Our Past

Originally, John Silverthorn received a grant to improve the land about 1819, and a few years later, the property was purchased by Mr. Peter Chisholm Sr. who later constructed the present home. Built about 1852, Historic Bovaird House is an excellent Canadian example of a Georgian-type farmhouse, complete with nine bay front.

The house was later inherited by his son, Peter Renwick Chisholm and family (pictured left), who in turn passed the house and grounds on to his three children, who never occupied the house after that and rented the premises.

In 1929, James Bovaird purchased the grounds which were used for the breeding of world class thoroughbred horses. With eleven children of his own, he and his wife also never occupied this house and rented it out until Historic Bovaird House was eventually passed on to his son, William Bovaird. He also raised horses and was the Reeve of Chinguacousy Township in the 1940’s and respected Roads Superintendent for 20 years. He and his beloved wife Mossie were the first Bovairds to actually live in this farmhouse.

In 1973, the areas around the house underwent massive urban development, and William became evermore determined to preserve their house and property for the future generations’ enjoyment of this historic landmark from a bygone era. With no children of their own, he and Mossie made a 'surviving-member' agreement, whereby the estate would eventually be donated to the City of Brampton.

In 1985, widow Mossie sold the house and surrounding property to the city for the token sum of two dollars... we have the original cheque, as she never cashed it... today, and probably even back then, it is worth millions of dollars. Since then it has undergone extensive redecoration and has been greatly restored to its original appearance of the 1850–1900 era, with the addition of hundreds of period artifacts, costumes, memorabilia, tools, furnishings, pictures & paintings, tableware & utensils, linens, toys, weaving looms, spinning wheels, an antique sewing machine, a "state-of-the-art" wooden washing machine, and a one horse open sleigh... including the Jingle Bells, and many, many more items of historical interest.

Mossie and William Bovaird The official dedication of Historic Bovaird House took place on June 27th, 1990.

Since then, the "Friends of Historic Bovaird House Volunteers Committee" have been involved in the costly process of fully re-furnishing the house to the 1850-1900 time period, much through fund-raising events and most generous donations from appreciative visitors… such as yourself.

When you visit The House, please keep in mind that when our volunteers began their restoration, the farmhouse was entirely vacant: no furniture, no fixtures, no clothing, no memorabilia, no artifacts, no draperies, no mementos, no artwork and no history... totally empty rooms, wall-to-wall. Most visitors are completely awed by what has been accomplished in the last twenty years and... we've only just begun.

William and Mossie would be very, very proud of their heritage and the volunteers who have made this happen....
and, so should you.

Plan to visit with us soon and see for yourself.

Click on volunteer if you're interested in joining us...

Many artifacts on,loan from THE PEEL HERITAGE COMPLEX enhance the ambiance of Bovaird House. Brought into the house on a rotating basis are such items as an antique spinning wheel, wreaths, cupboard, farm tools and implements, lanterns and chamber pots.