Willistead Manor to open its doors to residents free of charge in July
The City of Windsor is keeping the celebration of Hiram Walker’s 206th birthday going by offering residents a chance to tour the historic Willistead Manor and the new coach house free of charge.
The city is offering public summer tours of the manor and Coach House Historical Exhibition throughout the month of July on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Tour dates:
- Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Sundays, July 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m.
“We are always proud to showcase Willistead Manor, and certainly there is renewed interest with the recent unveiling of the new Coach House Historical Exhibition. I am amazed at the transformation in the space, with the Coach House becoming the latest satellite location in the Museum Windsor family of sites where our stories are shared,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said.
Willistead Manor was built for Hiram Walker’s second son, Edward Chandler Walker, the founder of the distillery, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Griffin Walker in 1906. It was designed by noted Detroit architect Albert Khan who built the Manor House, Coach House and the Gate House on the 15-acre estate.
The manor was designed in the 16th century Tudor-Jacobean style and was named after Edward’s late brother Willis. The Walkers lived there until Edward’s death in 1915. He was buried in St. Mary’s churchyard across the street.
Today, the 36-room mansion is used as an event venue for weddings, receptions, theatre performances, and poetry readings, among others.
“Today’s Windsor would be a shadow of itself without the indelible contributions of Hiram Walker, Edward and Mary Walker, and the Walker Family. Edward and Mary built Willistead Manor, which became one of the greatest gifts our community has ever received,” Dilkens said. “Now, guests touring the site can begin at the Coach House, learning about the man who built the community of Walkerville, the son of Hiram who built the manor, and the woman who worked on it right alongside him. We are grateful to the Merinoff Foundation who funded the exhibition, to the descendants of Hiram Walker, Willistead Manor Inc., and the Friends of Willistead. I invite everyone to visit to learn the story of the man, the family, and the home that shaped a community.”
With the regular tour fee waived, the city is asking guests to instead donate a minimum $2 donation on-site to the Friends of Willistead, a volunteer group that supports events and activities at Willistead Manor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.