Whitehern Historic House – Highlights

For week 4 of my 52 weeks I went to the historic house museum in Hamilton, Whitehern. Despite having lived in Hamilton nearly all my life I’d never been to see it. Here were some of the highlights:

1. Tragic History

The McQuesten family had a tragic history which captivated us, the tour guide said he talked about it a lot longer than he normally does because we were so enthralled. Here’s the basics: the head of the family Dr. Calvin McQuesten started the first foundry in Hamilton, eventually this firm gained great success and became Sawyer-Massey Co. which is still in operation today. Dr. Calvin McQuesten was married three time and had two sons. When he passed away in 1885 his third wife, who treated the family horribly, was forced out of the house as per his will.  At this time his son Isaac Baldwin McQuesten from his second marriage took over the estate including the house, bringing with him his wife and children. With his death in 1888 Mary, Issac’s wife was left with their six children bankrupt. Mary kept the family in Whitehern and hid the fact that they were bankrupt. Through a series of unfortunate events (death, interference by their mother) none of the six ever children married.  The most notable among the six was Thomas who became a successful lawyer, local politician and at one time served as Minister of Public Works. He had a hand in building the Q.E.W highway, reconstructing the Forts in Niagara, and establishing many of the park in Hamilton including Kings Forest, Gage Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The children bequeathed the house to the City of Hamilton to remain a historic home. Seriously, I think someone should make a movie out of all the drama this family endured.

2. First Edition Library

How I love books! The library in Whitehern is filled with books, most of them first edition. The family loved reading that books were what they gave each other for gift. I was also interested to find out that some of the books have recently gone through deacidification treatments to ensure their preservation.

3. Expensive Details

The house’s details are amazing. Most of the expensive details were purchased by Dr. McQesten’s third wife, but were kept by Mary to ensure people were impressed by the family’s (non existent) wealth. My favourites were a window with glass made of gold and a huge grand piano.

4. Status as a Museum

In 1959 the three remaining resident of the house Calvin, Mary and Hilda sign an agreement with the city that the house will be donated after they have passed away as long as it acts as a museum. It is not until 1968 that the city get possession and the museum officially opened in 1971. This agreement is due to the hard work of Calvin, Thomas’ brother who arragned the papers and materials of Whitehern and pursued the agreement with the City after the house was briefly threatened with demolition for parking.