160 Unusual Things to See in Ontario -- Ruthven Mansion

The Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc., now Ruthven Park National Historic Site Inc (RPNHS) evolved from a group of local residents interested in protecting the natural, cultural and heritage resources of the surrounding community.  

The descendants of Scottish immigrants, the Thompson family made their home at Ruthven Park in the mid 1840’s. It was here that they and their descendants would live and visit for 5 generations until the early 1990’s. In 1996 Marion Hartney, (an aunt of the two brothers David and Drew Thompson who represented the fifth generation of the Thompson family), generously transferred her ownership of Ruthven Park and associated lands to Ruthven Park National Historic Site Inc.

(RPNHS)RPNHS Board members recognized the significance of Ruthven Park’s natural and historic values. The property includes 598 hectares (1476.6 acres) on both sides of the river and an island with vast areas of slough forest and wetlands. An 1845 Greek Revival 33 room villa, the focal point of the property, is enhanced by a simply designed, 19th-century picturesque landscape. The focus of this grand estate is the temple-fronted, Greek Revival villa built from 1845-47. Bold, rich, Greek Revival architecture with American influences decorates both the exterior and the interior of the villa.

Ruthven Park epitomizes picturesque design principles. Everything from the buildings, to the open spaces and landscaped gardens are carefully placed to create beautiful vistas that take advantage of natural features such as the Grand River and Carolinian Forests.  Ruthven Park is located north of Cayuga along the banks of the Canadian Heritage Grand River adjacent to the ghost town of Indiana.

The archaeological remains of the town of Indiana, including an Irish Catholic cemetery, pasture land, orchards, hedgerows, and last remaining house located on site offer a rare glimpse into the rise and fall of many early towns in Upper Canada.

An extensive Conservation Easement Agreement between the RPNHS and the Ontario Heritage Trust (formerly the Ontario Heritage Foundation) (OHT)was completed and registered on title.  This Agreement is integral in protecting and conserving the significant cultural and heritage features of the property through land management, built heritage conservation and education.

The dedicated members of the RPNHS Board of Directors are responsible for governance of the property in compliance with the Ontario Heritage Trust Easement Agreement, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (Haldimand County Bylaw 1483-98), and the Board’s Mission and Vision Statements.

The RPNHS is an Associate member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) which has in its objects the protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage areas and has adopted the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices as the technical and ethical guidelines for stewardship activities.

Ruthven Park will be an exemplary steward of the significant built heritage resources and natural and cultural landscapes entrusted to its care and become a model for research, conservation, public education and involvement where people enjoy history and appreciate how it affects their present and future.