Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre

Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre Inc. is a non-profit organization housed in an historic Lennoxville residence. It is devoted to the preservation, support and expansion of the cultural and historical traditions of the Eastern Townships.

A verdant oasis in the centre of Lennoxville, Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre is a must-see destination for any visitors to the area, as well as a relaxing and pleasurable site for local residents to stroll through and enjoy. Surrounded by trees and well-groomed lawns, and enhanced by a sensational garden lovingly tended by Uplands volunteers and staff as well as the City of Sherbrooke, Uplands is one-of-a-kind in the Sherbrooke area.

The immaculately maintained Centre serves as a meeting place and networking centre for organizations and individuals intent on sharing the rich and diverse heritage of Lennoxville and its area. Through art exhibitions, craft shows, educational projects, lectures and workshops, its particular priorities are to support expressions of culture which are pluralistic, inter-generational and multi-cultural in nature, and which reflect the diversity of artistic approaches and craft traditions in the community.

Uplands is a unique cultural establishment: we exhibit the works of local and regional artists, offer workshops, activities, world famous English Tea, and concerts. We also display an impressive collection of antiques belonging to the Lennoxville-ascot Historical and Museum Society, with which we have shared the space since 2000. In addition, Uplands is considered as "home" to a number of community organisations.

What’s new at Uplands?

Upcoming and Current Exhibits July 12 to September 2, 2018 Sara Peck Colby, painter Vernissage: July 12, 2018 (5-7pm) September 9 to October 28, 2018 Denis Palmer, watercolorist Vernissage: September 9, 2018 (2-4pm) Outdoor exhibition space and English Tea project: Last year, Uplands inaugurated a new outdoor exhibition space, located in the woods just beyond the house, for the exhibit Regalia, native pride. The concrete platforms built by the city of Sherbrooke for this event are reusable for future exhibits, and presently form the bases for our original Uplands exhibit, English Tea, a Treasured Heritage. Eleven double sided, weather-resistant panels tell the story of the English tea tradition, using the actual words of local tea aficionados, and highlighted by outstanding colour photographs of tea-related items and restored historical black and white photos. In addition to the current exhibit, the goals of the English Tea project include documenting practices linked to tea in the Eastern Townships, developing new tools for promotion and interpretation and the creation of a new range of cultural activities around the experience of the English Tea.

Tea Time at Uplands, the TV show! With the help of many volunteers, Uplands is currently working with the Videotron community channel Matv on the creation of a new, 12 part English language TV series called "Tea Time at Uplands," to be broadcast weekly beginning September 24. Highlighting the special contributions of the English-speaking community to this area, the series will be presented in an interview format over, of course, tea at Uplands. Be sure to watch, and you’ll spot many of your friends and neighbours talking about sports, education, volunteerism, community involvement, local businesses, and so much more.

The Red Barn

The magnificent red barn located behind the house and fronting the parking lot, will be the scene of extensive renovations in the coming years, turning it into a four season venue, thus expanding Uplands’ capacity for concerts, exhibits and many other activities.

Some historical notes

Uplands enjoyed a rich history long before it became the cultural centre it is today. John Barney Paddon built the first Uplands house on a 120-acre site in 1862. After Paddon's death, the property passed to one of his daughters, the wife of Canon Archibald Campbell Scarth of Lennoxville's St. George's Church. After Scarth passed on, the property was sold to a family friend, Arthur Speid, in 1919. A community leader, twice mayor, school board member and avid photographer, he was also active in local theatre. Arthur Speid passed away in 1974 and, following the death of his wife in 1979, family members lived in the house until 1987.

The history of Uplands then mingles with that of the Lennoxville-ascot Historical and Museum Society (LAHMS) - a group that still plays a fundamental part in the Centre's ongoing operations. LAHMS began the steps to acquire Uplands in 1985, and the house and the property were purchased from the Speid family in 1987 by LAHMS and the Town of Lennoxville. It was LAHMS that initiated the ongoing traditions of art exhibitions, workshops and traditional English teas.

In 2000, the Town of Lennoxville bought LAHMS' share of the property, and a new organization was created, the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre. As part of the agreement, LAHMS was granted use of the second floor of the main building, the attic, and a portion of the barn.

2018 Fundraising Campaign

Uplands is directly dependent on donations for many of its activities. You can make an online donation directly from our website, by clicking on the Canadahelps.org button, and following the directions.

For complete information about Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre, drop in at 9 Speid St., Sherbrooke, (Lennoxville borough) during opening hours or visit our website at http/www.uplands.ca. You can also call Uplands at 819-564-0409, or drop us a line at info@uplands.ca. We’re happy to hear from you!