Castle Kilbride, National historic mansion in Baden, Canada
Castle Kilbride is a large stone mansion built in Italianate style with a rooftop lookout tower and decorative stonework on its exterior. The house contains multiple stories and many rooms with detailed interior wall paintings.
James Livingston, a successful businessman in flax and linseed oil production, built the mansion in 1877 and named it after his birthplace in Scotland. The estate remained a family home for three generations before being abandoned.
The interior walls and ceilings showcase elaborate painted murals by German artist Henry Scharstein, who used trompe l'oeil techniques to create illusions. These artistic details shape the appearance of rooms throughout the house.
The house is open for visits and offers guided tours that cover the family's story across several generations. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for cooler temperatures inside the rooms.
The deteriorating property was purchased by Wilmot Township in 1993 and fully restored to its original condition. The revived building opened as a museum to the public in 1994.
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