Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Hillary House https://livinginaurora.ca Living In Aurora Ontario Canada Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:51:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 Hillary House Getting Musical, Young & Beautiful Auroran Talent – Matina Z https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-getting-musical-young-beautiful-auroran-talent-matina-z/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-getting-musical-young-beautiful-auroran-talent-matina-z/#comments Fri, 27 Sep 2013 18:12:54 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=11086 House. Oops summer is gone, I almost forgot. Last few days we have been experiencing a beautiful weather all around, summer like weather.

Matina Z, Celebrate Aurora, Performing at the Town Park back in July.

Matina Z, Celebrate Aurora, Performing at the Town Park back in July.


Music at the Manor, sunny, fun event in town with live music. Yes more live music with Thursday Night Jam and a local rocker Matina Z this Saturday, September 28, 2013. And if you are a curious person Hillary House is a definitely good site to explore and learn more about local history while music plays.

I briefly met Matina Z at the celebrate Aurora event back in July. Amazed with her performance and stamina I didn’t take my photo shoot for granted. If you up to for some good live music, Matina Z is a must see performance, she is young and beautiful and a local Aurora rocker.

Someone asked me once where do I find all these bands to photograph. Well it all started with Music in the Park back in June this year and since then I didn’t stop listen to the music. Invitations were flowing in constantly. What I really meant I didn’t stop the camera trigger. There is always first time and that was my first to get to know more about music in the York Region and meet lot of wonderful people.

It really been fun and exciting summer for me and for sure for Aurora. I got to know so many people, learn more about bands/musicians that for me did not exist, and I am definitely looking forward to the next summer. Perhaps you will be looking forward as well.

Musician Performing At Hillary House

Musician Performing At Hillary House

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-getting-musical-young-beautiful-auroran-talent-matina-z/feed/ 0 Hillary House Full of Hidden Treasures, Be Curious It’s Fun https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-full-of-hidden-treasures-be-curious-its-fun/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-full-of-hidden-treasures-be-curious-its-fun/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 17:12:07 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=10618 Apparently, there were many hidden treasures hidden away and now are exhibited.

The Hillary House is now open for the season so definitely you can check it out for yourself and explore, be curious and have fun.

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


I always considered myself a bookworm. I find books and journals more interesting than any thing else, but that is a personal preference. The reason – books are not just historical objects that age, books tell the stories. Even if it is a simple recipe – this is what they ate.

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


What else is interesting about old books is the writing style. We don’t write like that anymore, as a matter fact with the introduction of texting we made our words even shorter, or we write acronyms to communicate. We live in the fast changing world.

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


History is fascinating, the change, the similarities – what you see in the Hillary House will never be encountered again. Hillary House will always will be a unique place. It was a doctor’s office but it was also a house to many families that lived there and left memories behind. In some cases memories that we will never know.

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


I must say that I also enjoyed Art of the Manor 2013 exhibiting original artwork by Elena Yim, Kallista Haughey and Nancy Falconi inspired by the medical collection of Hillary House. Check out more photos from Hillary House on my Facebook page.

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario

Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


Hillary House National Historic Site, Aurora, Ontario


]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-full-of-hidden-treasures-be-curious-its-fun/feed/ 4 Art At The Manor 2013, Put Your Creativity To Test https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/art-at-the-manor-2013-put-your-creativity-to-test/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/art-at-the-manor-2013-put-your-creativity-to-test/#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:58:14 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=9729 So I got an idea. Perhaps this may be a good time that I try something new with my photography just here on my blog while talking about this great opportunity.

I have seen it others do it, but I didn’t want to break the rule for my photo journal blog. Digital art is fun, I have done it before and since I don’t know how to use a real paint brush, I still have the opportunity to mess with the pixels on the screen.

Hillary House, National Historic Site, A Sketch


Well, if you an artist and love the challenge – Art at the Manor 2013 presented by the Aurora Historical Society is just for you (check the their website for more details). I got excited about the range of categories included (Oils & Acrylics, Textile, Watercolour, Encaustic, Drawing/Illustration, Printmaking, Photography, Time-Based/Video, Digital Media, Mixed Media, Sculpture etc).

A real fun project to be involve in. Unfortunately, timing for me didn’t work out this year as we have been battling flu season and poor Matthew ended up with pneumonia this time. I am also getting more web development projects to work on and more photo projects around the town.

However, it is not too late for you to get involve, and let me tell you – you don’t have to be an artist. This is a great opportunity to test your creativity and evolve. We all have it somewhere hidden and at some point we should let out to the surface.

Hillary House, Barn, National Historic Site, Town of Aurora


Well, here are some of my digital enhancements – Hillary House converted to a digital sketch and the barn turned to black and white and playing with contrast. I kind of like that idea so I think I may try to introduce a bit of that type of art here on my blog.

Sometimes I feel like I photographed everything in Aurora, but that is only feeling, because I have not seen everything yet. I have a feeling that my photo journey will be taking forever here. Window of opportunities – endless.

Window, Town Park, Town of Aurora


Well, hope you liked the window above. I let you guess which building this window belongs to. Small clue – taken at the Town Park.

Perhaps this is a great opportunity to mention the Hillary House Ball event that happened back in the October. I think I never mentioned it here yet, but I had an opportunity to showcase some of my photography – a big panel photos, about 10 of them, were displayed at the event at the DiNardo’s The Mansion.

However, I would like to give a credit to the person who took time to present them. Whoever did it was brilliant. Note the window photo and the door of the Hillary House behind stage where the band played. I recall just staring at it. It was a neat idea because of the size of the photo it felt like someone could easily walk in or walk out through that door, or peek through the window. Well done.

Hillary House Ball, Photo Panels, October 2012


Hillary House, Panel Photo, Fall, National Historic Site, Town of Aurora

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/art-at-the-manor-2013-put-your-creativity-to-test/feed/ 0 Christmas 2012, A Poem by Elizabeth Milner https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-2012-a-poem-by-elizabeth-milner/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-2012-a-poem-by-elizabeth-milner/#comments Sun, 23 Dec 2012 01:18:41 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=9619 She writes her Christmas poem every year – a very nice tradition of hers.

I never used to be a big fan of poems, however, I have a feeling she got me hooked. All I can say to this poem is ‘exactly’. This is how I have been feeling for many many years and I am glad to know that I am not the only one.

Poinsettia, Tim Hortons


Christmas 2012

Christmas came upon me so I made this appeal.
I had to let dear Santa know how I’ve come to feel.

Dear Santa:

Please don’t send me anything this Christmas.
I’ve got a pile of stuff that I don’t need.
Put me on your 25th ride, “To Miss List.”
I’ve even got enough books I can read.

It isn’t that I’ve lost the Christmas spirit,
I do agree with family, friends and joy,
But now when Christmas comes again I fear it.
I’ll never use more gloves, and big kid toys.

So send me some good wishes in my stocking
And add a piece of something sweet to eat,
Some lovely music played and good times talking
Plus a kiss and hug will be my cherished treat.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Milner is the author of the Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, a book I use a lot as a reference especially when I go on my photo adventures around the town.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-2012-a-poem-by-elizabeth-milner/feed/ 2 Hillary House Architectural & Fundraising Victorian Style Ball Details https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-architectural-fundraising-victorian-style-ball-details/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-architectural-fundraising-victorian-style-ball-details/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:51:17 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8770

I have also created an event website for the Hillary House fundraising ball. Hillary House Ball is a Victorian style evening dinner dance event. Tickets are still on sale and the funds raised will go towards all the needs and necessities at the Hillary House – mainly restoration. The Hillary House Ball will be in honour of 150th Anniversary. Yes just 150 years ago in 1862 Hillary House was constructed. The ball is scheduled for Friday, the October 19th, 2012.

Hillary House was a treat to photograph. Architectural details everywhere. I used my macro lens to photograph and capture some of the smallest details. I was especially intrigued by the door. Door is a door – used everyday. Soon as I put my eye against the viewfinder I was amazed with the colors, textures and details – and I found the prefect keyhole.

Hillary House, A Door Keyhole


I also noticed all this writing all around the door on the brick. I was told that the names written were actually related to Hillary family. Some of the dates on the signatures were pretty old.

No doubt you can see lot of deterioration on the Hillary House. But let’s face it my house is deteriorating too, especially the side facing direct sun. Direct ultraviolet sun can cause lot of damage, especially to the houses old like Hillary House which is not made of anything close to engineering materials that can withstand harsh weather, just made of plain wood.

And there is the barn. So I had the windows surrounded with wine red planks in mind for sure, but the slider mechanism at the big sliding barn door caught my eye. What an interesting feature. The rust and the little bit of sun shining through the tree tops let me snap this mechanical part and enhance it beauty.

If you ever at the grounds, the front face of the barn is not everything. There are some interesting window frames on the back to look or photograph.

So this is all for the outside adventure. To get more out of your trip to the Hillary House you must visit inside – totally different world. If you like to look at the old artifacts the house is full of that – from medical instruments to personal items of Hillary family.

Personally I start noticing Hillary House in 2008, but I have been there in the early 2000 when my brother-in-law got married and the wedding photo shoot was outside and on the veranda of the Hillary House. I was in the bridal party. Funny how things go, first picture with Hillary House and now taking pictures of.

IMG_7848_HillaryHouse Hillary House, A Keyhole IMG_7893_HillaryHouse IMG_2423_bHillaryHouse IMG_2420_HillaryHouse IMG_7519_HillaryHouse IMG_7634_HillaryHouse IMG_7697_HillaryHouse IMG_7703_HillaryHouse IMG_7773_HillaryHouse IMG_7807_HillaryHouse IMG_7876_HillaryHouse ]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/hillary-house-architectural-fundraising-victorian-style-ball-details/feed/ 0 Meeting Elizabeth Milner, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/meeting-elizabeth-milner-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/meeting-elizabeth-milner-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:47 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=6976 neighbors commented on the last post identifying the barn guide as the young remarkable 13 year boy, Geoffrey Sharp.

I just want to acknowledge his efforts again and how wonderful it was to see all the support and encouragement he received from his family and friends.

Hillary House


The visit to the Hillary house wasn’t just seeing the Hillary House after all. By the end of the day I looked back – it was all about the people and the Hillary House made it happen – interesting phenomena that worked.

Elizabeth Milner Signing My Book


That day I came to the Hillary House to meet Elizabeth Milner for the first time. She didn’t know I was coming and I didn’t know if I will be there. When I finally arrived, I brought my own copy of Elizabeth’s book Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change to be signed. After all it was through her book we connected and have been corresponding since last year September.

What can I tell you about her? We all know that Elizabeth is a historian, teacher and writer but do we know that she is also a very friendly, funny, charming and charismatic lady. Yes I do know now and I am telling you that she is.

I wish that all my past history teachers were like that as I wouldn’t have any difficulty with all the dates, events and leaders memorization. There is a lot to learn when comes to European history so may be that is why the European system had us to learn history right from grade four in elementary school.

Elizabeth Milner with David Heard


As you can see I wasn’t the only one meeting Elizabeth for the first time. David Heard met Elizabeth for the first time that day and I over heard that he read her book ONLY four times.

Musician Performing At Hillary House


Looking at the picture of the musician performing that day at the Hillary House it only make sense to share with you an important musical history event Elizabeth shared with me via email.

She wrote: ‘The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Louise McDowell, actually Sara Louise McDowell, who lived in Aurora at various times, and was related distantly to the Willis family, was taught piano by Edward Fisher the founder of the Conservatory. She was one of the first students at the Conservatory which opened in Septenber of 1887.

In her last years she lived on Reuben Street on the north east corner of Temperance Street. I wrote about her in Aurora 1945-1965 on pages 31 to 34. I called her Aunt Louie, but she wasn’t actually my aunt. She died at 93 in 1965 and is buried in Aurora Cemetery.‘

This is only an excerpt from Elizabeth’s book about Louise McDowell, who was a musician, teacher and writer as well. Yes Louise McDowell also wrote a book, Past and Present: A Canadian Musician’s Reminiscences, potentially the next book on my list to read.

Hillary House


Speaking of writing books, Elizabeth Milner is working on the second book consisting of stories about Aurora during the same period 1945-1965, and in the near future it will be great addition to my Aurora books collection. A collection of two books only – second being AURORA A History in Pictures by W. John McIntyre.

John McIntyre Talking To Elizabeth Milner

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/meeting-elizabeth-milner-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/feed/ 0 The Boy Guide At The Barn, 150th Anniversary Of The Hillary House https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/the-boy-guide-at-the-barn-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/the-boy-guide-at-the-barn-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 02:45:17 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=6985 that is too much years‘ as he did say the same last week to his grandfather who was celebrating his 75th birthday.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


Last weekend it was my first and very first visit inside the Hillary House. However, I did step on the side porch before for the photo shoot during my brother’s in-law wedding – I was part of the bridal party.

Oh and of course I was in the front of the barn as well when they made us do silly things for the video – not too silly but never again especially on the historical grounds. So I do have a small personal connection here.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


I really enjoyed the inside visit and I took few pictures, but I also enjoyed the barn on the back of the property. When I came closer there was a young guide who was telling interesting facts about the barn.

I will take a guess, the guide was 11 or 13 years old boy. He knew his stuff very well and when he did not he proudly took his notes to get the information. I was impressed so were the others.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


When I was taking pictures, he was also approached by the older man who asked him what can he tell him about the place. Judging the man, and that is my observation only, he asked boy questions and probably did not anticipate anything interesting. When the boy finished, the man nodded his head and smiled at him.

The boy may never remember this incident, but I will.

The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


It was really nice to see the young generation volunteering their time for the 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House event. I almost was disappointed when minutes before I encountered two or three boys running around the Hillary House.

I just had this terrible picture in my mind them knocking down something valuable. On the contrary, I was glad to see a young boy doing something right.

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


Nothing unusual when I looked inside the barn as I did see many barns before. However, just that one thing hanging on the wall looking like a bat got me interested – not sure what it is? A big chain hanging on the side wall and some barn tools were inside as well.

I didn’t find lucky horseshoe anywhere. May be there wasn’t one?

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


And if I heard the boy correctly, the grounds keeper slept or lived in the barn. I usually have difficulty listening and taking pictures at the same time – may be one day there will be a voice recording option for my camera.

The Barn - Inside, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


Around The Barn, 150th Anniversary of the Hillary House, Aurora


I am glad that I was able to sneak out that day to visit the Hillary House. I definitely will be back for more photos. However, my intention for the visit that day was to meet someone, and I will tell you in the next post who that mystery person was.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/the-boy-guide-at-the-barn-150th-anniversary-of-the-hillary-house/feed/ 14 Town Of Aurora In Paintings, 50th Annual Juried Art Show https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/town-of-aurora-in-paintings-50th-annual-juried-art-show/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/town-of-aurora-in-paintings-50th-annual-juried-art-show/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 05:04:20 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=6828 York Region Artists.

George Browning House, Hillary House, Aurora Cultural Centre, Train Station and Vic’s Shoe Repair among others were on display.

George Browning House, A Tuscan Villa in Aurora by Christine Valentini


Unfortunate, unfortunate and unfortunate that is, that we were not able to preserve the George Browning House, but it is fortunate that we were able at least preserve it in paintings and photography. When I spotted the Browning House in the corner I immediately thought of Christine Valentini who I got to know via emails – right on, it was her art.

I was a bit in the rush that day so I did not all the names. So if you see your painting or art here let me know your name and I will gladly add your name to your photographed art work.

The George Browning House by Samantha Jones


The Historic Hillary House by Ingrid Vija Brooks


Aurora Railroad Station by Irma Gutsch


Vic's Shoe Repair. Aurora 50th Annual Juried Art Show

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/town-of-aurora-in-paintings-50th-annual-juried-art-show/feed/ 2 Aurora Strategic Plan, Focus On How, Less On What, Hint Do Heritage Retrofits https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/aurora-strategic-plan-focus-on-how-less-on-what-hint-do-heritage-retrofits/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/aurora-strategic-plan-focus-on-how-less-on-what-hint-do-heritage-retrofits/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:18:52 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=4918 how we are going to make our Aurora a better place to live in the next 20 years and it is up to the town to lead the project and provide us with the results of the strategic plan that is going to be implemented.

The idea of the strategic plan is a wonderful idea. Too many ideas for the strategic plan are not. It is easy to say we want this and that, but how we to do it is the hardest job.

Hillary House, Aurora


I wrote this post couple of weeks ago, Sheppard House Green Face Lift, Home To Windfall Ecology Centre. Let me talk about this again in the Aurora Strategic plan context. The Sheppard House is one of the heritage houses in Aurora and currently is undergoing a heritage retrofit program to reduce its energy consumption by about 75% while preserving its heritage aspect. The project is led by the Windfall Ecology Centre, the environmental non profit organization who is also residing in the Sheppard House.

I have educated myself more on their heritage retrofit program reading this excellent detailed 25 page assembled Guidebook.

On the side note, in this guidebook in addition to the Sheppard House photo (the model work), there is a photo of the Hillary House, a primary suspect for my recommendation.

Hillary House, Aurora


Aurora has a very rich history that needs preservation and regular maintenance. Aurora needs to fully engage the mentioned above heritage retrofit program. This item is a must for the Aurora strategic plan.

The recent two sad stories hovering in the town, the George Browning house potential demolition plan (a must read post 100 Watts : The George T. Browning House by Chris Watts) and Hillary House potential six hundred thousand refurbishment costs. The Hillary House was a total surprise to me. I hope these numbers are not just guess-estimated.

Hillary House, Aurora


Well, the strategic plan does not starts tomorrow. We must think about it now. Unfortunately, this written now will be yesterday’s now, and we are already a day behind.

Not sure if the George Browning house has a future, unless it is relocated but then the true heritage aspect will be broken. However, the heritage retrofit program would be excellent for Hillary House. But then would that be an additional cost to the six hundred thousand? Something I don’t know.

You can read the guidebook document yourself because underlines lot of excellent environmental benefits, not to mention the key message – it will preserve and conserve. Technologies are available and program is available. It may be experimental but I believe it is doable.

Hillary House, Aurora


So going back to the beginning of this post. It is always easy to start something from scratch, but of course if there is nothing in place. However, if we do have something in place such as heritage building and we up to for demolition (example Browning House), we often forget to think about or completely ignore the fact how much energy and resources it takes to demolish the old and build new standing structure.

Now we have an option, the retrofit program. It is now or tomorrow up to Town of Aurora to engage and may be offer additional incentives to the heritage building owners to drive the encouragement.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/aurora-strategic-plan-focus-on-how-less-on-what-hint-do-heritage-retrofits/feed/ 0