When we found the farmhouse, it was the 60 acres along the Atlantic and 120 acres in the Cape Breton Highlands that first drew us in. We were told to bury or burn it and rebuild, but we chose another alternative: to renovate with local spruce, hemlock and imported Douglas fir beams, and preserve the history and beauty of this beautiful, spacious Cape Breton home.
In 2000, we renovated the 19th century homestead/working farm which once had horses, chickens, pigs, sprawling gardens and a sawmill. Dr. Paul and Barbara walked the land, re-creating trails once used by the Urquehardt family, who built and lived in this house. The farmhouse had been a place where midwives delivered babies and it was a home to many adopted children.
Since then, it has become a gathering spot for travelers, families and friends who enjoy spending time with each other hiking, swimming, boating, and listening to local Celtic music and ceilidhs.