Mather-Walls Historical Tea House

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Mather-Walls Historical Tea House

Closed for the season! Follow for event updates. Email for private event bookings.

05/07/2026

We are hiring summer employees. More details to follow soon!

03/26/2026

Take a closer look Thursday…

If you’ve ever visited, you may have noticed these lightbulbs hanging from long cords.

Electricity was installed when the Walls family lived in the house, most likely in the 1910s–1920s. These long cords were chosen for utility. They allowed the lights to be turned on and off easily from bed.

Today, we would expect to see a lampshade. But when electricity was still new and uncommon, people often left bulbs uncovered. It was a way to show they could afford electricity.

03/17/2026

The Lake of the Woods Historical Society which operates the Mather-Walls Historical House is looking for members-at-large to join our board of directors.

As a voting member of the board of directors you will contribute to governance, strategic direction, and long-term sustainability of the beautiful Mather-Walls House.
This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about heritage preservation, community engagement, and cultural education.

Key Responsibilities:
Attend and actively participate in regular board meetings (typically monthly).

Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and decision-making.

Support the events and programs at the Mather-Walls Historical House.

Serve on committees or working groups as needed (e.g., fundraising, programming/events, advertising, finances, summer student supervision).

Qualifications & Skills:
Interest in local history, heritage preservation, or museum work.

Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Ability to think strategically and contribute to group decision-making.

Benefits of Serving:
Opportunity to help preserve and promote local history.

Gain governance and leadership experience.

Build connections within the community.

02/23/2026

Meet the Mathers Monday!
John Mather’s most lasting legacy is probably the Lake of the Woods Milling Company Limited.

The company incorporated in 1887 with John Mather as the vice-president. The company operated a network of grain elevators in western Canada, with an administration building in Winnipeg, and headquarters in Montreal. John Mather supervised the construction of the company’s first flour mill in Keewatin from 1887-1888. It was at this mill that Five Roses Flour was produced. At the height of the milling company’s production it was the largest flour mill in the commonwealth.

But why was the largest flour mill in Canada located in Keewatin? It was the perfect location! The railroad meant that grain could be brought from western Canada, processed in Keewatin, and shipped to eastern Canada, and from there even beyond Canada. And all the water from the surrounding lakes and rivers meant cheap hydro to power the mills.

Over the years the company’s building grew from only Mill A, to a bag factory and barrel factory, to Mill C, and a Laboratory/Bakery Building.

In the 1890s John Mather returned to Ottawa where he died in 1907.

Photo source: 1897, William Notman, McCord Museum

02/16/2026

Meet the Mathers Monday!

A while ago we wrote a post about John Mather, who although never lived at the Mather-Walls House was responsible for building the house, and indeed all of Keewatin.

In 1884, after transferring the management of the Keewatin Lumbering and Manufacturing Company Limited to his sons, John Mather pursued other business ventures in the area.

One of these ventures was with the lumber-oriented Bank of Ottawa. John Mather became a director in 1879, and over the years steadily became more involved with the branches in Keewatin and Winnipeg.

John Mather was also heavily immersed with the Winnipeg Free Press. From 1887 he helped to managed the Free Press with Clifford Sifton. By 1902 John Mather held almost all the shares in the newspaper.

Photo taken in 1907 by William Topley in Ottawa.
Photo source: Library and Archives Canada/3261177

02/12/2026

Take a closer look Thursday!

This pine table was handmade by John Walls.

The story goes that this was his pay table, which he placed in the corner window of his bedroom. John would bring home the pay for all the mill employees and process it at this desk. He paid his daughter, Jean, 10 cents to seal the pay envelopes.

02/04/2026

Welcome the Walls Wednesday!

Have you ever wondered why the Mather-Walls Historical House is called that? It’s named after the two families who owned the house - the Mather and the Walls families. The Walls started renting the house around 1903 and in 1906 John Walls bought it.

John Walls was born in New Brunswick in 1847. He moved to Keewatin to work at the Mather’s lumber mill in 1883. Over time he was promoted at the mill and became the general manager.
John loved to curl and play violin while his two daughters accompanied him on the piano.

John Walls died in 1934 and is buried at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery in Kenora.
The local newspaper wrote in his obituary, "John Walls, one of the oldest and best loved citizens of Keewatin is called to rest."

01/08/2026

Take a closer look Thursday!

If you've ever visited the Mather-Walls House you will have seen this beautiful wallpaper in the double parlour and the vestibule.
But did you know this is original wallpaper! It's stood the test of time because the double parlour was historically only used for special events and not everyday living. Based on the golden colour palate and the motifs, such as foliated scrolls, it dates from the 1890-1900s.

Does anyone have any idea what types of flowers are represented?

12/08/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to the Holiday Market on the weekend and supported these locals business!

We were blown away by the talent of these vendors!

Vendors:
Antonio Caruso
The Challenge Club
Trish and Mary Edie
Averythingearrings
Enjoy By Andrea Nicole
Moon and Bird Jewlery
Rustic Roots Designs
The Crookie Company
Mish's Knits
Shelby Wilcott Designs

12/06/2025

Get ready to shop tomorrow, December 6th from 12-4pm!

We have 12 fantastic vendors with products ranging from knit and crochet goods, jewelry, Christmas decorations, desserts and treats, art and photography, ribbon skirts...

Entrance is free and there will be raffle prizes!

12/05/2025

Vendor Spotlight!

Moon & Bird is a jewelry company founded in 2021, based in Winnipeg. They design jewelry that empowers personal growth through the art of storytelling.

Address

1116 Ottawa Street
Keewatin, ON
P0X1C0

Telephone

18075472870

Website

https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/index.php/properties/mather-walls-house

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