National Historic Site

The Willowbank Estate is named for the magnificent willow trees that once graced its grounds. Exceptional architecture in the context of a powerful landscape is what led the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to designate Willowbank a National Historic Site.

 The site has a rich human history, spanning almost 8,000 years, and it is a history that continues to unfold. Our commitment is to presenting and interpreting its various layers, preserving both the tangible and intangible evidence of each period. As well, we are allowing the site to continue to evolve in its current role as an educational institution and a place for discussion and debate. 

The residential character of the Willowbank site, so important throughout its history, is being sustained despite its institutional mandate. It continues to provide the sense of a private estate, occupied by caring staff, students and faculty, welcoming a wide range of visitors, whether to private tours or to major cultural events on the lawns and within the house. Workshops in the historic barn complex provide a natural extension to the activities within the main residence.