Gault House
When strolling on the Mont-Saint-Hilaire trails, you will find the same rich and tranquil forest Samuel de Champlain contemplated in 1609, when he was sailing the Richelieu River. Mont-Saint-Hilaire possesses a rich historical past.
While sailing the Richelieu River to its lake, Champlain discovered the mountain then named it “Wigwomadensis” the mountain that looks like a wigwam (North American Indians tents).
In 1694, the mountain was first owned by the military Jean-Baptiste Hertel, Chambly’s Lord’s son, who names his mountain Mount Rouville.
In 1844, the mountain changes owner and name to become the Mount Beloeil. The Scotland Campbell family buys the seigniory from the Hertel family.
In need of money, in 1913, the Campbell sells the mountain to an English officer, the Bowman Andrew Hamilton Gault who decides to move by the Hertel lake in 1947, into a modest cottage.
In 1957, Mr. Gault who adores and respects the mountain, and wishes to keep it as its original state, starts to build a real manor by the lake, a large stone house, “his passion”.
Once completed, he lives in it only three weeks and dies on November 28, 1958.
This house is still there today; it is called the “Gault House” and serves now as reception room.
Faithfull to the Bowman Gault’s will, the McGill University prepares a plan to limit the allowed activities on the Mount-Saint-Hilaire, to preserve the domain, to use the mountain for research and university teaching, and the elaboration of a nature interpretation program and free visits for the public in general.
Story
Setting foot on the trails of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, you will find the same rich and peaceful forest that Samuel de Champlain gazed upon in 1609, sailing by boat on the Richelieu River. Mont Saint-Hilaire has a rich historical past.
It was while going down the Richelieu River toward its lake that Champlain discovered the mountain known at the time by the name of
"Wigwomadensis", the mountain that resembles a wigwam (a dwelling of North American Indians).
In 1694, the mountain had its first owner, the military officer Jean-Baptiste Hertel, son of the Seigneur de Chambly, who named his mountain Mont Rouville.
In 1844 the mountain changed hands and name to become Mont Beloeil. It was the Campbell family from Scotland who bought the Seigneury from the Hertel family.
Short of money, in 1913 the Campbells sold the mountain to a British officer, Brigadier Andrew Hamilton Gault, who decided to settle on the shore of Lac Hertel in 1947 in a modest cottage.
In 1957, Mr. Gault, who loved and respected the mountain and wished to keep it in its original state, began construction of a real manor on the lakeshore, a large stone house, "his folly".
Once it was finished, he lived there for barely three weeks and died on November 28, 1958.
This house still exists today; it bears the name "Maison Gault" and now serves as a reception hall.
True to Brigadier Gault’s wishes, McGill University is preparing a plan to govern the activities permitted on Mont Saint-Hilaire, aimed at preserving the property, using the mountain for university research and teaching purposes, and developing a nature-interpretation program with free visits for the general public.