Celebrating Thornhill's history through restoration, education and community events.
Thornhill has a story
worth preserving.
Welcome to The Thornhill Heritage Foundation — We are the stewards of the Robert West Heritage House at 7780 Yonge Street, a living piece of local history that continues to welcome neighbours, artists, and curious visitors. Come discover what makes Thornhill's past so worth protecting.
About
The Robert West Heritage House
The Robert West Heritage House, at 7780 Yonge Street is known as the only house in Thornhill to be continuously inhabited by the same family since it was built. Robert Arthur West (1816 - 1884), an English immigrant, came to Upper Canada in the 1830s. During the summer of 1843 he began to build a storey and a half frame house which has subsequently become a valuable asset to Thornhill's architectural heritage.
Katherine Louisa Keith (nee: West) was born in Toronto in 1912. She was the great-granddaughter of Robert West and became his last living descendant. The Robert West House fell into disrepair in the 30's and early 40's. In 1945, Mrs. Keith decided to make it liveable again. In 1946, she started residing there in the Summertime. In 1949, she made it her full-time residence.
This season, we're excited to showcase original works by eleven talented local artists alongside a special tribute to Thoreau MacDonald, a celebrated Canadian illustrator and graphic artist whose creative legacy continues to inspire. Whether you're a longtime art lover or discovering the gallery for the first time, there's something here to move you.