Reverend James Smith arrived from Scotland in 1830 to become the Presbyterian minister for the entire Stewiacke valley. From 1832 to 1833 he had this stately home, known as “Strathlorne”, built where he resided until his death in 1871. His son, Robert Smith was a doctor and inherited the property where he practiced for the next 6 years. From 1877 to 1895 a local family rented the house. Then in 1895 the Johnson family purchased the property and used it as a hotel. Known as the “Strathlorne Hotel”, it was operated for the next 10 years until it was sold to Bob Fulton who continued to operate it as a hotel into the mid 1930s when he gave it up and sold it to his daughter who lived here until 1965. The present owner purchased the property in 1965 and has lived here and enjoyed the property ever since. The property was registered as a Provincial Heritage Property in 1993.

It sits on 11 acres in Upper Stewiacke just 12 minutes to Brookfield, about 25 minutes to Truro and less than 1 hour to the city. The house is positioned way back off the road down a long lane with open land on the right, a huge, deep pond on the left and forest. The present owner has a concrete foundation constructed under the entire house and has continued to upgrade and maintain the house in its original condition over the past 47 years. It offers over 2,800 square feet of very unique and original living space.

The front door opens to a wonderful inner foyer. This foyer opens to another foyer which includes the stairs to the second level. To the right is the study. On the left is a living room. Behind the study is a library with three walls of bookcases. Opposite the study is a huge keeping room with original bake oven. The kitchen wing comes off this room and offers two walls of shelving and built-in appliances. Behind the kitchen is a large storage room with a door to the gardens. The last room on this floor is a mudroom entry. On the second floor there is a spacious foyer with 4 large bedrooms, one in each corner and a bathroom. The two front bedrooms each have alcoves for beds and each has a large “original” walk-in closet. Stairs from this level lead to a full attic ideal for storage. All the floors are wood. Each room has a working fireplace; there are 8 fireplaces in all. Many of the ceilings and walls are covered in wood, some single width boards up to 30 inches wide. Six over six windows, unique built-in cabinets, original trim details and period architecture, all add to the beauty of this home.

It has a modern electrical system, newly shingled roof, oil fired warm-air heating system, drilled well and septic. There’s an older barn which requires a lot of work, but has potential.

The property includes beautiful gardens surrounding the house, mature trees and long views. This is a rare opportunity to own a heritage property.