ideau Valley Conservation Authority has owned, operated five buildings in old Manotick for many years. These properties include Watson’s Mill, the Dickinson House, the Carriage Shed, the Ayers Building and the Weavers House which collectively make up the charming heritage core known as Dickinson Square.

Since 1971, RVCA has developed the buildings for office space for its growing natural resource conservation staff. Throughout the years, RVCA participated with community partners to deliver various heritage programs including the renovation of the mill to operating status, heritage programming and staffing in the mill, and the community festival known as Dickinson Days. In addition, as part of its need for more office space, RVCA has renovated and upgraded the infrastructure of the other four buildings. RVCA is proud of its legacy of heritage achievements in Manotick over the past 35 years.

RVCA staff occupies the Dickinson House, the Ayers Building, the Carriage Shed and the Weavers House. Watson’s Mill is an 1860 operating grist mill slightly modified for seasonal use with a gift shop. RVCA stabilized and renovated the Mill in the early 80s to bring it back to operating condition. Heritage tours and information was offered there throughout the 80s. Since 1997, community-based Watson’s Mill Manotick Inc. (WMMI) has managed and operated the Mill under a Management Agreement with RVCA. WMMI has had remarkable success in applying for and receiving restoration/operating grants and public donations to keep the Mill in operating and public access condition. Dickinson Square in general and Watson’s Mill in particular has become a village symbol. Watson’s Mill is the only working industrial site of its kind within the City of Ottawa.

RVCA is in the process of moving off of Dickinson Square to larger and more appropriate office space in 2007. To learn more about the RVCA's new headquarters at Beryl Gaffney Park, click here.