Burr House History

In 1820 Rowland Burr a local carpenter and millwright, built the original four-room stuccoed Ontario cottage of plank-on-plank construction. He later added a blacksmith's shop.

In 1836, the house was sold to Samuel Sanderson and then in 1844 to Thomas Boothby. Both Sanderson and Boothby ran blacksmith businesses on the property. In 1851, Boothby added three brick rooms, including a large kitchen with cooking fireplace and bake oven.

In 1872, the Boothbys sold the house, which was passed through a number of owners until George Wood bought it and lived there from 1897 until the late 1960's.

At that time, Cadillac Baif bought the land for a subdivision but the Burr House was subsequently acquired by the Town and renovated by the Historical society. It remains on the original site, at 528 Carville Road, now known as Woods Park.

In 1990, the Keefer Small House, a summer kitchen/woodshed was added on to the Burr House to provide a new entrance for it's current use as the Burr House Art and Craft Gallery and Tea room

Guild Hall History

In December of 1857, the Evangelical Association of North America built this church of Vertical plank construction. It served its congregation until 1882. At that time a 99 year lease was given to John Leece, who converted the church into a residence, shortening the tall windows and putting in a second floor.

John Prentice took over the lease in l893. He, in turn sold the property to Walter Bone in l901.

In l978, the building was raised from its foundations at the corner of Carville Road and Bathurst Street, and moved east to sit beside Burr House in Woods Park.

Alter much hard labour by dedicated volunteers from the Richmond Hill Historical Society, Hill Potters Guild and Burr House Spinners and Weavers, the building resumed its meeting house form, to serve as studios to the two craft guilds. It was officially opened as Guild Hall in the fall of 1982.