Tillsonburg, Ontario Canada . . .
The Annandale House, at the corner of Hyman Street & Tillson Ave., was "Tillson Central
."This is the home that E.D. Tillson and his wife Mary Ann commissioned. As patrons of the arts, they were instrumental in bringing Oscar Wilde to nearby Woodstock to speak on "the practical application of the aesthetic theory to exterior and interior house decoration." On completing the house in 1883, the Tillsons hired an interior decorator who used many of the artistic touches advocated by Wilde and the Aesthetic Movement.
E.D. has been described as a self made man, innovative entrepreneur, pioneering industrialist, and the "Father of Tillsonburg." His father, George Tilson was born in Greenwich, Mass., in 1782. George settled at Long Point Furnace, C.W. in 1822, and moved to Tillsonburg (then a dense wilderness) in 1825. From this start along the Big Otter Creek, came a iron works, lumber mill, Annandale Farm, a split pea mill, a flower mill, the pan dried oats business, and of course, the town of Tillsonburg.
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The National Historic Plaque unveiling drew many dignitaries to this special event. In the center photo, on the far left George Tillson represents the family, then left to right, Mayor Brenda Carroll; Advisory Committee Chairman, Robert Marsden; and Field Unit Superintendent, Parks Canada, Ross Thomson. Around the periphery, starting in the upper right hand corner, Tillsonburg Ministerial President, Reverend Richard Jones; going clockwise, Board Member, Ontario Heritage Foundation, Gail McIntyre; Curator of Annandale National Historic Site, Rita Corner; MPP Oxford, The Honourable Ernie Hardeman; and Chair, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Dr. Richard Always. |
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T/T's and townspeople alike turned out for the event.
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The House never looked better. Proud Curator Rita (on right).
Schedule of Events - What we did, and many thanks to Laurel, Patty and Rita for all their hard work
Who was there - at least some that the camera captured.
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The Youngest Tillson at the reunion - Josh, born May, 2000, with parents and grandparents the Edgar Tillsons. Also representing the English branch of the T/T's. |
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Our American cousins. |
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Our Irish cousins |
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8/29/01