Hillary House, Aurora

Hillary House, Aurora

Attractions

By: Cathy Molloy, Aurora Historical Society

Hillary House has stood beside busy Yonge St. for 140 years. Hillary House is a museum with a difference -- it contains most of its early contents.

Hillary House is a national historic site, one of Canada's most complete examples of picturesque Gothic Revival architecture. For medical historians, it has a remarkable collection of original instruments, equipment, and records pertaining to the four physicians who lived and practised here.

Dr. Walter B. Geikie had the house built for himself and his young family in 1862. In 1869, Geikie was drawn back to the city where he became a founder of Trinity Medical College, supervising the training of hundreds of young Canadian physicians at a time of rapid medical advancement.

Geikie sold his house and practice in Aurora to Frederick W. Strange who had emigrated to Canada from London and would go on to an illustrious career as a physician and teacher. He loved to entertain, which led to a major addition including “the ballroom.” This room was the first to be completely restored and today is resplendent with its original colours and ornate plaster ceiling.

In 1876, Dr. Strange also felt the call to Toronto. He sold the house to Dr. Robert William Hillary who, with his family, had lived in Aurora for some 20 years already. The Hillarys also added to the house, installing a bathroom in 1888, which today retains many of its early fixtures along with original plans by architect David Dick. Today, Dick is better known for major commissions such as the old University of Toronto library and the rebuilding of University College, but he also had a pioneering interest in sanitation and household plumbing.

The Hillarys called their house The Manor, but today the name Hillary House has become more familiar. Robert William's son, Robert Michael, took over his father's practice and raised his own large family here. Following Robert Michael's retirement just after World War I, Hillary House ceased to be a place for medical consultation. His own horrific experience as a surgeon during the War and the loss of his oldest son, Stuart, at Vimy, cut short the younger Dr. Hillary's career.

The Aurora Historical Society has determined to interpret Hillary House, its grounds, and barn as a place which depicts changes over time. Prominent among Hillary House's supporters have been Murray and Marvelle Koffler, whose own interest in health, medicine, and the arts has helped inspire additional donations. The site as a whole is known as Hillary House, The Koffler Museum of Medicine, in honour of their support. Tours and special events ensure the future of this national treasure.

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