Description of Historic Place

Built in 1936, the McPherson House is a one-and-a-half storey squared-log dwelling that overlooks the Papal Flats in Fort Simpson. The house and its grounds are designated.

Heritage Value

The McPherson House, prominently located at the southern edge of the original Hudson’s Bay Company compound on the Fort Simpson waterfront, provides an unparalleled view of the junction of the Mackenzie and the Liard Rivers, the key trade transportation routes of the period. The McPherson House has great heritage value because it is an icon of the settlement heritage of Fort Simpson for the community and tourists alike. The house is an excellent example of Metis architecture as interpreted by prominent Metis community members. The grounds occupied by and surrounding the McPherson House comprise a multi-component stratified archaeological site. Upper layers of the site suggest that the Hudson’s Bay Company used the area for the construction of York Boats, while lower strata indicate use by pre-contact inhabitants.

Source: Village of Fort Simpson Heritage Bylaw.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the McPherson House is defined by:
- Its squared-log, square notch corner construction
- Its original materials and construction style, dating to its occupation by the builder
- Its selection of McPherson furniture
- Its view of the river and the Flats
- Its original location in the historic Hudson’s Bay Company area
- The hummocky character of the grounds and the associated as-found remains