Woodchester Villa

One of the finest octagonal houses in Ontario, this impressive building was erected in 1882 by Henry James Bird, a prosperous local woollen manufacturer. In its unusual design it illustrates the architectural theories of Orson Squire Fowler, an American author and lecturer who claimed that many-sided structures provided healthier, more efficient environments for their inhabitants than rectangular buildings. In keeping with Fowler’s views, the house was solidly constructed of fieldstone and poured concrete and contained such innovative features as ventilation shafts and a dumb-waiter. It was officially named Woodchester Villa after the owner’s birthplace in England, but became known locally as the “Bird Cage”. Occupied by family members until 1977, Woodchester Villa has since been restored and is now open to the public.

Une des plus belles maisons octogonales de l’Ontario, ce remarquable edifice fut construit en 1882 par Henry James Bird, riche fabricant de lainages local. Sa conception originale illustre les theories architecturales d’Orson Squire Fowler, auteur et conférencier américan qui avancait que les structures multiatérales sont plus saines et plus stimulantes pour leurs occupants. Selon les theories de Fowler, la maison fut solidement construite en moellons et en béton et contenait des innovations telles que des cheminées d’aération et un monte-plats. Elle fut officiellement baptisée Woodchester Villa, d’aprés la ville d’angleterre où naquit son propriétaire, mais les residents l’appelaient “Bird Cage”, du nom de la famille qui l’occupa jusqu’en 1977. Restaurée depuis, la villa Woodchester est aujourd’hui ouverte au public.