Woodchester Villa
Encyclopedia
Woodchester Villa, as known as The Bird House, is an historic octagon house
located at 15 King Street overlooking the Muskoka River
in Bracebridge
, Ontario
. It was built in 1882 and was the home of woolen manufacturer Henry J. Bird. Its walls alternate between 4.5 metres and 5 metres in width. In 1977 the Bracebridge Rotary Club took steps to preserve the property by buying it from the descendants of Henry J. Bird. After restoring the building, it was turned over to the Town of Bracebridge on March 13, 1980. On June 22, 1980, it was opened as a local history museum.
It is protected by an Ontario Heritage Trust
heritage conservation easement and is subject to a municipal heritage designation by the Town of Bracebridge.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Octagon house
Octagon houses were a unique house style briefly popular in the 1850s in the United States and Canada. They are characterised by an octagonal plan, and often feature a flat roof and a veranda all round...
located at 15 King Street overlooking the Muskoka River
Muskoka River
The Muskoka River is a river in the Muskoka District of Ontario, Canada.It rises in the highlands of Algonquin Park and flows southwest through a number of lakes including*Lake Muskoka*Lake Joseph*Lake Rosseau*Lake of Bays...
in Bracebridge
Bracebridge, Ontario
Bracebridge is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality of Ontario, Canada.The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town, and is known for its other nearby waterfalls . It was first incorporated in 1875...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. It was built in 1882 and was the home of woolen manufacturer Henry J. Bird. Its walls alternate between 4.5 metres and 5 metres in width. In 1977 the Bracebridge Rotary Club took steps to preserve the property by buying it from the descendants of Henry J. Bird. After restoring the building, it was turned over to the Town of Bracebridge on March 13, 1980. On June 22, 1980, it was opened as a local history museum.
It is protected by an Ontario Heritage Trust
Ontario Heritage Trust
The Ontario Heritage Trust is a non-profit agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, responsible for protecting, preserving and promoting the built, natural and cultural heritage of Canada's most populous province. It was initially known as the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board...
heritage conservation easement and is subject to a municipal heritage designation by the Town of Bracebridge.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.
External links
- Woodchester Villa - official museum site
- The Restoration of Woodchester Villa