Few historical sites can portray the bygone elegance and homey preoccupations of early Toronto as "Spadina," a soaring mansion flanked by handsome gardens typical of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Located three miles from the lakeside village of York (later Toronto), the present structure was completed in 1866 on the site of a summer villa built decades earlier. Furnished with distinction, Spadina House was planned and built for the prominent Toronto entrepreneur, James Austin (1813-97) and his wife, Susan Bright (1817-1907). They held countless balls and parties, a tradition that has been maintained at the present-day historical facility operated by the Ontario Heritage Foundation and the City of Toronto.
During restoration work on the house, it was discovered that Spadina's walls were covered in layers of rare coverings, some imported, others embossed - all crafted from fine materials and sporting original designs. The wall coverings have been responsible for considerable academic interest in the house's vestibules, reception rooms, library, sunroom and billiards salon.
Open year-round, Spadina plays host to interesting exhibitions and demonstrations. Considered a great outdoor venue, the house's six-acre garden is said to accommodate more than 300 varieties of vegetables and flowers. Two of Spadina's more popular annual events are the Garden Tours and Strawberry Social, featuring live music, children's activities, tours and more.
Visiting is by guided tour only. To see the house on a guided tour: Tours start in the house every 45 minutes, with the first tour starting at 12:15pm.
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