The fourth stop on the Florence Memorial Tour of Richards Landing is the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall. While Mrs. Florence Orrell never owned this hall, it was purchased with money she donated.

Located in the center of Richards Landing, this large building was purchased with the intent of opening a second Royal Canadian Legion on St. Joseph Island. Mrs. Florence Orrell's would only finance the purchase under the circumstances that the legion would be named in honour of Maurice Burnside, a World War 1 veteran, whom Mrs. Florence Orrell befriended.

The Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall has since become commercial space but the building still honours his legacy and Mrs. Florence Orrell's exceptional character.

(Crawford, 2000)

Mrs. Florence Orrell's donation to bring a Royal Canadian Legion Branch to Richards Landing has had a massive influence on the community lifestyle over 50 years later. The Island Clippings, St. Joseph Island's newspaper recognizes that the Royal Canadian Legion has served as the centre for community for various events and activities for the citizens of Richards Landing and all of St. Joseph Island.

(Island Clippings, 2015)

The Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall has provided a wide variety of services for the visitors and residents of Richards Landing. Located beside Richards Landing's Town Hall, the building is situated in the center of the community. Known as the "four corners" of Richards Landing, the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall has transformed from Richards Landing's first Royal Canadian Legion to become a desired location for commercial businesses.

Following the relocation of Legion Brach 374, the building has provided space for local entrepreneurs to open gift shops, ice-cream shops, art galleries and other businesses that support the community's economy. As of October 2020, the building is in the process of another transformation.

While the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall is no longer being used for what Mrs. Florence Orrell intended, the new owners have erected a nameplate outside the building entitled "The Burnside Building" to ensure Maurice Burnside is still honoured.

(Crawford, 2000)

Purchased from Louis Knowles in 1944 with money donated by Mrs. Florence Orrell. The building was given to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 325 which was already established in St. Joseph Island's southern community, Hilton Beach, with the vision of the opening a second legion site on St. Joseph Island.

Accepting Mrs. Florence Orrell's conditions that the building was to be named after World War 1 veteran, Maurice Burnside, Legion No. 325 opened Royal Canadian Legion No. 374 in Richards Landing. Acknowledging Mrs. Florence Orrell close relationship with Mr. Burnside and his family, the building was officially named the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall.

The inaugural meeting of Branch 374 was held on December 6, 1945 with members from notable families of Richards Landing past and present, such as: the Kents, the Cummings and the Underhills. The building served as Richards Landing's Royal Canadian Legion Branch 374 for 43 years from 1945 to 1988.

The buildings interior and exterior was upgraded numerous times between 1945 to 1988 by legion members and the women's auxiliary. Renovations included surrounding the building with a stone wall at the ground level, upgrading lighting, plumbing and the kitchen. The entrance to Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall was originally facing east, providing access from Richards Street. This was later changed to its current location, facing Downtown Richards Landing, known as the "four corners" entrance.

In 1988, Legion Brach 374 moved to its current location and was given a different name to honour.

In 2000, the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall was renovated into commercial space by new owners Bev and Brodie Smith, maintaining the building's prosperity and historical value.

(Crawford, 2000)

As of December 2020, the Maurice Burnside Memorial Hall is currently closed until further notice. The building is transitioning owners and undergoing renovations.

There is wheelchair/mobility scooter access attached to the west of the front porch.

Crawford, C. E. (2000). The Island Fairy Godmother: Florence Whaley Orrell. Sarn Farm Press.

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