Pierre St-Cyr
Published online February 25, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
MANSFIELD – Excellent news for those hoping to soon see the George Bryson House regain some of its former splendour.
Mansfield-et-Pontefract municipal council agreed Feb. 4 to establish an agreement in principle naming the organization Phare Ouest as the new body responsible for developing cultural activities at the Bryson House estate.
The effects of this decision are already being felt at town hall, notably with the hiring soon afterward of Louis Harvey, one of Phare Ouest’s founders.
Since taking on the role, Harvey — working with municipal officials — has begun steps to prioritize and coordinate future actions. “We must proceed cautiously,” he said. “Before moving forward, it’s important to assess the situation and develop a credible, realistic action plan.”
To that end, Harvey and municipal director general Éric Rochon secured the preparation of a building condition report by an architect. The report will be submitted by the end of March to the Ministry of Culture and Communications’ Heritage Agreements Program, administered locally by the MRC Pontiac. Access to this funding is essential to preserve and enhance a key element of the region’s cultural heritage.
“The building needs attention,” Rochon said. “It must be repainted, but that’s not all. There is water infiltration, no ventilation fans, and limited access to upper floors for people with reduced mobility, among other deficiencies that will likely appear in the report.”
At the same time, Harvey secured funding from Culture Outaouais through its Tremplin program to hire a consultant to develop a master plan for the entire estate. Expected in June, the plan will propose tourism and cultural initiatives aimed at supporting local and regional economic development. The Bryson House Museum and the Christmas Market site are expected to play key roles.
Mayor Sandra Armstrong expressed optimism about the project. “The estate’s potential is enormous,” she said. “Its location, history, library, museum and rest stop all make it well positioned to become a major tourist destination.”
Armstrong added the municipality could not undertake the project alone. She said selecting Phare Ouest to plan and manage the redevelopment and cultural programming was a natural choice, citing its strong track record in supporting culture.
Harvey said the estate could undergo a significant transformation over the coming years. “We will need to wait for the construction of the new town hall before fully occupying the site,” he said. “But steps are already underway, and we expect to make important announcements in the near future that will quickly change the look of the estate.”
Photo – Bryson House at the centre of Mansfield-et-Pontefract’s cultural plans. (PSC)
