Welcome to Watson’s Mill
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 (housing WMMI’s offices and the Used Book Store). The site is run by the not-for-profit Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc.
Vision
Dickinson Square is a heritage destination and vibrant community hub, celebrating and preserving Manotick’s roots in agriculture and industry.
Mission
To preserve and provide a thriving and inclusive museum space where people come together through innovative and meaningful educational experiences, events, and programming centered on the history of Dickinson Square.
Values
As an organization, we value:
- Authenticity – upholding authenticity and best practices in preserving and conserving the collection, heritage buildings, and the stories we tell.
- Visitor Experience – offering high quality, consistent visitor experiences that are engaging and resonate with a variety of audiences.
- Open and Inclusive Environments – a genuine respect for visitors to our site, our place in the community, our volunteers, partners, and staff members. We strive to foster an open and inclusive environment where all feel welcome.
- Community Partnerships – strong relationships with our community, and a commitment to continuously seek out new opportunities for collaboration.
