“Hutchinson House”

New town, new house, seems like a good time to start writing again. I’m hoping to revive this platform and use it as a way to document the adventure this house is going to be. Trust me, “adventure” is probably a good way to describe what buying a century home like this is like. But first, let’s start with the history.

“Hutchinson House” was completed in 1888 by a carpenter named Thomas Wooster. It was then purchased by John William Hutchinson and his wife Mary.

The Hutchinson family had 4 daughters. Grace and Addie were born to John’s first wife who sadly passed away in 1881. John remarried and he and Mary had two more daughters, Mabel and Hazel. They were a prominent family, John owned Aylmer Marble Works making monuments, headstones and other marble products. He also served as on town council and then as Mayor from 1888-1891. In 1892 he declined to run again, but continued to be actively involved in politics and briefly joined council again in 1909. He and his wife were also active in their church, and he was a member of the Aylmer Cemetery Board for many years. One of his most well known accomplishments was the design of the War Memorial in Aylmer that was erected in 1928. Unfortunately he didn’t get to see it completed, he passed away in May of that year and the monument was completed in November.

Hutchinson House remained in the family for many years after John’s death. Mary lived until 1947, and their youngest daughter Hazel never married and continued to live in the family home until her death in 1987. It appears to have been sold at that time. We aren’t entirely clear on how many times it has changed hands since but I estimate 3. At one point it was turned into a duplex, at which time the the original landing was closed in to make another room, and the front hallway was closed off to separate the two residences. Thankfully, much of the other original charm remains, with original doors, trim and porch.

Now we begin the task of listing jobs, getting quotes and prioritizing. Stay tuned!