AUNT ANNIE'S HISTORIC METIS HOME IN SOUTHAMPTON

Aunt Annie's House has been remodeled over the years.

There's a little nondescript cottage near the harbour in Southampton that I passed dozens of times without really noticing it. As a matter of fact, it took a good 15 years for me to finally realize the historical significance of "Annie's House", one of the oldest homes in Southampton, built even before the community was surveyed for a town.

Angelique “Aunt Annie” Longe, was a Métis woman born on the banks of the Saugeen River in 1844 and she lived in the home most of her life. As a girl she sailed the Lake Huron shore with her family in a ship packed with chickens, supplies and furs for trade.

Aunt Annie sitting in front of
her home, circa 1900.

Annie spoke English, French, Anishinaabemowin and Gaelic and her home at the harbour became the hub in the community for many of the local settlers, Metis and others who sought to speak in their native tongues. She was also often consulted on traditional medicine and served as a midwife, helping bring many Metis babies into the world. In later years she always left a candle burning in her front window as a symbol of protection for the Metis fisherman who braved the waves of the "Sweetwater Sea" (Lake Huron).

A spinster, Annie died in November, 1934. Her parents were Joseph Longe Jr. and Christine Plante.

The Saugeen Metis have lived at the mouth of the Saugeen River since the early 1800's. They were fur traders, mariners and fisherman and continue to live in the area to this day.

Likewise, Aunt Annie's House remains in the Longe family after more than 160 years and is available for rent during the summer months. 

Historic Saugeen Métis (HSM) are hosting their 10th Annual Rendezvous this weekend and the house will be open for very rare guided tours...I plan to be there to see what else I've been missing.