Spadina House, Art Deco house museum in Toronto, Canada
Spadina House is a three-story mansion with rooms decorated to show the styles and furnishings of the 1920s and 1930s, filled with original pieces from the Austin family's collection. The interior displays the architectural details and room layouts typical of wealthy homes from that era.
The property was purchased in 1866 by James Austin, founder of The Dominion Bank, who developed it into a grand family estate. The house reflects Toronto's growth during a period when wealthy business leaders built spacious homes on the city's outskirts.
The rooms show how wealthy Toronto families lived and what they valued in craftsmanship and design during the early 20th century. The Austin family's choices in furnishings and decoration reveal their tastes and the social habits of their time.
The house is visited by guided tours that run on most days with multiple sessions throughout the day. It helps to check opening hours beforehand and be ready for stairs, as the building spans three floors.
The name Spadina comes from the Anishnaabemowin word 'ishpadina,' meaning highland, which reflects the house's location on a natural ridge overlooking the city. This Indigenous origin of the place name connects the property to Toronto's earlier geography and peoples.
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