Auchmar

Auchmar Auchmar, Clairmont Park, Hamilton
Preserving Auchmars history
Page admin - Author - Leanne Pluthero It was built by Hon.

History and future of the Auchmar Estate in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. The Auchmar Estate is located on nine acres at the northeast corner of Fennell Avenue and West 5th, Hamilton. Isaac Buchanan in 1852-54 and is the best-preserved property of its kind in Ontario. It is now owned by the city of Hamilton and steps toward restoration have begun. You can purchase Leanne's book here - https://attawa.c

a/product/auchmar-portrait-of-a-home/

You can purchase Bill's book here - https://attawa.ca/product/buchanan-of-auchmar/

Site moderated by Leanne Pluthero.

Thu, Aug 10, 1905The Hamilton SpectatorHamilton, Ontario, Canada • Page 10Miss Elsie Buchanan and Miss Edith Hurley, Eme...
08/10/2026

Thu, Aug 10, 1905

The Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada •
Page 10

Miss Elsie Buchanan and Miss Edith Hurley, Emerald Street North, left Tuesday on the Belleville to spend their vacation in Montreal.

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder. Time to share random photos with you guys every day! Another random wall. ...
08/09/2026

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder.

Time to share random photos with you guys every day!

Another random wall. This wall is actually pretty neat, so I think. This little nook sits behind the kitchen; this is where the servants would have walked to get to their dining hall and the upstairs servants' quarters, the laundry house, and the servant yard.

Does this little walkway make sense? No, not really. The back of the hearth was on the right wall, so would this little hallway have been hot?

Thu, Aug 9, 1866Hamilton TimesHamilton, Ontario, Canada • Page 3A KIND ACT.— We learn that by special request of Mrs. Bu...
08/09/2026

Thu, Aug 9, 1866

Hamilton Times
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada •
Page 3

A KIND ACT.— We learn that by special request of Mrs. Buchanan, Private Hilders has been removed to the Auchmar House, where he is now being kindly attended to by that lady.

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Auchmar would become a convalescent home for the first time in 1866 after the Battle of Ridgeway.
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The Battle of Ridgeway was fought on June 2, 1866, near Ridgeway (now Fort Erie), Ontario, during the Fenian Raids. Irish-American Fenians crossed into Canada hoping to pressure Britain into granting Ireland independence. Canadian militia units, many of them young and inexperienced, engaged the Fenians and were forced to retreat after confusion in the ranks. Although the Fenians later withdrew, the battle resulted in several Canadian deaths and highlighted weaknesses in Canada’s military defenses. It became an important event leading to improvements in Canada’s militia system and is often remembered as one of the first battles fought by Canadians on Canadian soil.

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08/09/2026

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I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder. Time to share random photos with you guys every day! These cabinets are re...
08/08/2026

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder.

Time to share random photos with you guys every day!

These cabinets are reported in the City report as being added by Elsie during the 1901 renovations. They match all the other cabinets she had added throughout the home.

Fun fact: This is actually painted glass; yes, unfortunately, a lot of the original glass has been painted over on many cabinet doors.

"We always knew that The Lilacs was only a temporary home for us until Aunt Elsie could find a suitable place to buy. We...
08/08/2026

"We always knew that The Lilacs was only a temporary home for us until Aunt Elsie could find a suitable place to buy. We only rented The Lilacs.

One that she could have as a home for herself and the remaining single members of her family if they chose to come home, and eventually, the Old Merriman House came on the market, Aunt Elsie bought it, and the gate to life at The Lilacs was closed.

Once again, I was in Toronto at the time and had no part in the move. Perhaps it was just as well for Marie's health was failing, but not her temper." - Deb's diary

One of the fireplaces inside The Lilacs, screenshot from a YouTube video.

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder. Time to share random photos with you guys every day! This might just look ...
08/07/2026

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder.

Time to share random photos with you guys every day!

This might just look like a totally random photo, but I took it when I was researching the butler's pantry.

There is now a bookshelf screwed to the wall, but behind it was a window looking over the north lawn.

In 1963, when the Sisters of Social Service expanded onto Auchmar with their industrial kitchen, meeting rooms, chapel, and dorms, this window was covered over.

In the window still behind this bookshelf, who knows!?

In the second photo, you can see this very window on the bottom left-hand side.

“He built for the generations to come, and he sealed his ownership with the mark of his own characteristics.” - Evelyn G...
08/07/2026

“He built for the generations to come, and he sealed his ownership with the mark of his own characteristics.” - Evelyn Grayson (granddaughter to Isaac)
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Good morning! Here is the kitchen garden at Auchmar, just full of delicious fruits and veggies!Photo dated 1920.
08/07/2026

Good morning!

Here is the kitchen garden at Auchmar, just full of delicious fruits and veggies!

Photo dated 1920.

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder. Time to share random photos with you guys every day! I took this photo yea...
08/07/2026

I have over 4000 photos in my Auchmar folder.

Time to share random photos with you guys every day!

I took this photo years ago inside the butler's pantry. This is one of the cabinets that I believe Elsie had added in her 1901 renovations. The original section of the butler's pantry on the south side was added by Buchanan around 1855-1860.

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Hamilton, ON

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