by Donna Ross MDHS Lecture Series Coordinator
The Merrickville and District Historical Society’s ever-popular Lecture Series starts up again after the winter break. Please join us on Tuesday, February 27th at 7 pm at the Merrickville Legion for Philip Ling’s presentation, “The Maitland Tower: An Odyssey of Intrigue from War to Oasis”. Hear stories and see images of the Maitland Tower, an iconic landmark east of Brockville on the St. Lawrence River, from its time as a French shipbuilding fort in the 1750s, to life as a large flour mill then notorious bootlegging distillery in the 1800s, its rebirth in the 1900s with horses that were flown to international competitions, and home to a mysterious business that attracted a German Spy in the Second World War. It has a fascinating and storied past!
Philip will also give us a glimpse into what the future could hold for the Maitland Tower and the 13 acres it sits upon.
The presenter, Philip Ling, is an electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and nature bug. Learn how a 2,200 km cycle led him to purchase the Tower! In short, he rescued this piece of history from demolition by neglect and/or a potential developer’s bulldozer!
We look forward to seeing you on February 27th for an evening of historic tales and intrigue and to meet the man who saved the Tower. We hope you will enjoy the lecture as well as a sweet treat, compliments of Violets on Main Bakery!
