The NOTL Museum’s Heritage Garden Party returns on Friday, September 13, hosted by Brenda and Blair
McArthur on the grounds of one of Niagara’s prized historic homes, the McArthur Estate, 210 John
Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The McArthur’s ten-acre heritage estate has been witness to much of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s early
history, from 1796, when it was part of a 160-acre land grant to the Hon. Peter Russell, a member of
Governor Simcoe’s Legislative Council, to being the family home of one of Niagara’s best loved artists,
Trisha Romance, from 1985 to 2016.
Today, under the care of its current owners, the McArthurs, the home is regularly included in
community open houses and events, benefitting a variety of local charities. The Heritage Garden Party
is one such event, a fundraiser for the NOTL Museum’s Capital Campaign. In true historic style, the event
is a return to the romance and nostalgia that characterized this magnificent home during the early 20 th
century, complete with croquet, sparkling wines, (courtesy of Konzelmann Winery), and elegant
savouries and sweets, (courtesy of Niagara’s Finest Hotels).
Many of Niagara’s colourful characters have graced the grounds of the McArthur Estate, with a few
appearing this year at the Garden Party. Watch for the savvy entrepreneur and co-founder of the
Niagara Harbour and Dock Company, Capt. Robert Melville. It was Melville who in 1830 first built the
nucleus of the present home, which he named Brunswick Place. But when Melville died in 1849, it
precipitated the downfall of the Dock Company, and with that, the growing fortunes of the town
crashed too. Also watch out for Robert G. Dickson, the grandson of the Hon. William Dickson who first
purchased the property in 1798. The younger Dickson purchased Brunswick Place in 1881, and expanded
and renamed it Pinehurst, reputedly in honour of the number of pine trees on the property. Known as a
major ‘player’ in Niagara’s social and golf scene, he was also one of the first officers of the Niagara Golf
Club. But along the way he managed to squander the family fortune and subsequently lost the property.
However, Pinehurst lived on, and became a summer home for several wealthy American families, all of
whom were part what is known as the “Friendly American Invasion”. During the early 19 th century,
Niagara blossomed as a summer resort, and during the Letchworth’s era, (1928 – 1961), the home
was well-known for legendary and lavish parties, with many locals still remembering those days.
Mrs. Letchworth was a lover of all things equestrian, and you can watch for her at the Garden Party too.
The Heritage Garden Party is a rain or shine event, Friday September 13, 3 -5pm.
For tickets, go to: www.notlmuseum.ca Tickets: $125. (Book early, limited availability.)
Hats and riding crops are encouraged.