Waba Cottage, Museum & Gardens

24 Museum Rd., White Lake, ON K0A 3L0
613-623-8853

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The museum is full of memories from the past. Local families have been so generous in donating artifacts. We are very proud of our community volunteer force that helped, and continue to help maintain our Museum and Gardens showing ever-continuing support of our heritage. The buildings contain everything from Sunday's best china to farm harvesting equipment.

In 1975 a local resident of White Lake unearthed bones that were later determined to be from 11,500 years ago, belonging to a mature Bowhead whale, an arctic sea mammal. The original bones are at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa, replicas of the bones are on display in the Waba Cottage Museum.

In 1999 the McNab/Braeside Millennium Committee was formed to create a special garden at the Waba Cottage Museum site to mark the beginning of the millennium.

The present building is a faithful reconstruction of the house built in 1835 by the founder of Mcnab Township, the controversial and colourful Archibald 13th Laird of McNab (c.1781-1860).

In 1978 this log school house (McNab School Section No. 15, built in 1978) was moved from German Settlement (now called Clay Valley), an area settled primarily by German immigrants in the 1860's and 1870's. A plaque commemorates broadcaster Frank Ryan (born 1901) who attended this school.

A quick and easy boat launching point. It is a very direct and fast drive from all points. There are no services on-site (bait, fuel, etc), but if you have your own boat, trailer and want to launch and park for a small fee, this is your best choice. As well you can take a moment and visit the historic Waba cottages and gardens, and there is a modern bathroom facility (in the old general store building on the side during museum hours). If you require full services, you can launch from here and then stop by one of the resorts or marina (see the maps for directions), or simply launch from the resort or marina instead (fees apply).

There is also a municipal boat launch at the far South end of the Lake if you are traveling to White Lake from that direction and wish to launch there.

Garden Views:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jsktyrrell/index.htm


 


 

Upper Ottawa Valley by Clyde Kennedy, White Lake: The Later Years

The feudal reign was ended, but McNab sought revenge. He enlarged the dam by his sawmill at White Lake to prevent water reaching the grist mill constructed by John Paris on the Waba Creek, which drains the lake into the Madawaska River.

On the now peaceful shores of White lake, which derived its name from the white calcium carbonate, or marl, accumulated on some 700 acres of the lake bottom (Logan 1847), it is difficult to visualize the stirring events of 1825 - 1846.

 




 

(photo credit: Waba Museam & Gardens)

 

 

 

 

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