The Chester Municipal Heritage Society

Chester Train Station

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.

The Lordly House Museum
The Lordly House Museum. Open Tues-Sat, 10AM to 4PM. June 10th - September 15th, 2024.
To arrange an appointment at other times: Call (902)-275-3826 or (902)-275-2030

Lordly House Museum

133 Central Street, Chester, Nova Scotia

The Lordly House Museum works toward promoting and cultivating the unique heritage of different places within the Municipality of the District of Chester. Known originally as "Evergreen Hall," Lordly 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).