Willistead Manor facts for kids
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| Established | 1935 |
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| Location | Windsor, Ontario. |
| Type | historic house |
Willistead Manor is a beautiful historic house located in Windsor, Ontario. It used to be in a town called Walkerville, Ontario, which is now part of Windsor. This amazing building was designed to look like a grand English manor house from the 16th century.
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What is Willistead Manor?
Willistead Manor was built between 1904 and 1906. A famous architect named Albert Kahn designed it. The house was ordered by Edward Chandler Walker. He was the second son of Hiram Walker, who was a very well-known businessman.
A Grand Design
The manor was named after Edward's older brother, Willis Walker. Willis was a lawyer in Detroit who sadly passed away when he was young. Many people think Hiram Walker lived in the house, but he actually never did.
Who Lived There?
Edward Chandler Walker and his wife lived in Willistead Manor. They never had any children. After Edward passed away in 1915, his wife didn't want to live in the huge house all by herself. So, she gave the house and its large grounds to the town of Walkerville.
From Home to Public Space
In 1935, Walkerville joined with Windsor. When this happened, Windsor became the owner of Willistead Manor. After it stopped being a family home, Willistead Manor was used for many different things. It served as the Walkerville Town Hall, the Art Gallery of Windsor, and even a public library branch.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the City of Windsor thought about tearing down the mansion. They were worried about how much it would cost to fix and take care of such a big building. But people who cared about history stepped in and saved the house.
Willistead Manor Today
Today, Willistead Manor has 36 rooms. It is used as a special place for parties and events. The three-acre (about 12,000 square meters) grounds around the house are now part of a bigger public park.
Events and Fun
You can rent the house for different events. These include weddings, business meetings, and private parties. The manor is also decorated beautifully for the Christmas holidays. It's a great place to visit and learn about local history!
