The Hillsdale House Inn
An Old Postcard of the Hillsdale House in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia The Hillsdale House Inn still sits proudly along St. George Street in Annapolis Royal. Except for a brief time as a personal home the house has been used as an Inn and Guest House. Back in the nineteenth century there were three Foster sisters who ran a store in the middle of town. One sister, Miss Susan decided she wanted to branch out into bigger and better things. So she bought the 11 acres of land known as the former “Exercising Ground” of the soldiers of the fort garrison. On this property she had a fine house built with twenty–five rooms plus storage rooms and a large carriage house. She named her new fine house “The Hillsdale House”. Later she had a barn built and in the basement of this she had a hennery which had a glassed in sun room for the winter months. Other buildings were a piggery which had a workshop above it and an ice house on the slope leading down to the river. The buildings and house were set back from the road on a spacious lawn with a “Wedding Cake Garden” on the front yard. The whole lawn was decorated with shrubbery and flower gardens. In the back fruit tress were planted growing apples, pears, quinces, plums and cherries. She also planted grape vines and currants. After the house was finished Susan Foster married Edwin Ryerson with the wedding taking place in the double parlours of the house. Mr. Ryerson attended auctions and purchased fine antique furniture to furnish the grand house. They opened their doors for guest and catered to the first class guest. The oldest registry dates back to 1870 and contains such names as King George V, then the Prince of Whales who visited in June of 1884 while on an extended fishing trip. Also that year the Marquis of Lansdowne, Governor General of Canada stayed at the Inn. The Ryersons were good friends with the Perkins who ran the old Queen Hotel in centre of town. When Susan died the Perkins bought the Ryerson's House and moved in October of 1897. The tradition of the Hillsdale House was carried on with admirals, generals, judges and governors all staying there. Lord Tweedsmuir and Prime Minister Mackenzie both stayed there in 1937. Today the Hillsdale House is again opened up as one of the finest inns of the Annapolis Valley.
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