The Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre occupies a preserved Victorian estate in Lennoxville, in the southern borough of Sherbrooke. The site comprises a brick residence dating from 1862, a former wooden stable and several hectares of wooded grounds, where contemporary art exhibitions, guided tours and the tradition of English afternoon tea—recognized as an element of the city's intangible heritage—are presented throughout the year.

Why visit Uplands

Uplands condenses several layers of Eastern Townships heritage into a single location: the British Georgian architecture introduced by English-speaking settlers in the 19th century, the Victorian way of life transmitted through the tea tradition, and contemporary regional artistic creation presented seasonally. The site has been listed on Quebec's cultural heritage register since 2012, and its tea practice has been recognized since 2017 as part of Sherbrooke's intangible heritage elements.

The entire property can be explored on foot in one to two hours, following a route that combines the residence's interior, gardens and the restored former stable.

History of the estate

The Uplands estate was founded by John Barney Paddon, a British immigrant from Hampshire County who arrived in Canada in 1836. After an initial settlement in Compton, he acquired land in Lennoxville and had the brick residence built in 1862. The property operated as a productive farm, with several outbuildings including the stable still visible today.

In 1889, his daughter Julia Agnes inherited the estate, which she occupied with her husband until fires in 1895 and 1897 destroyed part of the agricultural outbuildings. The property was subsequently acquired in 1919 by Arthur Theodore Speid, a photographer, local elected official and figure in the regional theatrical community, who made several modifications. The Speid family occupied the site until 1987.

That same year, the Town of Lennoxville and the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society jointly acquired the property. Thanks to volunteer restoration work, it opened to the public in 1988, with the first exhibitions and English afternoon teas beginning in 1990. A dedicated organization, the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre, was created in 2000 to manage the site, which obtained in 2012 the status of a designated heritage site under Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act.

What to see on the site

The estate comprises two distinct buildings set on partially wooded grounds with mature trees.

The residence

The two-storey brick dwelling reflects the British Georgian architectural influences that Paddon had known before his immigration:

• Rectangular two-storey plan topped with a hipped roof
• Sash windows arranged symmetrically, flanked by shutters
• Portal framed by a glazed transom and topped with a bracketed cornice
• Covered gallery running along the facade, a characteristic element of the picturesque movement seeking to connect the building with its surroundings

The former stable

Restored and integrated into the site's programming, the wooden stable illustrates the agricultural architecture of the second half of the 19th century:

• Rectangular two-storey plan topped with a pitched roof
• Central gable dormer and ventilation lantern
• Large double-leaf openings
• Unusually large dimensions for this type of agricultural building

Exhibitions

The artistic programming is renewed several times per year:

• Interior exhibitions of works by local and regional artists, distributed throughout the residence's rooms
• Outdoor exhibitions on panels in the gardens and wooded grounds, freely accessible during the warm season
• Collections of furniture and antiques belonging to the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society, visible in each room of the residence

English afternoon tea

Recognized in 2017 as one of Sherbrooke's intangible heritage practices, the tea tradition has been served at Uplands since 1990. Depending on the season, the experience takes place in the gardens or inside the residence:

• Service provided by guides in period costume
• Period silverware and porcelain teacups
• Packages available for individual visitors, groups and school groups

Practical information

• Address: 9 rue Speid, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1M 1R9
• Phone: 819 564-0409 (to confirm at reopening)
• GPS coordinates: 45.369171, -71.860547
• Admission fee: moderate cost for visits and tea service, to be confirmed with the centre
• Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours on site, longer with tea service
• Accessibility: site partially accessible to people with reduced mobility
• Heritage status: designated heritage site under Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act since 2012

Note: the centre is currently closed for renovations and renewal of its permanent exhibition. Reopening is planned for fall 2026 with a completely renewed program.

When to visit

Uplands offers different experiences depending on the season. From late spring through early fall, the gardens are accessible, outdoor panel exhibitions are installed and tea can be served outdoors under the estate's mature trees. This is the most favorable period to combine interior visits with wandering through the wooded grounds.

In autumn, the Eastern Townships foliage provides a colorful setting, particularly between late September and mid-October. In winter, tea service moves indoors to the residence, creating a more intimate atmosphere. The reopening planned for fall 2026 immediately positions the site within the fall colors season.

How to get there

Uplands is located in the Lennoxville sector, south of downtown Sherbrooke, approximately 150 km east of Montreal via Highway 10 then 410. From downtown Sherbrooke, allow less than 15 minutes by car.

• By car: free parking available on rue Speid
• By public transport: STS bus lines 2 and 11 serve the area (check current routes with the Sherbrooke Transportation Society)
• By bike: a bike parking area and charging station for electric bikes are installed near the former stable

What to combine in the region

Uplands integrates easily into a heritage itinerary in eastern Quebec. To continue historical exploration, the Battlefields Park in Quebec City offers complementary insights into the province's British past. Nature lovers can continue to the Bic National Park in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. For a cross-Canada journey, Banff National Park in the Rockies provides a striking contrast.

Frequently asked questions

Planning your trip

Uplands is an ideal stop for a cultural visit to the Eastern Townships, to be combined with Sherbrooke and surrounding heritage villages. To build a comprehensive itinerary throughout the province and beyond, consult our Canada travel suggestions.