Located in the heart of Dorchester, New Brunswick, the Keillor House Museum offers an immersive journey into a vibrant and often overlooked chapter of the province’s past. More than a historic home, this beautifully preserved Georgian stone mansion brings to life the story of ambition, resilience, and social change in early New Brunswick.
Visitors are welcomed by costumed interpreters, the “maids and hired hands” of Keillor House, who guide you through a deeply engaging narrative. The Keillor story follows a yeoman farmer from Yorkshire, England, who, through hard work and determination, rose to become a respected gentleman. His journey unfolds through the rooms of the home, touching on the social and political landscape of a young New Brunswick and extending into the Victorian era, filled with compelling and colourful characters.
Inside, you’ll explore rooms filled with period furniture, antique china, kitchen tools, and rare artifacts, each offering a window into daily life in the 19th century. The museum also houses the Graydon Milton Library & Genealogy Centre, where visitors can trace local family histories and deepen their connection to the region.
Your visit continues at the Coach House, home to the Dorchester Penitentiary Collection, Canada’s first prison museum. This unique exhibit provides a rare glimpse into the history of incarceration, alongside displays of 19th-century carriages, agricultural tools, and household items that reflect the working life of the time.
For those looking for a more hands-on experience, Keillor House offers its popular Hearth Cooking program. This immersive activity invites visitors to step into the role of early settlers by preparing a meal over an open fire. From lighting the hearth to cooking stew in a cauldron, baking biscuits in a wall oven, and preparing pie in a Dutch oven, participants experience the full process of traditional cooking. Designed for small groups of 2 to 8 people (ages 8 and up), this “slow food” experience offers a memorable and sensory connection to the past. Advance reservations are required.
Throughout the season, Keillor House also hosts a variety of events that celebrate history, creativity, and community.
2026 Season: June 13 – August 30
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Special Events:
4974 Main Street, Dorchester, NB
4974 Main Street, Dorchester, NB, E4L 2Z1
