Celebrating over 400 Years

In 1610, under the direction of the Governor of Acadia, Baron Jean de Poutrincourt, a small band of pioneers began the arduous task of transforming the Port-Royal trading post into a permanent agricultural settlement. While the earliest chapters of the Seigneurial estate remain shrouded in the mist of the 17th century, the lineage of the land is undeniable. By 1688, Seigneur Alexandre Le Borgne de Belleisle had established a formal manor along this scenic bend of the Annapolis River—a private domain that served as the seat of aristocratic life in the region for decades.

As the centuries turned, the Seigneurial manor eventually gave way to the grander architectural ambitions of the Georgian era. The villa we see today was commissioned circa 1817 by James Robertson, a prosperous merchant who amassed a fortune during the naval activity of the War of 1812. However, the shifting economic tides of the early 19th century—specifically the Panic of 1837—forced Robertson to relinquish the estate. It was subsequently acquired by Elizabeth Bailey, who transformed the residence into the town’s premier accommodation, hosting the region’s most distinguished visitors for over half a century.

Like many great historic houses, the property faced a period of quiet decline in the early 20th century. By 1910, the villa had been divided into tenements and fallen into a state of near-dereliction. It remained in this precarious state until 1942, when it was rescued by Suzanne Haliburton. Her stewardship began a new era of preservation, ensuring that the home was maintained with respect.

The villa is exceptionally rare in its architectural integrity; unlike many of its contemporaries, no owner has ever significantly altered the core layout or added modern wings. The most notable update occurred around the year 2000, when ensuite bathrooms were discreetly integrated into each of the four principal bedrooms, seamlessly blending modern comfort with the home’s historic proportions.

Today, the residence is curated with a philosophy that honours both the Regency and Federal eras. The interior serves as a living gallery, furnished with a significant collection of original antiques and fine art dating from the early 1600s through the 1800s. This collection mirrors the dual history of the estate: reflecting both its origins as a Seigneurial sanctuary and its evolution into a premier Georgian villa.

Welcome to a house that does not merely remember the past, but lives within it.