Goulbourn Museum
Stittsville, Ont.
October 11, 2025
STORY COMING SOON!
History
Nestled in the heart of Stittsville, Ontario, the Goulbourn Museum preserves the stories of one of the oldest military settlements in the region. Originally part of the Goulbourn Township, this charming museum showcases the life, struggles, and resilience of early settlers who built their community from the ground up.
The building was built in 1872 and served as the second Township Hall. The original Township Hall was a log structure (located on another property). This original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1872. The new structure was built beside the new St. Thomas Anglican Church, which was constructed in 1866. The land was previously owned by Thomas McCaffery. McCaffery was a local Blacksmith and Reeve (1860-61). Tragedy would hit the McCaffery family in 1882 when his son, Robert, was murdered.
Robert McCaffrey died on August 26, 1882.The murder was reported as a shooting, as his body was found in the woods near his home. One account suggests that McCaffrey was killed by a woman named Maria Spearman, in a context described as a love triangle and an “unwed pregnancy”. She went to trial only weeks later, on September 9, 1882, and was ultimately acquitted. Yet, the mystery surrounding what truly happened that night has never fully faded. The story retains some uncertainties: while McCaffrey’s death is documented, details about the exact motive, thorough investigation, or final legal outcome are less clearly reported in the sources. A sign has been installed at the scene of the murder, marking its historical significance in the community. The case stands out in the Township’s history because rural homicides in the late 19th century were comparatively rare and left a strong imprint on local memory (particularly given the personal drama suggested in this case).
The building was built in 1872 and served as the second Township Hall. The original Township Hall was a log structure (located on another property). This original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1872. The new structure was built beside the new St. Thomas Anglican Church, which was constructed in 1866. The land was previously owned by Thomas McCaffery. McCaffery was a local Blacksmith and Reeve (1860-61). Tragedy would hit the McCaffery family in 1882 when his son, Robert, was murdered.
Robert McCaffrey died on August 26, 1882.The murder was reported as a shooting, as his body was found in the woods near his home. One account suggests that McCaffrey was killed by a woman named Maria Spearman, in a context described as a love triangle and an “unwed pregnancy”. She went to trial only weeks later, on September 9, 1882, and was ultimately acquitted. Yet, the mystery surrounding what truly happened that night has never fully faded. The story retains some uncertainties: while McCaffrey’s death is documented, details about the exact motive, thorough investigation, or final legal outcome are less clearly reported in the sources. A sign has been installed at the scene of the murder, marking its historical significance in the community. The case stands out in the Township’s history because rural homicides in the late 19th century were comparatively rare and left a strong imprint on local memory (particularly given the personal drama suggested in this case).
Robert McCaffery's Gravestone
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The Plaque that is posted where Robert McCaffery was murdered.
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This was not the only tragedy that this township would see. Twelve years early, the township would suffer a devastating blow. In the summer of 1870, the region of western Carleton County — including today’s Goulbourn Township and the village of Stittsville — was gripped by an intense drought. A dry spell of approximately three and a half months left the forests, farms, and brush unusually flammable. At the same time, human activity was increasing: construction of the Canada Central Railway (later part of the rail network near Stittsville) involved clearing brush and trees. It is recorded that on 17 August 1870 a fire was set—likely by railway workers burning brush near Blakeney (in Ramsay Township) which quickly escaped into the adjacent bush.
Once ignited, the fire spread with terrifying speed. Fierce winds, tinder-dry fuels, and a patchwork of forest and farmland created the ideal conditions for a firestorm. In one recorded description, the wind-aided fire front expanded to 11 miles wide when it reached the Goulbourn/Stittsville/Bell’s Corners area. Residents later described the scene as “billows of flame until the whole west appeared like a sea of fire rolling down”.
One source states that in just hours the fire covered nearly 40 miles from its origin to its most-eastward point.
The village of Stittsville—at that time located at the crossroads of Huntley Road (now Carp Road) and the 12th concession (now Neil Avenue) in Goulbourn Township—was well in the fire’s path. At the time the village had a population of about 100, with a hotel, general merchant, blacksmith, tanner, club-rooms, post-office and fairground. The fire destroyed every building in the village except two churches to the south. On the surrounding farms, destruction was widespread: thousands of acres of forest and farmland, hundreds of farms burned or severely damaged. One account gives about 3,000 farms burned, 8,000 people losing their livelihoods, and “several hundred square miles” destroyed.
At least a few fatalities occurred: one early settler, Mrs Patrick Hartin (near Stittsville), died clutching a clock at Poole Creek while fleeing the flames. Another, Robert Grant, who saved his wife and six small children, only to perish when he returned to retrieve some valuables. On the number of deaths, reports vary – one estimate lists ~20 people killed in the region.
Once ignited, the fire spread with terrifying speed. Fierce winds, tinder-dry fuels, and a patchwork of forest and farmland created the ideal conditions for a firestorm. In one recorded description, the wind-aided fire front expanded to 11 miles wide when it reached the Goulbourn/Stittsville/Bell’s Corners area. Residents later described the scene as “billows of flame until the whole west appeared like a sea of fire rolling down”.
One source states that in just hours the fire covered nearly 40 miles from its origin to its most-eastward point.
The village of Stittsville—at that time located at the crossroads of Huntley Road (now Carp Road) and the 12th concession (now Neil Avenue) in Goulbourn Township—was well in the fire’s path. At the time the village had a population of about 100, with a hotel, general merchant, blacksmith, tanner, club-rooms, post-office and fairground. The fire destroyed every building in the village except two churches to the south. On the surrounding farms, destruction was widespread: thousands of acres of forest and farmland, hundreds of farms burned or severely damaged. One account gives about 3,000 farms burned, 8,000 people losing their livelihoods, and “several hundred square miles” destroyed.
At least a few fatalities occurred: one early settler, Mrs Patrick Hartin (near Stittsville), died clutching a clock at Poole Creek while fleeing the flames. Another, Robert Grant, who saved his wife and six small children, only to perish when he returned to retrieve some valuables. On the number of deaths, reports vary – one estimate lists ~20 people killed in the region.
The Great Fire of 1880. The area in red is the presumed fire according to newspaper reports of that time.
While the township has been devasted, it didn’t take long for its citizens to rebuild. Eventually the new township was built about 1.5kms south of the original crossroads. Stittsville would grow and the new Township Hall would become quite the community hub. Despite being the size of a one-room schoolhouse, it was home to council meetings, parties and dances. A small addition was made to the back of the building in 1928.
On June 26, 1964, the St. Thomas Anglican Church was struck by lightning, causing a major fire. The church was destroyed. Although the church was rebuilt, it was no longer on that site. However, the cemetery remained.
The Museum would open in 1990, thanks to the members of the Goulbourn Township Historical Society, who had acquired the use of the Goulbourn Township Hall as a space to store their expanding collection of artifacts and family histories. The adjacent building – the former clerks building built in 1961 – was also acquired and is now home to the museum’s administrative offices and collection storage.
On June 26, 1964, the St. Thomas Anglican Church was struck by lightning, causing a major fire. The church was destroyed. Although the church was rebuilt, it was no longer on that site. However, the cemetery remained.
The Museum would open in 1990, thanks to the members of the Goulbourn Township Historical Society, who had acquired the use of the Goulbourn Township Hall as a space to store their expanding collection of artifacts and family histories. The adjacent building – the former clerks building built in 1961 – was also acquired and is now home to the museum’s administrative offices and collection storage.