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26 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 17, 2007 Oakville's historical buildings Oakville is blessed with many historically and architecturally significant buildings that, to this day, still maintain the charm of a long ago era. In order to preserve these buildings, the Town of Oakville, through its Official Plan, has designated more than 1200 properties under the Ontario Heritage Act and has established three heritage districts. Here is a small sampling of some of Oakville's many historical homes and buildings, each a reminder of a unique moment in time during the Town's early years. Erchless Estate 8 Navy Street In 1839 Town founder William Chisholm deeded this four-acre property to his son Robert Kerr Chisholm. Robert, who also became the Town's customs officer, built the Customs House in 1857 and the Erchless house a year later. Today, Erchless Estate is owned and operated by the Town of Oakville and houses the Oakville Museum. The home has been restored to the elegance of its 1925 appearance. Sunday February 18th is Heritage Day and is complimentary admission at the museum. 1-4 pm. Gairloch Gardens 1306 Lakeshore Road East In 1922 Colonel William Mackendrick bought this property and built a Tudor-style home, completed by landscaped grounds, trees and rose gardens. Colonel Mackendrick died in 1957 and James a. Gairdner, an investment dealer residing in Oakville, bought the property in 1960. He named the estate Gairloch, a Gaelic word which means "short lake." He bequeathed the estate to the Town of Oakville in 1971 with the wish that the residence and land be used as an art gallery and public park. Sovereign House 7 West River Street Charles Sovereign built this house on the property owned by his father, Philip, one of Bronte's earliest settlers. Charles opened the first school in the area in 1815 when he was just 17 years old. After teaching for several years he became the first local school inspector. His collection of journals, which he kept from age 36 to his death at 87 and are filled with interesting facts of life in Bronte in the 1800s, are now housed in the provincial archives. From 1910 to 1914, Sovereign House was home to Canadian author Mazo de la Roche. She featured the home, as well as other details about Bronte and Oakville villagers' lives, in her novel Possession, which became the prototype for the successful Jalna series. Today Sovereign House is the home of the Bronte Historical Society. Celebrating 1 year in our new showroom! SNS Family owned and operated for over 36 years! Shades` Shades`N´Shutters Let the sun revolve around you. Ask about our remote control motorized shades! Welcome to a place where you take complete control of the light in your life. Introducing Pirouette® window shadings from Hunter Douglas, an innovative product that combines the richness of a fabric shading with light control­day and night. Pirouette · Luminette · Vignette · Duette · Silhouette · Nantucket FREE INSTALLATION OF ALL BLINDS STORE HOURS Call for our complimentary shop@home service Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday closed 276 Kerr St., Oakville · 905-257 -2692 · Toll free 1-877 -2692 -257