Park with the falls which ran Napanee`s first mill in 1786; the Town Hall, is an example of carefully preserved 19th century architecture. It also has links with Canada's first Prime Minister; Sir John A. delivered his last campaign speech in 1891 from the balcony of the Town Hall. There is also time for a look at the shops - arts and crafts, galleries etc.

Drive to the shores of Lake Ontario and Historic Bath - The Settlement of Bath dates back to the American Revolution and owes its existence to a group of United Empire Loyalists. In 1783, the Townships of Kingston and Ernestown were laid out and in 1784, the Jessup Loyal Rangers drew lots for their land along the Bay of Quinte around what is now Bath. Names still common in the town - Hawley, Davy, Rose, Amey - were entered on the map as each drew his lot.

See Fairfield Gutzeit House - the old Fairfield-Gutzeit House, on the lakeshore. The Fairfields first came to Bath in 1793 when William Jr. and Benjamin left their father's home near Amherstview. The home was built in 1796. Both brothers were active in the town and served as M.L.A.'s. It has gone through changes since first built. In its original form the roof line was plain, without gables, dormers or the south side porch. The symmetrical south facade, with side lighted entrance are original and place the structure among the early classical buildings in Ontario.

Finally return to Napanee and Allan Macpherson House: Step back ... to a time when Sir John A. Macdonald roamed the halls of Napanee's proudest historical homes. Built in 1826, the Macpherson House has seen many distinguished people come and go. Now a museum, the house preserves a way of life so that we may relive the past and remember how it used to be ... Staff in period costumes will be pleased to show you around the House.

Sir John A. MacDonald's Napanee

Itinerary B Minimum 5.5 hours

Your tour starts at the Lennox & Addington County Museum for a welcome and introduction to Napanee. The museum, housed in a 19th century jail, is an historical and genealogical research centre. Next door is the refurbished Court House, originally designed by Thomas Fuller, the architect of Canada's first Parliament Buildings.

Continue then on a Napanee drive: see Springside Park with the falls which ran Napanee`s first mill in 1786; the Town Hall, is an example of carefully preserved 19th century architecture. It also has links with Canada's first Prime Minister; Sir John A. delivered his last campaign speech in 1891 from the balcony of the Town Hall. There is also time for a look at the shops.

Enjoy a walk around Hay Bay Historic church: Built in 1792 on land donated by Paul Huff, it is the oldest Methodist Church in Upper Canada. Hay Bay Church was the first meeting house for Loyalists in Ontario. Your guide will explain the importance of this church, now a National Historic Monumnet.

Adolphustown - Loyalist Cultural Centre & Museum: Historic "Allison House" (c.1876) located on Lake Ontario is the home of the Loyalist Cultural Centre. It contains artifacts, family papers, maps, records, charts, surveys, histories, community and government records dating from the landing of the Loyalists in 1784.

Adolphustown Loyalist Memorial Church - St. Alban the Martyr: Commemorates the local Anglican congregation which dates back to 1784 and its first church built in 1822.

Adolphus Reach: lake views

Finally visit Allan Macpherson House: Step back ... to a time when Sir John A. Macdonald roamed the halls of Napanee's proudest historical homes. Built in 1826, the Macpherson House has seen many distinguished people come and go. Now a museum, the house preserves a way of life so that we may relive the past and remember how it used to be ... Staff in period costumes will be pleased to show you round the House.

A Look at Historic Napanee

Itinerary A1 Minimum 3.5 Hours

Your tour starts at the Lennox & Addington County Museum for a welcome and introduction to Napanee. The museum, housed in a 19th century jail, is an historical and genealogical research centre. Next door is the refurbished Court House, originally designed by Thomas Fuller, the architect of Canada's first Parliament Buildings.

Continue then on a Napanee drive: see Springside Park with the falls which ran Napanee`s first mill in 1786; the Town Hall, is an example of carefully preserved 19th century architecture. It also has links with Canada's first Prime Minister; Sir John A. delivered his last campaign speech in 1891 from the balcony of the Town Hall. There is also time for a look at the shops - arts and crafts, galleries etc.

Finally visit Allan Macpherson House: Step back ... to a time when Sir John A. Macdonald roamed the halls of Napanee's proudest historical homes. Built in 1826, the Macpherson House has seen many distinguished people come and go. Now a museum, the house preserves a way of life so that we may relive the past and remember how it used to be ... Staff in period costumes will be pleased to show you round the House.

Options:

Genealogy: Explore your family history at the Museum’s Genealogical Centre.
Lunch: May be arranged at one of Napanee’s restaurants which offer a complete range of meal prices.
Tea: Afternoon Tea may be arranged at Macpherson House.