The Whale Inn, shown in this 1960 photograph (before its restoration), was built in 1835 to cater to sailors and merchants arriving at the Melville Street harbour. The Whale Inn is also known as the Elliott House. Its first innkeeper, Walter Elliott, was succeeded by his son Thomas, a fisherman, whose wife and daughters ran a boarding house here post-1870. The Elliott House was noted for the excellence of its cooking. Visitors to the nearby Queen’s Royal Hotel often ate there. Though the Whale Inn was supposedly a teetotal establishment, its house mincemeat was liberally laced with brandy and sherry. For many years, the house has been a private dwelling, but the taproom door at the left front is a reminder of its earlier function.

Our summer exhibition will feature significant heritage homes in NOTL. If there’s one you would like to see featured, let us know at contact@nhsm.ca.