Greenwood Centre

for Living History

For over 200 years, Greenwood and its beautiful grounds have been a focal point for the Hudson community. Nestled comfortably along the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains, the magnificent property stands witness to a history that continues to unfold before its doors.

Greenwood was bequeathed to Canadian Heritage of Quebec, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of lands and buildings of beauty or historic interest, by Phoebe Nobbs Hyde, the last of five generations to live there. It was her wish that the historical character of Greenwood be maintained and the property be shared with the people of Hudson and the surrounding community. Her remarkable gift led to the establishment of the Greenwood Centre for Living History.

The Story of Greenwood

The Greenwood property was first settled in 1732 by Jean Baptiste Sabourin. The original Sabourin homestead still stands and forms part of the house. The property remained in Sabourin hands until 1820, when it was purchased by John Mark Crank Delesderniers. He intended it to be both a residence for his son, Peter Francis Christian, and a general store and trading post In the 1840s it served as the first post office in the area. Greenwood was extended eastward on two occasions - in the 1820s and again after 1830.

Greenwood remained within the Delesderniers family until Mrs. Hyde passed away in 1994. Family members associated with the property include Dr Francis John Shepherd, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University for many years and Percy Erskine Nobbs, one of Canada's foremost architects. A number of Delesderniers-Shepherd descendants still live in the Hudson area and continue to be involved with Greenwood.

The Greenwood Residence

The Greenwood residence with its collection of artifacts and furnishings, calls forth a delightful reflection of Canadians at home over three centuries and provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of its unique inhabitants.

The Historic Gardens of Greenwood

The gardens of Greenwood are its crowning glory. Alive with glorious colour from earliest spring until well into September, the extensive lakeside lawns and flower beds offer a rare example of a family garden that has been developed and nurtured for over 100 years.