Our History

Writing in Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings , (The Blue Mountain Foundations for the Arts, Collingwood, Ontario, 1974, pp.26, 27) Laurel Lane-Moore researched and documented the history of the Joseph Lawrence House as follows:

At first glance, this two-storey brick house appears to be a straightforward example of the popular Italianate style that caught the fancy of many well-to-do citizens in the late 1870s and 1880s. Its projecting frontispieces, segmental windows, brackets and double door with rectangular transom are characteristic of a number of Collingwood homes constructed or updated according to the architectural fashion of the early 1880s. The decorative brickwork, with its distinctive band courses of contrasting buff bricks, was likely the work of John Chamberlain, a talented English bricklayer who was responsible for much of the town's fanciful brick patterning.

Behind the neat façade, however, the remains of an early house speak of less prosperous times. The rear elevation, exposed to show the original frame construction, features small-paned windows and eaves returns, suggesting that a simple, two-storey frame house, built circa 1860, underwent a dramatic transformation in the latter part of the century. Inside, mouldings and door openings in the back portion of the house are considerably smaller than those found in the front section.

The original house was likely built by Joseph H. Lawrence, who acquired legal title to a large block of land surrounding the house in 1874. Lawrence, reputed to be the first settler in the town proper, came to Collingwood March 8, 1853, according to the Association of Collingwood Pioneers of which he was president. A reformer, Lawrence was appointed town clerk in 1858, a position which he held until his death in 1877. From his office in the old town hall, Lawrence also carried out a number of other jobs. According to Mitchell's Canada Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1864-65, he was town clerk, insurance agent, auctioneer, land agent. commissioner, and issuer of marriage licenses. In 1858, he also published a short-lived newspaper known as Collingwood Journal. At the time of the 1861 census, Lawrence, fifty-three, and his wife Sarah, had six daughters and one son. A man of culture noted for his fine penmanship, Lawrence brought one of the first pianos to town and his wife, Sarah, gave music lessons from her home for many years.

In his reminiscences of the early days published in the Huron Institute Papers and Records (Vol. II, 1914) John Nettleton recalled: “Mr. Lawrence's house was the furthest south and was all surrounded by bush. On one occasion we had hard work to save his house from being burned down by bush fires.” In 1875, Lawrence sold a large portion of his property to Andrew Melville and Thomas Fair, partners in the town's oldest dry goods operation. It was probably sometime in the early 1880s that the Lawrence house was altered dramatically.

In contrast to the simple, utilitarian building that Joseph Lawrence built, the new façade reflected the improved status of its occupants, with marble fireplace mantels, deep cornice mouldings, ceiling plaster medallions and finely etched coloured glass ornamenting the spacious front and back parlours.

After Thomas Fair's death in 1885, his widow, Elizabeth, renamed the firm E. Fair and Co. and with the help of her three sons, took over management of the company. The large property, known as the Fair Estate for many years, was sold to Mary and Richard Stephenson in 1922.

With no indoor plumbing or modern heating system, the five-bedroom house needed a great deal of work, and the Stephensons' daughter Muriel recalls that her father, the owner of several hotels, spent a considerable amount of money installing these conveniences. The “beautiful grounds” that once surrounded the house were subdivided into thirty-four lots and sold in the 1940s when wartime housing was needed.

Like the first lady of the house, Muriel Stephenson, a talented pianist who performed throughout the world, also taught music in the house for many years. Today, the stately residence, under new ownership, is home to an art gallery.

Since we assumed ownership of the Lawrence House, we have learned more about this grand old house and its previous occupants. Apparently there was considerable political intrigue associated with the incorporation of Collingwood in 1858. A reliable resource in the historical community informed us recently that although Joseph Lawrence was, indeed, the first official clerk of Collingwood who was not also a member of the Town Council, another citizen had, in fact, held that office before him, but only briefly. He was pressured by an influential group of political leaders to vacate his position in favour of Joseph Lawrence whom they preferred.

There was an incident requiring intervention by the police around 1975. At that time, the house was owned by a member of the McKay family who managed it as a boarding house. Several members of a local motorcycle gang were renting rooms. One of them apparently had offended the lady friend of a member of a rival gang in Wasago Beach. Members of the rival gang attempted to avenge the slight by breaking into the Lawrence House in the middle of the night. A noisy brawl ensued during which several people were injured. One either jumped out a second floor window while attempting to escape, or was pushed. A local resident commented recently that “he still doesn't walk right”. The house was trashed, and many windows were broken. Local police quickly surrounded the house and restored order.

Middle-aged and elderly people we have consulted usually refer to the Lawrence House as the Stephenson House. We attribute this to the fact that theirs is a living memory of the building, and because the Stephenson family was highly respected in the community, especially by the many people who visited it frequently because they were piano students of Muriel Stephenson. Several have revisited the Lawrence House recently to inspect our continuing renovation and restoration efforts. They have expressed fond appreciation that the house of their childhood memories has been restored and renovated to its present condition. Most of the credit for this must be attributed to Barbara and Patrick Kelly who, no doubt, rescued the old house from certain demolition. Neighbours continue to share their interesting recollections and recently we have received some old photographs which clearly show part of the original frame farm house and carriage house which saw service for the Foley family as a furniture assembly and storage facility for several years through the mid 1960s.

Hopefully, the Joseph Lawrence House will continue to accrue an interesting history. Our guests enrich us with their varied experience and perspectives. Conversation at the breakfast table is informative, lively, sometimes provocative, and the food is great. Come and join us!