Nestled in the heart of Manotick Village, Dickinson Square shares a remarkable past rooted in industrial ingenuity and the foundation of our community. Built in 1860 along the shores of the Rideau River, Watson’s Mill remains active as a working water powered flour mill. Dickinson House, built in 1867, would become the home of all the Mill’s owners and remains open to the public as a heritage house museum.
Dickinson Square is the historical centre of Manotick and is comprised of Watson’s Mill, Dickinson House and the Carriage Shed. The site is run by the not-for-profit Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc.
Hours & Info
Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House
| OPEN HOURS | ||
|---|---|---|
| October 9 – December 31 | Special Events Only | |
| January 2024 – April 2024 | Closed |
Used Book Store
| OPEN HOURS | | |
|---|---|---|
| November 3 – December 3 | Friday – Sunday | 10am – 4pm |
| December 4 – April 2024 | Closed |
Donations accepted during Book Store Open hours. Please keep donations to 5 bags/boxes or less. Do not leave books in front of any doorways, it is a safety hazard.
The Used Book Store does not buy used books.
Please note that the Used Book Store does not take specific book requests, nor do we check inventory over the telephone or email.
OFFICE of Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc.
Watson’s Mill, Dickinson House and the Used Book Store are operated by the not-for-profit Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc.
Our Office can be found on the 2nd floor of the Carriage Shed.
5524 Dickinson Street, Manotick, ON
| OFFICE HOURS | | |
|---|---|---|
| January – April | By Appointment | |
| May – October | Monday – Friday | 10am – 4pm |
| November – December | By Appointment |
accessibility & site conditions
Our site is comprised of three distinct heritage buildings. Due to the nature of each space, they each have certain limitations to be aware of. Please review the information below to ensure you are familiar with our site conditions and accessibility limitations.
Watson’s Mill
Only the main floor of Watson’s Mill is accessible. The front entrance is large enough to accommodate a mobility device. However, there are no automatic doors and floors throughout the building are uneven and rough. The upper and lower floors of the building are only accessible via staircases, some of which are steep and/or narrow. We highly recommend holding onto all railings while navigating staircases in the Mill.
Watson’s Mill is not temperature controlled, so the interior of the building can be quite hot or quite cold depending on the time of year. The basement level is exposed to the Rideau River and is always very damp. There is no indoor plumbing or washroom facilities at the Mill. Bottled water is available for purchase on the main floor through our giftshop. There are benches directly outside of the Mill that visitors are welcome to make use of, and several chairs/benches placed along the first and second floors.
Generally, Watson’s Mill is a quiet, peaceful space. However, during milling demonstrations the original machinery is activated, and the building comes alive. This machinery is noisy and causes considerable vibrations throughout the building. Demonstrations generally take place between 1 and 3 pm each Sunday from May to October. Persons with hearing or sensory sensitivities may want to explore our other buildings during milling demonstrations.
Dickinson House
Only the main floor of Dickinson House is accessible via a ramp located at the back of the building. However, entryways and interior doorways are quite narrow and may not accommodate all mobility devices. The second and third floors of Dickinson House are only accessible via stairs.
Generally, Dickinson House is a quiet, peaceful space.
Dickinson House is temperature controlled, with both air conditioning and heating throughout the building. There are no public washroom facilities within Dickinson House. There is a seating area in the lobby where visitors are welcome to take a rest. There are also several picnic tables and a few chairs on the lawn in front of the house.
Carriage shed
The Carriage Shed houses the administrative office, the Used Book Store, and Washroom Facilities. The Book Store and Office are both temperature-controlled spaces.
Please note that the Carriage Shed building is not accessible. Although there is wooden ramp to enter the building, there are no automatic doors and there are several lips/ledges and uneven flooring to manoeuvre.
Washrooms and the Used Book Store are located on the main floor. There are two stalls that are large enough to accommodate mobility devices, but the washrooms are not fully accessible. We highly recommend assistance to ensure safe access and use of the washroom facilities.
The Administrative Office for Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. is located on the second floor, and only accessible via stairs.
Admissions
General Admission
| Weekends (Saturday & Sunday) | Admission by Donation *Suggested Donation $2.00 | Ages 12+ Under 12 are Free |
| Weekdays (Monday – Friday) | FREE | All Ages |
Group Tours (10 or more People)
Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. provides structured visits and tours for groups of 10 or more people.
Groups of 10 or more are required to make an advanced reservation. Groups of 10 or more people who do not make advanced reservations may not be accommodated with a guided tour.
| Group Tour Cost (per person) | |
|---|---|
| Watson’s Mill | $2.00 |
| Dickinson House | $2.00 |
| Dickinson Square (Watson’s Mill & Dickinson House) | $4.00 |
Booking Programs
Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. offers a range of customizable tours and programs… we’ll even come to you!
To learn more about a programming options please visit our Programs page.
To discuss your options and make a booking contact:
Elaine Eagen
Programming & Visitor Experience Mana
Contact
WATSON’S MILL OFFICE
613-692-6455
info@watsonsmill.com
PO Box 145
Manotick, ON
K4M 1A2
Recognition of Territory
Watson’s Mill, Dickinson House, and the Carriage Shed are built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinabeterritory.
The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land.
Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. honours the peoples and land of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation.
Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.