Campbell House Museum

The Campbell House Museum is a historic building from 1822 in downtown Toronto, originally built for Sir William Campbell, Chief Justice of Upper Canada, and his wife, Hannah. The mansion embodies the Palladian style of the late Georgian era and is one of the few surviving examples of this architecture in the city. It was deliberately designed for social gatherings and a high level of comfort, at a time when the family was already socially and economically established.

The house originally stood at a different location downtown before it was saved from demolition in 1972. A lawyers' association organized the spectacular move of the building over a distance of more than a kilometer (about 0.6 miles) to its current site at the corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West. This successful act of preservation is considered a turning point in Toronto's history, as it lastingly raised citizens' awareness of the importance of protecting historic sites.

Today the fully restored house is operated by the City of Toronto and the Sir William Campbell Foundation. You can tour the period-accurate interiors and visit a variety of art exhibitions. The garden also holds a permanent outdoor installation commemorating the city's saved and lost buildings. The museum serves not only as a historic house but also as a cultural gathering place and event venue.