Welcome to Cottonwood Mansion

Cottonwood is an Italianate-style red brick mansion built c. 1865-70 by William Holmes Jr., as a private residence. Descendants of the family say the name came from the cottonwood trees that originally surrounded the home on its 200 acre site. It was lived in until 1911 and then was derelict for almost eighty years until its restoration was undertaken by the late Larry Hamilton beginning in 1988.

Cottonwood is a 6,000 square foot mansion with fifteen rooms, some of which have the original furniture donated by Holmes' family members. Now a living museum, the mansion is open for tours, and available for rentals for a variety of events. A number of scheduled events take place annually, most with a Victorian flavour in keeping with the mission statement of the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation to sustain and maintain the Mansion and provide experiences of the Victorian Era.

Cottonwood's extensive genealogy research centre is now administered by the curator at Haldimand County Museum and Archives. It concentrates on the pioneer families of the Haldimand and Niagara areas.

Coming Up

JULY FREE ADMISSION

Cottonwood Mansion is offering free admission for the month of July to help celebrate Canada 150. Donations are appreciated.

July 21, 2017

Museum closed 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm for a private booking.

July 22, 2017

8th Annual Daylily Sale

Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or sold out Cottonwood volunteer Mary Ann Pearson will again offer registered hybrid daylilies for sale at the Mansion from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or sold out. Daylilies are drought tolerant, easy to care for perennials requiring full to part sun. Large and small flower and double varieties in a range of colours will be offered, including special hybrids, priced from $5 to $25 depending on variety. All proceeds from the daylily sale go to benefit Cottonwood Mansion. Download the Photos and Descriptions here. Here is the information on the Special hybrid daylily varieties. Returning again is the Pockets Warhol variety.

Available Now

THE HOOVER'S COME TO CANADA - 1791 Book
covers the Hoover connection to Cottonwood Mansion
and Selkirk Community and follows the Family of
Jacob Reginald Hoover (1912 to 2003) to the present.



The book sells for $40.00 + shipping and
$10.00 per book sold will be donated to the
Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation.

Limited Quantities Available

Please contact Cottonwood Mansion at 907-776-2538
or email cottonwoodmansion@gmail.com if you
are interested in purchasing a book.

Feature article on Selkirk and Haldimand County in a national Canadian magazine. 400,000 copies across Canada. Download the PDF.

Reprinted with permission from Home Hardware's Home at Home magazine.

Latest News

June 17, 2017

High Tea-Downton Abbey Style Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted a High Tea-Downton Abbey Style on June 17, 2017. Guests enjoyed the High Tea in the Victorian ambiance of the Mansion. Many of whom were in Victorian costume. Special thanks to organizer Lynda Davis and the staff of volunteers that made the event a success.

Organizer Lynda Davis with volunteers Debbie and Greg. Click to enlarge.

Volunteers Bruce and Lois Gifford (Mr. & Mrs. Holmes) conversing with guests. Click to enlarge.

Alma Nagel, a guest at the High Tea in Victorian costume. Click to enlarge.

Volunteers Lois Gifford and Greg Hilton. Click to enlarge.

May 6, 2017

Cottonwood Mansion Dolly Tea Party Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted the annual Dolly Tea Party on May 6, 2017 to a sold out crowd. The guests enjoyed tea and light lunch, crafts, and activities. Special thanks to Deanna Schaus, Maureen Edge, and their staff of volunteers that continue to make this event such a great success.

Deanna Schaus and Maureen Edge, organizers of the Dolly Tea Party, and their staff of volunteers for the event. Click to enlarge.

Lois Gifford who also volunteered for the event enjoyed the tea along with her two granddaughters Ameyla and Claryssa. Click to enlarge.

Guests and their dolls enjoying the Dolly Tea Party. Click to enlarge.

March 12, 2017

St. Patrick's Day Country Dinner Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted our annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner on March 12, 2017. Guests enjoyed a meal catered by Rosie Balogh and entertainment provided by dancers from the McGinley Academy of Irish Dance in Georgetown.

Six young women, all of whom have qualified for the World Competition of Irish Dancing in Dublin in April, performed at the end of the dinner. Click to enlarge.

One of the dancers was Allison Daly, rated third best Irish dancer in Canada. She is shown with her grandparents, local residents, Brendan and Philomena Daly. Click to enlarge.

December 18, 2016

Christmas Dinner Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted a Christmas Dinner on December 18, 2016. Guests were served a delicious hot meal catered by Rosie Balogh with help from Barbara Held, President and many other volunteers.

Richard Hoover, Vice President (shown here) along with his wife Anne volunteered and also enjoyed the Christmas dinner. Click to enlarge.

Milfred and Marjorie Hartwick guests at the dinner. Click to enlarge.

Bruce and Lois Gifford along with their family and friends at the dinner. Click to enlarge.

Craig Sitter, Karen Zandersons, and their guests at the dinner. Click to enlarge.

December 3 & 10, 2016

Open House & Bake Sale/Bazaar Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted an Open House & Bake Sale Bazaar on December 3 & 10, 2016. Guests were treated to a wide array of bake sale items and many unique treasures from the bazaar. Entertainment was provided from a duo from the Cottonwood Brass Quintet, Dave and Mary Ann Pearson. Xander Geister was also on hand signing copies of the Haldimand Heritage Sites 2017 calendar which he produced.

Volunteer Lynda Davis helping at the Christmas Open House. Click to enlarge.

Dave and Mary Ann Pearson a duo from the Cottonwood Brass Quintet entertained the guests at the Christmas Open House. Click to enlarge.

Xander Geister who produced the Haldimand Heritage Sites 2017 calendar signing purchased copies for guests at the Christmas Open House. Click to enlarge.

November 26 & 27, 2016

Christmas Decorating Day Recap

Cottonwood Mansion hosted a Christmas Decorating Day on November 26 & 27, 2016. The Mansion was decorated in Victorian theme for the Christmas holidays. We had many volunteers come out and participate in the event and enjoyed a wonderful lunch provided by Barbara Held, President. Thank you to all who made the day a great success.

Rosemary Hilton and Walter Plaenksken helping with the decorating at the Mansion. Click to enlarge.

Lynn Otterman decorating the tree in the Sitter Music Room. Click to enlarge.

Lynda Davis and our youngest helper of the day decorating the tabletop tree in the Smith Parlour. Click to enlarge.

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