I have a fascination with old stone houses. I suppose I am not alone. We decided to visit the oldest one in Peterborough, Ontario, "The Hutchison House."
The house itself was built in 1837 for Dr. John Hutchison, a Scotsman, who became the first resident doctor in Peterborough.
A cousin of Dr. Hutchison, Sir Sanford Fleming resided in the house when he was 18 at age eighteen.
The Hutchison family remained in the house until 1847 when Dr. Hutchison succumbed to typhus while treating patients.
In 1851 the house was sold to a well-known local merchant, James Harvey. It would remain in the Harvey family until 1969, at which point it was donated to Peterborough's historical society.
The house itself is very interesting and has been restored with artifacts from the original occupants as well as replicas. This was done to recreate the ambiance of what it would have been like to live in the mid-19th century.
Unfortunately the guide we had was not that well versed in the history of the house so the visit fell flat. I would have loved to hear more about the history of the era and how the families that lived there fit into life in the area at that time.
The house boasts a Scottish tea and scones served in the afternoons on the patio. If you partake in this event the visit to the museum is included in the fee. We chose to just visit the house itself so I cannot comment on the tea.
Not the best of My Menie Meanderings but with the right guide it could have been a very interesting.
The house itself was built in 1837 for Dr. John Hutchison, a Scotsman, who became the first resident doctor in Peterborough.
A cousin of Dr. Hutchison, Sir Sanford Fleming resided in the house when he was 18 at age eighteen.
The Hutchison family remained in the house until 1847 when Dr. Hutchison succumbed to typhus while treating patients.
In 1851 the house was sold to a well-known local merchant, James Harvey. It would remain in the Harvey family until 1969, at which point it was donated to Peterborough's historical society.
The house itself is very interesting and has been restored with artifacts from the original occupants as well as replicas. This was done to recreate the ambiance of what it would have been like to live in the mid-19th century.
Unfortunately the guide we had was not that well versed in the history of the house so the visit fell flat. I would have loved to hear more about the history of the era and how the families that lived there fit into life in the area at that time.
The house boasts a Scottish tea and scones served in the afternoons on the patio. If you partake in this event the visit to the museum is included in the fee. We chose to just visit the house itself so I cannot comment on the tea.
Not the best of My Menie Meanderings but with the right guide it could have been a very interesting.