Quebec is a region of livestock, agriculture and crafts – and you can see a bit of that in Montreal’s markets (Atwater, Jean-Talon and all the neighborhood markets).
In Montreal, we’re sometimes a long way from the countryside; we have everything we want on the island. Everything can be delivered within half an hour, open 24 hours a day, beaches, dog parks, the “underground city” and a concentration of culture, international gastronomy and thrifts.
After all, we’re city dwellers… We’ve forgotten the flowers that sting our ankles and the smell of wet wool and diesel from regional pickups.
When it comes to reconnecting with the region, we’ve got the perfect road-trip : a day at the Moulin d’Ulverton.
History of the Ulverton Woolen Mill
The Ulverton Woolen Mill is the only one of its kind in Quebec, and is a woolen factory housed in an old watermill. It was established in the mill in the 1840s, and the mill wheel still turns, driven by river water.
It is, of course, listed as an Immeuble Patrimonial in Quebec’s cultural heritage, because of its historical value. Its architecture is very Loyalist (English, now New England Americans, with whom we maintained a strong link until the end of the 20th century). The building is made of cut fieldstone for the lower levels, with a wooden interior worthy of Arthur Miller’s Witches of Salem.
What’s more, the mill and its machines for drawing, spinning, carding and dyeing wool are a testament to the establishment of the wool industry in the Eastern Townships in the 18th and 19th centuries – a major agricultural and economic development of the region.
The visit, the walks, the wool sheep
The best part of a visit to the Ulverton Woolen Mill is the visit to the woolen sheep. What are they? They’re little sheep, they’re woolly, they’re happy, they’re running around in the fresh grass. It’s impossible not to fall under their spell. It’s July and August.
The mill grounds have 5km of trails for strolling, picnicking and a bit of adventure. 3km of the mill’s trails are “rustic” and can be walked the old-fashioned way (possibly not in gougounes, but we won’t tell you what to do).
For the trails, the mill asks for a contribution of $5/person. It’s still cheaper than an iced matcha to preserve this historic natural environment….
The mill’s workshop, with its period machinery, can be visited at the Musée du Moulin d’Ulverton, with an exhibition where the machines come to life.
You can also take part in a historic knitting workshop at La Fabrique du Petit Bas.
Recently, you can also take an augmented reality tour to learn more about the mill in its early days: Avant de Perdre le Fil.
After all these visits, you can enjoy an English-style tea at the Bistro de la Bergerie, to end the day the old-fashioned way…
Practical info
Where? 210 Porter Road, Ulverton, QC
When/How Open from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May-June-September-October :
Friday to Sunday
July-August :
Wednesday to Sunday
- Guided tour of the machines – 6 departures per day (10:30-11:30-13:00-14:00-15:00-16:00), Adult: $34.79/Senior (65+): $30.44/Student*: $28.27/Child : Not available (security measure)
- Augmented reality tour – start of the experience 10:00-11:00-12:00-13:30-14:30-15:30, Adult: $15/ Senior (65 and over): $13.70/ Student*: $8.70/ Child (12 and under): $6.52
- English tea – low season: Friday, Saturday and Sunday/
high season: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, $30/person
- La Fabrique du petit Bas, knitting workshop – every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 1:00 pm from July to August, Adults: $20.00/ Seniors (65+): $18.50/ Students*: $16.75/ Children: $15.00
- Trail access – year-round, $5/person
Enjoy your visit to the mill!