Annandale National Historic Site facts for kids
Annandale House
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| Location | 30 Tillson Avenue Tillsonburg, Ontario Canada N4G 2Z8 |
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| Official name: Annandale House / Tillsonburg Museum National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1997 |
Annandale National Historic Site is a special place in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada. It is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. This beautiful house was built in 1880 by Edwin Delevan Tillson and his wife, Mary Ann. Edwin Tillson was the first mayor of Tillsonburg, and his father, George Tillson, founded the town.
The Tillsons moved into Annandale House in 1883. The inside of the house is like a time capsule, showing off the "Aesthetic Art Movement" style from the Victorian era. This unique interior design is why Annandale House was named a National Historic Site in 1997. It's one of the best examples of this style left in Canada.
What is the Aesthetic Art Movement?
The Aesthetic Art Movement started in England and became very popular in North America during the 1880s. It was popular for about ten years. This movement was all about creating beauty for its own sake. Artists and designers believed that art should be beautiful, even if it didn't have a deep meaning.
Important people who followed this movement included the architect John Ruskin and the designer William Morris. The American painter James Whistler and the famous writer Oscar Wilde were also big supporters. Annandale House is filled with decorations that show off this style from the 1880s. You can see Aestheticism in the wall coverings, painted ceilings, fireplaces, and even in the stained glass and carved wood.
Oscar Wilde's Influence on Annandale House
Oscar Wilde, a famous Irish writer, poet, and playwright, was a strong supporter of the Aesthetic Art Movement. In 1882, he gave a lecture called The House Beautiful in Woodstock, Ontario. During his talk, he encouraged people to find beauty in their everyday lives. He said, "Find your subjects in everyday life; your own men and women, your own flowers and fields, your own hills and mountains, these are what your art should represent to you."
Mary Ann Tillson, Edwin Tillson's wife, went to this lecture. She was very interested in what Oscar Wilde said. When she decorated her new home, Annandale House, she used many of his ideas. She mixed everyday objects and nature-inspired designs with traditional Victorian styles. This made Annandale House a truly special and beautiful home.
See also
- Aestheticism
- Doors Open Canada
- Oscar Wilde
- Tillsonburg
