A Truly Unique Dining Experience

Heritage Culinary Experiences At The Heritage Site

For a truly unique dining experience, the summer kitchen at the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site is a perfect setting for guests to gather and enjoy one of the heritage meals. Much like Mr. Ermatinger was known for many years ago. Chef Alma Kasch develops the set menus for high tea, breakfast, and lunch, and a “Voyageur Dinner” is offered any time of year.

Anyone can book a heritage culinary experience. There must be a minimum of ten people and the summer kitchen can accommodate up to thirty-six guests. These experiences are popular for birthdays, Christmas parties, business meetings, and wedding parties. They don’t take drop-ins, but 2 – 3 families can get together and book an event.

The Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site has been offering these unique culinary experiences for over 6 years now with no signs of slowing down. People love them and there is always a pleasant surprise from many diners that it’s offered locally. The staff wear period costumes and the food is served on blue willow pattern dishes, which is a historical pattern. All of this adds to the cultural experience!

Locally Sourced Ingredients

The food served is sourced from the gardens as much as possible when in season. Foods and products are sourced from local Algoma farms. The team is always looking for more opportunities to source locally. While the premise is not licensed to serve alcohol, they can and do get special occasion permits depending on the group size.

I am told that the heritage culinary experiences are very well received with non-stop bookings and have increased visitation for the museum as well as brought in needed revenue.

The Heritage Gardens

A key ingredient to the culinary experience is the heritage gardens on the grounds surrounding this historic site. The gardens produce herbs and period plants and vegetables, as well as berries and flowers along with an orchard of apple trees. As mentioned, the food grown is used wherever needed in the kitchens.

Hosting A Variety Of Festivals And Events

Other events throughout the year include Evenings in the Summer Kitchen Dinners, Moonlight Madness, Christmas Evening in the Summer Kitchen, Lilac & Lavender Victorian High Tea, Strawberry Social, and Blueberry Festival to name a few. There is no shortage of many types of culinary experiences with a heritage twist. For dates and times, check the website or follow Facebook.

The History Of The House

“The stone house la Maison de Pierre, as they call it, a large mansion built of stone by a former agent of the Northwest Hudson Bay Company, who lived there with his family, servants, horses and hounds and gave hospitable dinners in those days when it was the fashion for the host to do so…” William Cullen Bryant.

Today, the Ermatinger home and the Francis H. Clergue block house are part of Sault Ste. Marie’s most notable National Historic Sites. In the heart of downtown Sault Ste. Marie, overlooking the St. Marys River, it’s a property of historical significance. The city has not only preserved this precious piece of property but has enhanced it and made it accessible to everyone to enjoy a piece of our past. There is an endless number of historical stories and interesting information about the heritage site. The Discovery Centre features a fully stocked unique gift shop. However, I was most intrigued by their heritage culinary programs. I was welcomed to the site by heritage site staff who gave me the inside scoop about what is offered through the programs.

What a wonderful asset this vibrant, beautiful and busy historical site is to Sault Ste. Marie! If you haven’t been yet, you should go! You won’t be disappointed! If you haven’t been in a while, visit and explore the “Old Stone House”.  There is always something fresh and new happening there.

Web: Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site 
Social: Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site or  @ErmatingerClergue
800 Bay Street. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

All photo credits: Ermatinger Clergue National Historical Site.

Tags