Museum & Visitor Centre

Prescott was founded in 1810 by Col. Edward Jessup, a United Empire Loyalist. Jessup was a citizen of the colony of New York and supported the British in the American War of Independence. Losing his land holdings and wealth in America, he was compensated by a land grant on the St. Lawrence River in the newly formed Augusta Township in 1784. Jessup made a town survey in 1810 laying out the street of a town site he named Prescott after Governor of Canada. This exhibit features land surveys, murals, photos, maps and a series of wooden carvings by local resident, Harold Rogerson, depicting activities of early settlers.

Prescott is known as the Fort Town, owing to Fort Wellington which dates to the founding of the town. First constructed to defend communications along the St. Lawrence River in the War of 1812. In 1837/38, the Fort was rebuilt to deal with the rebellions that broke out in Lower and Upper Canada. In November 1838, the garrison at Fort Wellington was called on to defend Prescott from the Patriot Hunters, before re-enforcements could arrive. In 1866/67 Fort Wellington was called on to defend the border against the Fenians, a group of Irish opposed to British rule. At the outbreak of WWI, Prescott became a centre for recruitment and training of soldiers.

Discover the history of the land prior to the settlement of the United Empire Loyalists in 1784. From the St. Lawrence Iroquoians to the Oswegatchie, learn about how the Indigenous Peoples lived in the area through the research conducted at the 1915 Roebuck archeological site, and the 1987 Maynard McKeown site.

From the era of the forwarding trade to modern day Prescott has been a hub for booming industry and commerce. From J.P. Wiser's major distilling corporation, the century long Plumb coal service, and the small mom and pop shops that lined Prescott's historic Riverwalk district.  Dive into the history of these two sectors and learn about how the past shaped the town into the bustling spot it is today. 

Over its history, Prescott has enjoyed having remarkable medical practitioners. Dr. William Scott was the first, and served the garrison at Fort Wellington in the War of 1812.Dr. Hamilton Dibble Jessup and Dr. William Brouse served both as doctors and politicians. While Dr. Charles McPherson became the oldest practicing doctor in Canada.

From its earliest days, Prescott has enjoyed a tradition of sports played by all ages and at levels, serving as home to athletes such as Leo Boivin and Ned Hanlan. As well as many community organizations such as the Rotary Club or the Prescott Citizens Band, who entertained, advocated and uplifted the community throughout Prescott's history. 

Prescott's has one of the largest storied history regarding transpiration due to its prime location between the major cities of Montreal and Toronto. Because of its prime waterfront location, the forwarding trade gave impetus to Prescott’s growth. The first railway linking Prescott to Ottawa was made available in 1854 and then the following year the linking of Montreal to Toronto. The old train station and rail yards at the waterfront in front of Fort Wellington were a busy place for freight handling between Canada and the US. In the 1960's motor vehicles became a main form of transport and in 1961 the ribbon was cut at Prescott which opened the 401 in the Prescott Area.