Friends of Willistead Manor, Windsor, Ontario ~ The History

The History of Willistead Manor
Willistead Manor was built in 1906 for Edward Chandler Walker, the second son of Hiram Walker, founder of the world-renowned distillery.

Willistead is the creation of Albert Kahn, a noted Detroit architect of the day. Kahn built three buildings on the 15-acre estate: the manor house, the coach house and the gatehouse. Designed in the 16th century Tudor-Jacobean style of an English Manor House, the main building was begun in 1904.

No expense was spared in the materials or labour used. The exterior of gray limestone, quarried in Amherstburg, was hand cut at the Willistead work site by Scottish stonemasons specifically imported for the project.

Friends of Willistead Manor, Windsor Ontario

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Chant Photography

Willistead Manor, Windsor, Ontario interior

Edward and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Griffin Walker, moved into Willistead in 1906. In deciding a name for his estate, Edward commemorated his older brother Willis, who had died some years before.
Edward Walker lived in Willistead only nine years, until his death in 1915. He was buried in St. Mary's churchyard across the street from his property on Niagara Street. In 1921, five years after the death of her husband, Mary Walker and the heirs of Edward Chandler Walker's estate deeded Willistead to the town of Walkerville. Upon amalgamation of the Border Cities in 1935, the City of Windsor fell heir to this magnificent gift from the past.

The house can be rented for occasions such as weddings, corporate meeting and private parties. The house is also decorated for the Christmas holiday by The Friends of Willistead and opened to the public. We conduct tours for a modest cost per person. Tours are booked through the Manor office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Interested in a tour? Call the Manor office at 519-253-2365.

Learn more about the Willistead Manor at City of Windsor website | RETURN TO HOMEPAGE

	Queen Victoria Fountain is located behind Willistead Manor and commemorates the completion of the sixtieth year of the glorious reign of her most gracious majesty Queen Victoria. The fountain was a gift from Hiram Walker & Sons Limited to the people of Walkerville.
	Paul Martin Gardens In September, 1996, the Paul Martin Gardens - a floral memorial to the late Senator Paul Martin - was officially opened. A Windsor resident, Desi Colussi, has donated a perennial garden that he has been developing for 30 years. Here you can also find the Nell Martin Rose, a rose developed and dedicated to Mrs. Martin.
	Armillary sphere sundial The sundial is located in The Right Honourable Paul Martin Gardens, to the east of Willistead Manor. The Armillary sphere sundial was donated by Royal Canadian Legion Zone A1 - 1996.
	Willistead Park The property surrounding Willistead Manor, contains over 300 trees, including Windsor's only persimmon, a tree native to the southern United States. As well, the park boasts a rare Shumard oak, several Kentucky coffee trees, London Plane, Chestnut, European Elm and Tree of Heaven.

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