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MacNamara House
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Our Story

Learn more about MacNamara House
Turn back the clock
MacNamara House history
MacNamara coat of arms
This 1860s Victorian white, gingerbread, board and batten character home on the Madawaska River is an Arnprior landmark. Situated in the heart of beautiful historic downtown Arnprior, a short walk brings you to terrific restaurants and shops, a vintage movie theatre, and arts and cultural events. A wonderful park and beaches are a 5 to 7 minute walk away either along a riverside path or on tree-lined streets featuring many beautiful old homes. Three golf courses and two ski hills are a short drive away.
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Arnprior is a painless 45-minute drive to central Ottawa (Parliament Hill), the nation's capital, on an uncongested 4-lane highway. (20 minutes to Kanata.)

An ideal location for:
  • Bed & Breakfast stays
  • Business off-sites: meetings, retreats, training sessions, workshops 
  • Private functions:  small receptions, parties, weddings, reunions, anniversaries 
  • Photo shoots 
  • Visiting artists or artist retreats, complete with artists' studios 
History of the MacNamara House

The MacNamara House was built in 1863 by lumber baron Daniel McLachlin as his personal home on the banks of the Madawaska River, near his mill. In 1881, the MacNamara family moved in and the house stayed in the family until 2016, when it was sold to your hosts, Andy & Mary Anne, who have lovingly restored it to its original charm.

The long unusable coal fireplaces in the living room and library were upgraded to gas inserts with an era-appropriate grill. The living room and formal dining room have been preserved to maintain their original grandeur (dish sets were found that match the original dining room décor.) The second-floor bedrooms are all renovated and tastefully furnished and decorated. The art hanging throughout the house is by your host Mary Anne.

The MacNamaras:
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In 1881, Richard MacNamara received this home as part of his compensation for his CFO position with the McLachlin lumber mills. He bought the property outright in 1913. It was the family home for successive generations of MacNamaras who created the idyllic setting with lovely heritage perennial gardens. The family were active community builders and their home became known locally as "the MacNamara house". Charles (1870-1944) is the most famous of the MacNamaras. He was a well known and highly respected naturalist and photographer. There is an informative and well-maintained nature trail named after him. The Arnprior Archives hosts a virtual exhibit about him on its Web site (link below).
Exterior: MacNamara House Victorian style Bed and Breakfast in Arnprior and the Ottawa Valley
Front entrance: MacNamara House B&B in Arnprior, Ontario
Front hallway: Historic MacNamara House located in the Ottawa Valley
Entryway: Historic MacNamara House close to the heart of Arnprior, Ontario
Umbrella stand at MacNamara House, an Arnprior B&B
Elegant entryway: MacNamara House Bed & Breakfast located near Canada's Capital city, Ottawa
Hardwood floors and antique furnishings decorate this historic B&B, MacNamara House
Historic trim in  the great room of MacNamara House in downtown Arnprior
Comfortable main sitting room: MacNamara House, Bed & Breakfast
Sitting room looks into the meeting/gathering room: Bed & Breakfast, MacNamara House
Meeting space for business or pleasure: MacNamara House, Arnprior, Ontario, near Ottawa
Feature fireplace in the great room at MacNamara House not far from Renfrew, Ontario
Enjoy original art by owner Mary Anne Robblee at MacNamara House, only 20 minutes from Kanata.
Original historic fireplace trim: MacNamara House, a short walk to restaurants and shops.
Original Gingko trim on MacNamara House's historic fireplace
Ginko motif on fireplace: MacNamara House Bed & Breakfast
Vintage furnishings at Arnprior's historic B&B: MacNamara House
Cozy nook for relaxing at this Arnprior B&B
Ambience galore with china to match MacNamara House's wallpaper.
MacNamara House's china co-coordinates with the wallpaper
Elegant dinning room: Arnprior B&B
Attention to details reflected in the MacNamara House furnishings
Vintage details embellish everything at this Arnprior Bed & Breakfast
Vintage furnishings abound in this century B&B home
Antique sideboard in the dining room at MacNamara House
More original artwork created by this Arnprior B&B's owner.
China to match this B&B's historical atmosphere
Original artwork on every wall of this Arnprior B&B
MacNamara House's kitchen
Vintage B&B kitchen renovated with a period feel
B&B kitchen nook
Cozy Arnprior B&B library
MacNamara House library with fireplace
Pillow to keep you comfy in the B&B library
More Ginko leaves on MacNamara House's fabrics
Original light fixtures reflect this B&B's history
Ginko fabric from library chairs
In the B&B library you can relax on the sofa or window chairs
Reading nook in MacNamara House's library
Descend the staircase in a wedding gown to your intimate ceremony in the living room.
More historic details on the MacNamara House staircase
Staircase leading to the upstairs bedrooms
Landing view of the stairs to the B&B bedrooms
Landing on the staircase
Upstairs bathroom at MacNamara House B&B
This Arnprior B&B has a renovated downstairs powder room
Relax in the gardens with a view over Arnprior's Madawaska River, close to hiking trails and winter ski trails
Perfect garden setting for an Arnprior wedding or family get together
Arnprior B&B garden
MacNamara House B&B garden
B&B garden, picture perfect
Spring in the garden at MacNamara House
Spring plants in the garden of this Arnprior Bed and Breakfast
Flowers enhance the gardens at MacNamara House
Artist's studio in Arnprior
Stairs to the upper level of MacNamara House's original barn
Artists may arrange to rent the artist's studio in the warm weather
Seasonal artist's studio in Arnprior
This Canadian artist's studio is flooded with natural light
Arnprior B&B Owner/Artist Mary Anne Robblee's paintings
Macnamara House breakfast
Croissant served for breakfast at Macnamara House B&B
Delicious fresh fruit served for breakfast at Macnamara House
Arnprior's Macnamara House Breakfast
Welcome to MacNamara House at Christmas
Celebrate Christmas at MacNamara House in Arnprior
MacNamara House decorated for Christmas
Santa doesn't forget MacNamara House guests.
Christmas Tree decorated at Arnprior's MacNamara House only 20 minutes from Kanata
Enjoy Christmas time in this warm B&B, MacNamara House in the Ottawa Valley.
MacNamara House history
Go the Arnprior McNab/Braeside Archives to find out more...
Arnprior activities
Learn more about Arnprior
and this area

Location
153 Daniel Street North
Arnprior, ON  K7S 2L2

Contact Us
Phone: 613-800-5068 / 613-296-4521
Email: [email protected]
Photography by Allan Nodelman

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