Macaulay Heritage Park is an attractive historic site featuring many points of interest: Macaulay House, built in 1830 and restored to the mid-1850s; the historic former Church of St. Mary Magdalene, now a museum; the old St. Mary Magdalene Parish Cemetery; Heritage Gardens and the Carriage House. Together they comprise beautiful parkland for visitors to enjoy.
Reverend William Macaulay was originally sent to this area as a missionary. In 1823 he organized the Parish of Hallowell, donating the land for the church and paying for much of its construction from his own personal wealth. Reverend Macaulay’s contributions to the community were not only spiritual, but civic—dispersing his property for the construction of both a school and a courthouse; the latter has been in use since 1831. Macaulay was also instrumental in the naming of the town of Picton.
The church building houses the permanent “A Path Forward” exhibit, which is co-curated by Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. It is an exhibit that explores Truth and Reconciliation in the County, and the shared past, present, and future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in PEC. Contemporary Indigenous works of art and story, interspersed with a non-static historical narrative, create a space for reflection, education and guidance on our path forward together.
