lordly house

The Chester Municipal Heritage

Society was established in 1981

to promote and cultivate

awareness of the unique

heritage of the

Municipality of

the District of Chester

for the

enjoyment and benefit of

present and future generations

through the preservation of

historically significant

properties and the delivery of

educational programming.

Chester Municipal Heritage Society

Lordly House

The Lordly House Museum is a municipal museum that works toward

promoting and cultivating awareness of the unique heritage of the

Municipality of the District of Chester. Known originally as Evergreen

Hall, the house was built circa 1806 by Captain McCurdy who was

later lost at sea. It became the home of Charles Ingles Lordly, the

first Municipal Clerk, and his wife Margaret McCurdy.

The Lordlys were enthusiastic workers on amateur theatricals and

entertainments for the church and welfare activities and hosted many

parties. The Lordly family has been described as, “vivacious and

ambitious,” “public spirited,” “always ready to assist in the general well

fare of the community”. A Lordly was always a warden or vestry clerk

of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church just across the street.

The house is a fine example of Georgian architecture with six

fireplaces, two parlours, a kitchen, a dining-room, and six bedrooms.

There is a servants’ staircase in the dining-room still with ‘original’

leather straps, which aided ascent to the second floor.

It was the centre of cultural and social life in the community and has

been continuously lived in, with two short exceptions, since it was

built. It is mostly original condition but there were some changes over

time - an addition on the north side and alterations to the roof line

(now restored).

Lordly House,

133 Central Street, Chester, NS

Closed for the season Opening June 15, 2022

To arrange an appointment at other times: Call 902-275-3826 or 902-275-2030