1834 Métis house sold for $2, moved across Canadian bay to become museum
An 1834 Métis home, known as the Labatte House, was sold for $2 and moved across Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, to be preserved as a heritage museum. The 75,000-pound timber and stone house, believed to be Ontario's oldest surviving Métis home, was relocated by the Métis Nation of Ontario to protect it from damage and ensure public access.
Why it matters
This initiative preserves a significant piece of Métis and Canadian history, offering a direct link to early settlement and cultural heritage. It demonstrates a community's commitment to protecting historical landmarks for future generations and public education.
An 1834 Métis home built near the Canadian shoreline is beginning a new chapter after being moved across Georgian Bay. Its private owner sold the historic building for just $2 to help create a heritage museum. Known as the Labatte House, the building weighs about 75,000 pounds. It was placed on a special barge at Thunder Beach, Ontario, and carried across the water to Balm Beach. The move aims to protect what is believed to be Ontario’s oldest surviving historic Métis home. Louis-George Labatte and his family built the timber and stone house in 1834. It offers a direct link to the early history of settlement around the Great Lakes.
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