History

History of the Embree House

As the Embree’s were one of the founding families of Port Hawkesbury (then known as Ship Harbour) this house has both historical significance in name and structure. Beginning in 1815 with Thomas Embree and then followed by three of his brothers, the Embree’s built a tannery, a famous shipbuilding business (which won international fame), and obtained a charter for a private ferry service.

Ferry Captain James Embree House was built in 1880 by the Embree Shipbuilders, who turned to this line of work when there was a down turn in the shipbuilding industry. The house has 9½ foot ceilings with decorative mouldings, original hardwood floors, antique furniture, and unique features such as a "beggar's cup" built into the bannister of the oak staircase.

The house was sold for the first time in 1939, sold again in 1946, and then left to stand the test of time until 1991 when it was purchased and under went a two year restoration process. In 1994 it was opened as a Bed & breakfast and then registered as a Provincial Heritage Property on March 25, 1995.

Your hosts, John & Sharon Spencer and family, purchased this house in 1998 becoming the fifth owners in 120 years. We continue to work on maintaining the historic details and welcome our Bed & Breakfast guests to share “The Captain’s House” with us.

Isiah Embree, 1825 - 1885, (son of Thomas)

received a government charter in 1856 to

start a private ferry service across the Strait

of Canso from Port Hawkesbury to

Mulgrave. This in turn was taken over by

his son, James John, the original owner of

this house and who in turn passed the business down to his son, Ormond. Unfortunately, Ormond fell overboard while operating the ferry on October 1, 1932 and this concluded 75 years of the family run ferry service by three generations.

Harbourview B&B and Motel

harbourview.bb@ns.aliantzinc.ca

209 Granville St.

Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

B9A 2G4

1-877-676-6886 or (902) 625-3224