Woodchester Villa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodchester Villa |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| Location | 15 King St, Bracebridge, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 45°02′24″N 79°18′18″W / 45.039961°N 79.305045°W |
| Completed | 1882 |
| Client | Henry J. Bird |
| Type | Provincial Heritage Easement Property |
| Designated | 1981-03-16 |
| Reference no. | HPON07-0048 |
Woodchester Villa, also known as The Bird House, is a special old building in Bracebridge, Ontario. It's called an "octagon house" because it has eight sides, which is quite unusual! This historic home sits right by the Muskoka River. It was built a long time ago in 1882.
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A Unique Home
Woodchester Villa was built for Henry J. Bird, who made woolen products. The house is very strong. Its walls are made of concrete and are about 16 inches thick! Some walls are 4.5 meters wide, and others are 5 meters wide.
Saving a Piece of History
Over the years, the house changed hands. In 1977, the Bracebridge Rotary Club decided to save this unique building. They bought it from Henry J. Bird's family. After buying it, the Rotary Club worked hard to fix it up. They restored the building to its former glory.
On March 13, 1980, the Rotary Club gave the restored Woodchester Villa to the Town of Bracebridge. Soon after, on June 22, 1980, it opened as a local history museum. People could visit and learn about the area's past.
New Beginnings
Sadly, the museum closed in 2009. A big winter storm caused damage to the building, making it unsafe for visitors. But the story didn't end there! In 2012, new restoration work began. Both the building and its surrounding area were improved.
After a lot of planning and hard work, Woodchester Villa reopened in June 2018. It was given a new purpose: "Woodchester, Where Events Take Shape." Today, people can rent the building for meetings, private parties, and other special events. It's a beautiful place for people to gather and celebrate.
Protecting Woodchester Villa
Woodchester Villa is an important part of Ontario's history. It is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust. This means it's a special heritage property that needs to be preserved. The Town of Bracebridge also has a municipal heritage designation for the building. These protections help make sure Woodchester Villa stays safe for future generations to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Villa Woodchester para niños
- List of octagon houses
