Reford villa, c. 1915, Photographer unknown, Les Amis des Jardins de Métis Collection, NAC 211A-226.
© Musée McCord, Montréal, VIEW-8094.
Today, the Reford family is often associated with the famous gardens in Grand-Metis that Elsie Reford began in 1926 on a huge estate at the mouth of the Mitis River. Less widely known, the Refords also owned an impressive summer residence at Little Metis, a few kilometres east of the river.
Designed by Scottish-born architect Andrew Thomas Taylor for Robert Reford Sr. (father of Elsie’s husband, Robert Jr.), the villa was built by a local contractor in 1888‒1889. Born in Ireland, Robert Reford Sr. was a pillar of the Montréal business community, mainly active in maritime shipping. He also served on several boards of directors, including for the Bank of Toronto and Lake of the Woods Milling. He lamented his irregular visits to Métis.
The entirely wood villa was built in the Shingle style, which was popular in the United States at the time. The choice of materials (thinly cut cedar shingles) and the originality of the design (each façade is different) display this influence.
Robert Reford’s decedents frequented this summer villa until it burned in 1976.