Willowbank Estate, Greek Revival mansion in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.
Willowbank Estate is a three-and-a-half-storey mansion in Greek Revival style that sits on a five hectare property overlooking the Niagara River. The building features paired wooden Ionic columns, and its walls are made of locally quarried sandstone that was carefully pointed between the stones.
The mansion was built between 1834 and 1836 for Alexander Hamilton, the third son of Upper Canada founder Robert Hamilton. Its construction took place during a period when European architectural styles were newly arriving in Canadian colonies.
The house shows how wealthy families of early European settlers in Canada lived and designed their homes following classical European models. This type of large estate was a sign of power and status in the young colony.
The estate is accessible via Niagara Parkway and now operates as a School of Restoration Arts. Visitors can see the classical architectural elements from outside and explore the grounds that stretch along the river.
Eight hand-carved columns made from local Whirlpool Sandstone define the exterior of the house and show the craftsmanship of its builders. This specific stone was quarried only in this region of the Niagara River and makes the building a unique record of local resources.
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