The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced Friday $600,000 in funding for the Ville de Magog’s redevelopment of Merry House, a historical residence located in the heart of Magog in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
Merry House was built in 1821 by Ralph Merry III, the first permanent settler in Magog. It was handed down through the generations of the Merry family, who played an active part in the development of the town.
Merry, considered the founder of Magog, was an American Revolutionary who immigrated to Lower Canada in 1799 and settled in nearby Bolton. He bought up all the neighboring lots, including the village of Magog, where he went on to act as its mayor, judge, and developer.
Merry House is the oldest residence in Magog’s urban area. It serves as a symbol of the settlement and development of the Eastern Townships at the beginning of the 19th century.
Vicki-May Hamm, Mayor of Magog, said, “Once it gets redesigned according to a completely innovative concept, Merry House will make it possible to share the proud heritage and history of the settlement pattern, economic development and cultural practices of Magog and the region.”
So far, the city has raised $3,330,500 from muncipal, regional, provincial, and federal sources and the private sector. The goal is to raise $3.5 million. The city purchased the home for $1.2 million in 2008.
Ralph Merry died in 1825 and is buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Magog. You can see a photo of the Merry House here.
