A special thank you to all our sponsors:
A participating partner in Doors Open Ontario
Doors Open Ontario is a community-based celebration that builds pride
in Ontario’s heritage for residents and visitors alike. The Ontario
Heritage Trust works with community partners throughout the province
to produce this innovative program.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the Doors Open Ontario Guide
to visit other Doors Open Ontario community events happening this
year, contact:
Ontario Heritage Trust
10 Adelaide Street East,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3
Tel.: 416-325-5000
Fax: 416-325-5071
Or call 1-800-ONTARIO
1-800-668-2746
Fiducie du patrimoine Ontarien
10, rue Adelaide Est
Toronto (Ontario) M5C 1J3
Tél.: 416-325-5000
Téléc.: 416-325-5071
www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
www.heritagetrust.on.ca
The Misener House
286 Vidal Street North
Sarnia, ON
Saturday, September 29, 10am-4pm
Sunday, September 30, 10am-4pm
THE MISENER HOUSE
Built in 1896 for former
Sarnia mayor Thomas Cook,
this Victorian Queen Anne
features original clapboard
siding and a wraparound
front porch that highlights
its unique two-stored curved
walls. In 1927, it became the
home of Captain Scott
Misener
of
Misener
Steamship Lines. Severely
damaged by fire in 1991, it
was lovingly restored to its
original grandeur.
Heritage Significance:
In 1927 this Queen Anne
style Victorian home became
the family home to Captain Scott Misener and his family.
Captain Misener was the founder of Misener Steamship Lines
(which later became CSL - Canada Steamship Lines).
The home's grand front staircase is complemented with a rear
maid's staircase to the kitchen for Captain Misener's maid and
butler who lived on the third floor. The unusual two-storey
curved clapboard exterior walls are echoed in the curved front
porch, as well as in the interior walls of the cozy sitting room on
the main floor and Captain Misener's study on the second floor.
There were four bedrooms on the second floor and one more on
the third floor.
In 1987 the City of Sarnia designated the Misener House under
the Ontario Heritage Act for its historical and architectural
merits.
History of the Building:
Built in 1896-1898 this Queen Anne style of Victorian
architecture has had very little changes to it spacious 3,000
square-foot layout. The only early change was the addition of a
small back porch on the south side of the building off the
kitchen to the rear of the house, which has a small second-floor
balcony off the maid's quarters on the second floor.
In 1991, towards the end of an extensive restoration of the
exterior paint back to its original colors, a fire broke out
destroying much of the third floor and causing extensive water
damage to the rest of the house. The owners underwent a
painstaking restoration back to its original grandeur, replacing
the original rooflines and most of the third floor. A small portion
of the second floor foyer was sympathetically closed off to
incorporate a master ensuite, complete with the original sliding
pocket window to the second floor Widows Walk on the front of
the home.
The heating and cooling, electrical and insulation upgrades did
not detract from the heritage interior.
Architectural Highlights:
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Curved clapboard exterior and interior walls and front
porch
Two 3+ storey chimneys and 3 fireplaces
Second floor Widow's Walk
Stained and bevel glass throughout
Sliding hidden pocket doors to the formal living room
and front sitting room; formal dining room with ceiling
medallion and restored crystal lighting fixture
Modern kitchen with French doors to cedar deck
Spacious third floor family room, guest room and
bathroom
Grand front staircase and back maid's staircase to the
kitchen