The Hermitage (Hamilton, Ontario) facts for kids
Ruins of The Hermitage in October 2020
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| Established | 1830 |
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| Location | Ancaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | historic house museum |
The Hermitage is an old, large house in Ancaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Today, it's mostly ruins, but it's part of the Hermitage and Gatehouse Museum. The Hamilton Conservation Authority takes care of it. This spot is popular for people who love to hike and those interested in ghost stories or the paranormal.
Contents
The Hermitage: A Look Back in Time
The Hermitage was first built in 1830. It was a big house located about two miles west of Ancaster, in a beautiful area called the Dundas Valley.
Early Owners and Their Stories
The third person to own the land was Otto Ives (1801–1835). He was an English officer who fought in the Greek War of Independence. This was a fight for Greece's freedom from the Ottoman Empire. Otto met Magdalene Diamanti, whose father was a governor on a Greek island. They got married in 1824 and moved to Ancaster by 1833. They also brought Magdalene's sister or niece with them. Otto Ives bought The Hermitage from the family of the first owner, George Sheed.
Building a Grand Estate
In 1853, a couple named George Gordon Browne Leith (1812–1887) and Eleanor Ferrier (1814–1900) bought The Hermitage. Over the next few years, they built a large stone house. They also added other buildings like a farmhouse, barns, and a special entrance lodge.
The Last Resident and the Fire
After Mrs. Leith passed away, her youngest daughter, Eleanor Alma Dick Lauder (1854–1942), bought the property. She lived there until 1934, when the big house was sadly destroyed by a fire. After the fire, she lived in a smaller house built right inside the ruins of the old one.
Visiting The Hermitage Today
Today, The Hermitage is part of the Hermitage and Gatehouse Museum. The Hamilton Conservation Authority looks after it. This museum is connected with other important groups like the Canadian Museums Association and the Virtual Museum of Canada. It's a great place to learn about local history and explore the outdoors.
