321 Beach, known as Harrington Cottage, is believed to have been built circa 1856. Sir William Dawson bought the house from a fellow McGill professor in 1883, for his daughter, Anna Lois (née Dawson), and her husband, Professor Bernard J. Harrington who also worked at McGill. In fact, Professor Harrington headed the brand-new Department of Practical and Applied Science from its beginnings in 1871. The teaching position was created with money donated by families, many of whom also summered in Metis, including the Molsons and Redpaths, in order to allow McGill to compete with the University of Toronto for students of science.
Much of Beach Road was known as McGill College Road, and this particular section was nicknamed Professors’ Row because so many McGill professors summered here.
Jill Harrington, great-granddaughter of Dawson, explains what first brought Professor Dawson to Metis and how many other McGill University professors and benefactors soon followed.
Audio is on the next page: click on the right arrow to access it!