Doors Open really is the perfect opportunity to explore
places like this. There’s something exciting about accessing spaces that are
not always open to the public, especially when they carry so much history and
character. If you’ve never taken part in the event, I would absolutely
recommend adding it to your list—you never know what hidden gems you’ll
discover next.
On a cold, windy and rainy day recently in May, I should say
that I finally had the pleasure of visiting the Campbell House located in the
northwest corner of University and Queen Street in Toronto.
The Campbell House is an 1822 heritage home and museum that was
built for the Upper Canada Chief Justice Sir William Campbell and his wife
Hannah. It was designed simply for
entertaining and comfort. Once Sir
Campbell and his wife became empty nesters, and were both socially and
economically established, they were able to settle in lovely Georgian style
house also known as Palladian architecture.
The home is now owned by the City of Toronto government and
operated by the Sir William Campbell Foundation. It remains an historic house
museum and a former club for the members of the Advocates Society. The home has
also displayed numerous exhibitions, including the 2013 show by Canadian
contemporary artist Harley Valentine, titled Barbarians at the Gate.
Although, I’ve seen this house many many times before, it
was never opened when I had the chance.
This day was different! It was
the Doors Open event which occurs every years for 2 days in Toronto.
I’ll limit the pictures so you can have the opportunity to
check it out for yourself!
Stepping inside felt like slipping quietly into another
century. Despite the grey skies outside, the interior had a warm, almost
comforting stillness to it. You can almost imagine what daily life must have
been like—guests being received in the parlour, conversations unfolding around
candlelit tables, and the slow pace of early 19th-century living. It’s these
small moments of imagination that make places like Campbell House feel so
alive, even today.
What struck me most was how tucked away it feels, despite
sitting right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Surrounded by modern buildings,
busy traffic, and the rush of everyday city life, the house stands as a quiet
reminder of how much the city has evolved.
It’s easy to walk past it without
realizing how much history is contained within those walls—which makes finally
going inside all the more special.
If you’ve visited Campbell House before, I’d love to hear
your thoughts—what stood out to you the most? And if you have recommendations
for other historic spots in Toronto worth exploring, feel free to share them in
the comments. You can also check out the official Campbell House website or
Doors Open Toronto page for more details and upcoming events.
