McFarland House Museum
15927 Niagara Parkway L0S 1J0 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada

Today at McFarland House we are hosting our last private function of the year--a lovely Jane Austen themed bridal shower! This means that unfortunately we are not open for our regular lunch, Tea, and tours. But we still have one Fall weekend left! Next weekend we are open for our regular hours of 12:00 to 5:00, with our last tour and walk-in seating at 4:15. Walk-ins are always welcome, though it looks like it will be a wonderful busy weekend and a reservation is always recommended for our cozy conservatory tea room. Please give us a call anytime and we'd be happy to assist you with information and reservations! We can always be reached at 905-468-3322 or "[email protected]".

Hear ye! Hear ye! We'd like to let everyone know that this weekend we are *only open TODAY* for our regular lunch, Tea, and tours as tomorrow we will be closed for our last private bridal shower of the year. It looks like it will be a busy day! Walks-ins are always welcome, but reservations are strongly recommended. Give us a call and come join us for a cuppa if you like! The weather may be dreary today, but it's always cozy inside at McFarland House. We'll have hot tea and scones waiting for you!

This is a double-themed Thursday! For not only is it #ThrowbackThursday... it's also #TeapotThursday! (Unfortunately this glorious day may only happen once in awhile as we only have so many antique teapots in our permanent collection.) This beautiful piece may just be the oldest teapot at McFarland House. Dating from 1790-1820, it is so old that is has no maker's mark on its base and is quite beautifully hand painted in various layers. There are only a couple precious teacups remaining of this original set. If you ever see this pattern while you're out antiquing or thrifting, please let us know!

For a quick #ThrowbackThursday on this chilly, cozy autumn's eve, let's take a look back at how far we've come! This is what the Tea Room Patio used to look like in the Fall of 2010. As you can see, there was a reason we were only able to be open until Labour Day! But now that we have our lovely new conservatory (completely with climate control) we still have three weekends of wonderful tea service to offer to our guests! Every year we are now open seven days a week from Mother's Day through Labour Day, and then weekends from Labour Day throughout the fall season right up until Halloween before we move into our Holiday events in December. Our full hours of operation for the year can always be found on our webpage: www.mcfarlandhouse.com and you can always reach us at the House at 905-468-3322 for more information!

It's #ThrowbackThursday and here's a small peek at a rare photo from 1920--an aerial shot taken by Bishop-Barker Aeroplanes Limited from Toronto. East-West Line is the major road running vertically which meets up with the Niagara Parkway running horizontally across the shot. The other pathway up along the top of the picture is the shoreline of the Niagara River. And if you look very closely you can see McFarland House itself in the upper right quadrant of the photo. The pr...operty is almost unrecognizable it's changed so much! Just like we talk about on our tours, the McFarland lands used to be comprised of small-scale agricultural enterprises. Because of this you can see a few small orchard plots where the wide open spaces and parking lots that we are familiar with today now stand. There is no picnic pavillion and no neverending paved recreational path, but long-gone outbuildings and lost pathways through this homestead can be seen in this valuable photo. See more

Here's an intriguing #ThrowbackThursday post about a beautiful ledger we have in our collection. Belonging to a later generation of McFarlands who still lived in the home and were involved in a variety of wholesale trade in the 1830s, this leather-bound tome has a page dedicated to each customer's purchases. The ledger details everyone's accounts from 1833 to 1835, and if you look closely you can see purchases ranging from construction supplies, to pantry items, to farming supplies. Many clients were even allowed to keep a running tab with the McFarland family, a practice commonly found in the nineteenth century. You should come on a tour and see this lovely antique for yourself!

It's a #McFarlandMonday and now that it's officially Fall we wanted to make sure everyone knows that we're still open on weekends until the end of October before we start to prepare for our Christmas events. Our hours and wonderful menu are still exactly the same as in the summertime--except now we'll have homemade pumpkin spice treats, mulled cider, and rich old fashioned hot chocolate on the go! You can still come and join us for lunch, Tea, and tours every Saturday and Sunday until October 30th from 12:00 to 5:00, with our last tour and last walk-in seating at 4:15. (The tea room has been quite busy lately, so reservations are always welcome.) Hopefully we'll see you soon!

It's #ThrowbackThursday time again! We took a wee break to transition from our summer season to our fall operations, but we're back! Today's #TBT post is brought to you by the years 1798-1799 when McFarland House was first being constructed. These photos may be the first ever taken of *the attic* in the original wing of our home. We had the rare chance to explore the space while our air conditioning was being repaired, and we're very pleased to report that the whole area ...is in exceptionally preserved condition. Of particularly interesting note, when the first Niagara Parks curator and his family lived on-site in the 1875 servants' quarters, they were told that they could not add a television antenna to the roof of the building because it obviously was not historically accurate. So instead they hid it up here in the attic! It's hard to gauge from the photos, but this is a huge antenna that measures approximately 6 feet long by 3-4 feet wide. It's an antique itself! See more

Squeaking in this #ThrowbackThursday, we wanted to feature a few of the meticulously researched test patches, or orbs, that are on display as part of the painted surfaces at McFarland House. These areas were uncovered over the winter of 2000-2001 and have allowed us to accurately reconstruct what each of the rooms in our historic site should actually look like. As you can see, many areas of the House have been painted a wide range of colours over the years since the propert...y was finished construction in 1800. And although some of the finishes that you'll currently see on display may seem surprising, like our bright teal wooden floors, these colours are accurate to how Mr. John McFarland first had his house painted. There is a great deal of historic importance to these colours, as many would have been extremely expensive in the early nineteenth century! So along with the scope of the home itself, Mr. McFarland made sure to outfit his fine abode with every possible trapping that would show his worldliness and wealth. See more

Come join us for this fabulous upside down peach #cake! This light cake brims with golden caramelized peaches! It really can't be beat. Perfect for celebrating #peach season in #Niagara with a fine cup of #tea.

It's #ThrowbackThursday again already! Today we're featuring the master bedroom upstairs at McFarland House. It looked a little bit different in 1959 when the property was first opened to the public than it does today. At that time the world of heritage restoration had very different ideas of what was appropriate for historic properties, and curators of the period didn't have some of the research methods available to them that we can take advantage of now. Over time much work has gone into sourcing more accurate wallpaper and paint that better reflects what this room actually looked like in 1800 when the house was finished construction. There are some gorgeous antiques in this room that you should come and check out on our daily tours!

Today for #ThrowbackThursday we're featuring the old servants' staircase that used to exist here at McFarland House. This curved staircase ran between the servants' quarters upstairs (now the staff room) and the customer lobby. Unfortunately though, because this lovely set of stairs curved around and exited at the exact same spot where our guests walk out into the conservatory (and before that our outdoor patio), it was best to reorient them so that we now have a safe, regular, straight staircase for our staff--and also for our visitors when we use this exit point during the Holiday House Tour each year. The old staircase was originally built in 1875, and while very charming the joke was that you hadn't officially become part of the staff until you'd taken a fall down its tiny pie-wedge shaped stairs at the very bottom.

Today, on this gorgeous summer's day, we are so pleased to be hosting a wonderful 90th birthday party for a very special someone! Unfortunately this means we are closed for regular customers, but we will be open for our normal hours of 12:00 to 5:00, with our last walk-in seating and last tour at 4:15 tomorrow as per usual. We hope everyone enjoys this amazing day!

This week for #ThrowbackThursday we've been experimenting with authentic historic recipes from a late 18th century cookbook! We made a layered apple and pear cake titled "A Great Cake" and a buttermilk soda bread. Delicious! Sometimes the oldest recipes can still hold up and surprise you with their continuing versatility.

For today's #TeaTuesday we are highlighting one of our most popular Rooibos teas, Provence. Named after the famed French Mediterranean region of Provence, this blend contains a wonderful selection of fruit and flowers that harken back to the lush gardens of its namesake. Containing lavender, rose petals, rosehips, as well as dried red and black currants, blueberries and raisins. Provence is a relaxing blend of fruit and floral, perfect for a relaxing afternoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Well, McFarland House is now closed for the day, but that doesn't mean that our work is done! Our wonderful staff are now heading down to Old Fort Erie to help with the annual Siege of Fort Erie! This is Canada's largest annual reenactment event where hundreds of soldiers reenact one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812--the British night assault of August 13th, 1814 when the Crown's forces attempted to retake their fort from the Americans. Tonight's battle at 8:00 is free to view! Afterwards you can join in the melee and see what the fort was like in the aftermath of this painful, failed assault. Evening lantern tours of the Fort begin at 9:00; tickets can be purchased in the Fort Welcome Centre. #siegeofforterie

On this #ThrowbackThursday we'd like to show you these amazing mid-nineteenth century globes at McFarland House that live in the gentleman's study. These would have been incredibly expensive to purchase during that time period, and often would have been on display to show both their owner's wealth and worldly knowledge. The first globe is a single piece representing the earth, while the second antique is actually a working model of how the earth rotates around the sun. Pap...er globes like this, in such good condition, are becoming increasingly rare so we try to take very good care of them here! From the tiny printing on these globes you can see that in North America they are marked "British America" across what we know now as Canada, "Canada" in the space occupied by southern Ontario and southern Quebec, and "United States" in the geographic region of New England, where the original 13 colonies were formed. Because of these notations we are dating these globes to roughly 1845-65 since they were clearly printed after the 1840/41 Act of Union which unified Upper and Lower Canada, but before Confederation in 1867. We offer tours of the historic original wing of McFarland House every day so that you can come and visit these beautiful antiques! See more

This weekend we are featuring heavenly peach pie! Made from scratch in our kitchen with famous local peaches. Come in today for this classic Niagara specialty, while it lasts! #feature #dessert #pie #niagarapeach #butterpastry

For this #ThrowbackThursday post it's incredible to look back and see the immense change that's happened to the parlour at McFarland House. The first photo here was taken circa 1954, right before work began to restore the property. As you can see the windows of the building were completely boarded up, and most rooms in the house had been outfitted for heating by wood stoves by the latter nineteenth century (note the round cut-out in the wall above the fireplace). Between 1...954 and 1959 the Niagara Parks Commission executed a tremendous amount of work to bring the House back to its original state, and the next photo shows what the parlour looked like after the property was opened to the public in May of 1959. Finally, this is what the parlour looks like today now that the proper, original colours used in the home have been researched and reproduced over the winter of 1999-2000. This would have been a very impressive space to visit if you were coming for Tea in the early 1800s! See more

As well as being an historic home and a tearoom with a lunch menu, McFarland House is also a pokéstop and gym! Feel free to explore the park and hunt for pokémon on our grounds. During the intense heat wave, take a break from battling and come inside for some cool drinks and treats. #pokémongo #pokémon #mcfarlandhouse #tea #fundayfriday

For today's #ThrowbackThursday we want to feature a really interesting part of our wonderful old McFarland House. To the best of our knowledge, this home is still using its original 1800 deadbolt and locking mechanism! A large piece such as this, requiring the tools and craftsmanship of a skilled locksmith, would have been very expensive in the early nineteenth century. This is one of countless features of our manor home that attest to its original owners' wealth and status in the community of Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). You should come on our historic tour and see this beautiful piece for yourself!

On this #ThrowbackThursday we're celebrating the renewal of our tea room which took place over 2011, in honour of the coming Bicentennial of the War of 1812. In these photos you can see how small our old, little patio space was, and what a great feat it was to build the gorgeous glass conservatory that we can enjoy today!

Today, on this gorgeous summer's July day, we are so pleased to be hosting a beautiful bridal shower! Unfortunately this means we are closed for regular customers, but we will be open for our normal hours of 12:00 to 5:00, with our last walk-in seating and last tour at 4:15 tomorrow as per usual. We hope everyone enjoys this amazing day!

Where does the time go? It's #ThrowbackThursday again! Today for something completely different we want to showcase some of our beautiful antiques in the permanent collection here at McFarland House. A lot of visitors are fascinated by all the antique china that we have. One of our older sets is this beautiful, very early Spode china dating to between 1835 and 1850 (based on the history that we can trace from the maker's mark). The pattern is called "Felspar," and while we don't have an entire service left, the pieces that do remain are in incredible condition--including some gorgeous serving pieces. You should come and see them for yourself!

It's #ThrowbackThursday again, and today we have a bit of a sad tale to tell. During the restoration period, between approximately 1942 and 1954, while the Niagara Parks was sourcing funding and plans for McFarland House, unfortunately the property was vandalized and it seems that squatters may even have been temporarily living in the House. Here is one view of the main staircase before the Parks restored the home circa 1954, and a final modern view of what it now looks like today.

Whether cha, çai or chai, most can agree that this hot drink can provide comfort and vitality. Malty notes of black tea from the prized Assam Valley of India are fortified by specially selected spices, highlighted by cardamom and ginger. Brewed traditionally with hot milk and served with brown sugar, let yourself be lulled into an aromatic reverie #Chai #Tea #TeaTuesday

It's #ThrowbackThursday again, and before we start exploring the inside of the House in past eras, we want to show you a few more views of what the outside looked like in the 1940s and 1950s before it was restored by the Niagara Parks Commission. The first photo here was taken around 1940-42, just after the Parks Commission took over the property. It's no small fact to say that this home, like so many across Ontario, had truly turned into the run-down pioneer house at the e...dge of town. The final direct descendant of the McFarlands who was living here in the early twentieth century had never installed plumbing, electricity, or phone lines in the building, even though many of his neighbours had. Interestingly enough, over the next dozen or so years the House was even completely boarded up while the Parks Commission sought funding and plans for the McFarland property. The next two shots were taken in 1954 during that time. The final picture here was taken shortly after this historic home was reopened in 1959, and after it had been properly restored to its original appearance from the year 1800. See more

On this Summer Solstice, try Bella Coola. This vivid pink tisane is a naturally caffeine free fruit and herb blend, with apple, pineapple, orange, rosehips, hibiscus and natural flavours. Packed with Vitamin C, this exotic tea is as refreshing on the longest day of the year as any other. Enjoy iced, hot, or even as a popsicle! #TeaTuesday #SummerSolstice

This is our second official #ThrowbackThursday, and we're going to jump forward in time to the 1940s and 1950s. It's a little known fact, but there's only been two owners of McFarland House: the family and their direct descendants, and the Niagara Parks Commission. Over the early twentieth century the home fell quite into disrepair, and the Parks Commission went to great lengths to restore it to its original early nineteenth century appearance and former glory as one of the most promiment manor homes of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the early 1800s. The first two photos here were taken in 1954 before extensive restoration work was accomplished on the property before it was reopened as a historic home in 1959. The third photo was taken in the summer of 1959 soon after welcoming guests into this fine House once again.

This #TeaTuesday we are featuring Vienna Opera Ball. This drink is a smooth blend of black and green tea, with jasmine petals. The tea is subtle and refined, harkening back to the golden age of Vienna's waltz king, Johann Strauss, and its gentle misty flavour recalls the rich musical heritage of this great European city. Next time you visit, give Vienna Opera Ball a try and enjoy the smooth round flavour of the flowing misty Danube.

#ThrowbackThursday On Thursdays we'll be posting archival photos and information about the antiques in our collection here at McFarland House. There's so many wonderful things to learn about this amazing historic property. For this first "Throwback Thursday" we're posting one of the oldest photos we can find of the House, a picture taken circa 1910.

Would you believe it??? Another lucky group has booked McFarland House for a private function today! While unfortunately we are not open for regular customers today, we look forward to welcoming you back for normal operating hours again tomorrow. We will see you then!

On this lovely early June afternoon, McFarland House is happily hosting a Bridal shower. We are looking forward to taking part in this joyous day! Today, we will be closed to the general public but will be open our regular hours again tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll see you then!

Feature Friday: Celebrate rhubarb season with this luscious streusel topped cake drizzled with a glossy rhubarb sauce.

Thank you to all our customers who made this holiday weekend such a huge success. We really appreciate you all and want to wish everyone a belated Happy Victoria Day!

On this crisp sunny day, McFarland House is happily hosting a Bridal shower. We are looking forward to taking part in this joyous day. Today, we will be closed to the general public but will be open our regular hours again tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll see you then!