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About Us
In 2008 we moved from the Netherlands to
Canada. There was a unique opportunity
for my spouse Jan Willem to connect with
a research group at McMaster University.
I am a social worker by background. The
Homestead 1867 has 3 floor levels. The
main floor and the attic are part of the
B&B. We live on the lower level.
The Homestead 1867 was built in the
same year of the Confederation of
Canada. It is a heritage house with
history and owned by one family for
4 generations. This B&B is an ideal
place for a shortbreak or longer stay
in the Heritage District of Dundas. It
is just a fewsteps to a great variety
of shops and restaurants. McMaster
University and Children's Hospital is
a short 10 minutes drive away from our
house. Dundas Valley is very attractive
for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Your Host,
Ton de Kok
The Homestead 1867 B&B
36 Melville Street
Dundas, ON, L9H 1Z8
(001)-289-238-8720
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The History of The Homestead 1867
The homestead 1867 at 36 Melville Street is
a fine example of limestone construction and
architecture typical to Dundas, enhancing
the Melville streetscape. The most
distinctive feature is the very attractive
porch. It reflects the ideals of an English
interior designer who invented this popular
decorative style of ornamentation for
houses of various styles. The house has
gothic, classical and very decorative
elements. This house can be classified as
'Picturesque'. The house is constructed of
finely cut stone on the front facade giving a
very solid appearance. The sides and raised
basement are of irregular and rough stone
finish.
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The first owner of the house was Thomas
Wilson and his wife Agnes Jardine. In 1843
he immigrated from Scotland to Canada and
settling in Dundas a year later. Thomas
Wilson was very active in many town
organizations, serving on the Town Council
for many years, being mayor in the years
1876 to 1878 and again in 1885. In the mid
1860's Thomas and his wife journed back to
their native Scotland where they
commissioned an architect to draw up plans
for the home that now stands at 36 Melville
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When entering the house from Melville
Street, the front foyer has an inner door of
stained and etched glass. In 1867 the
central hall was flanked by a large room on
either side at the front and another two
rooms at the back. These were four
bedrooms with fireplaces and centre ornate
medallions in the front room of the ceiling. A
centre stairway descended down to the
kitchen and dining areas.
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Today the Valley bedroom and elegant living
room are at the front, with the dining room
and Garden bedroom at the back, while the
centre stairways has been removed. In 2015
two modern bathrooms were installed. The
ground floor has now a two bedroom
apartment with a large kitchen and dining
area and a living room with fireplace. The
brick side addition contains nowadays a
modern kitchen which will be used to serve
the Bed & Breakfast guests.
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