Donors Support Restoration, Preservation and Programming at Historic Willistead Manor in Walkerville

$129,000 Combined Donation from Charleigh Charitable Trust, Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Martha Henkel, and Friends of Willistead

Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined today by members of City Council, City administration, Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors, the Friends of Willistead, Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), descendants of Hiram Walker, and other guests at a reception to recognize donors and supporters of Willistead Manor. The annual reception provided an opportunity for Willistead enthusiasts to deliver significant donations in support of Windsor’s historic gem in Walkerville.

Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) presented a cheque for $89,218.24 to the City of Windsor, with the funds having been raised at last summer’s 44th annual Art in the Park festival. For the third year in a row, Art in the Park reached record attendance, with 40,000 visitors and 285 exhibitors filling the park. This is Rotary’s signature fundraising event, in which proceeds raised go toward supporting the restoration of Willistead Manor and the charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).

Charleigh Charitable Trust presented $25,000 – the third installment of a multi-year commitment on behalf of the Walker family descendants. This portion of the full $100,000 donation first announced in 2023, from Leigh and Charles Merinoff, was presented on behalf of their family: their parents Pam and Tony Morse, and their children Leslie Merinoff and Brian Kwasnieski, and Andrew Merinoff and Lauren Pikovski. Pam Morse is a great-great granddaughter of Hiram Walker. The Walker descendants actively support the Coach House Historical Exhibition, which opened in 2022, and shares the history of Hiram Walker, the Walker family and legacy, Walker businesses and community impacts, the formation of Walkerville, Edward and Mary Walker, the construction and uses of Willistead Manor, and much more.

Martha Henkel, great-great granddaughter of Hiram Walker, presented a $10,000 cheque representing this year’s installment of her $25,000 commitment first announced in 2023. Henkel also announced a significant increase to her generous support, doubling her donation commitment to $50,000 in total between 2023 and 2027. These funds go towards restoration, preservation, and special initiatives at Willistead Manor.

The Friends of Willistead, a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration and interpretation of Willistead Manor, committed $5,000, a combination of funding and in-kind support towards restoration and special heritage projects at the manor, along with support for public and private tours throughout the year and decorating and co-hosting the popular annual holiday tour program.

2024 highlights for restoration work and special projects at Willistead Manor included the following:

• Completion of full restoration of the Main Courtyard to its original layout
• Installation of a new Main Courtyard accessibility ramp
• Painting of the new cooling tower
• Completion of the restoration of the Paul Martin Gardens Terrace
• Completion of the restoration of the North Terrace
• Completion of foundation waterproofing in the gardens and select exterior areas
• Completion of restoration work on the exterior window-well grates
• Completion of restoration of the sidewalk to the sunken gardens
• Completion of the regrading of the south lawn
• Completion and installation of a new portrait of Mary Walker in the Great Hall
• Acquisition of the former Hiram Walker Committee Room Table 
• Acquisition and installation of a new lantern chandelier for the Conservatory
• Completion of the restoration of the original terrazzo floor in the Coach House Historical Exhibition room
• Installation of additional display cases and museum lighting in the foyer of the Coach House Historical Exhibition
• Repainting of Mary Walker’s Dressing Room

In 2025, the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors will work with the City to install portrait lighting above significant artworks in the manor and will explore the possibility of additional portraits, and the At the Manor series will continue with special events for Easter, Mother’s Day, Art in the Park, summer and holiday tours, Breakfast with Santa, the 5th annual High Tea and Garden Party, poetry, performances, and more. 

For more information on Willistead Manor, please visit Willistead.ca. For more information on Art in the Park, please visit ArtInTheParkWindsor.com.

To donate to Willistead Manor, please make cheques payable to Willistead Manor Inc., or visit the manor’s online donation portal.

Quotes

“City Council and the City of Windsor remain committed to heritage conservation and preservation at the historic Willistead Manor in Walkerville. Through annual events and initiatives, ongoing restoration and preservation work, new acquisitions and numerous engagement opportunities, the facility remains a vital piece of the arts, culture and heritage community; and a vibrant draw for local, regional, national and international tourists. This latest round of significant and generous donations from Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Charleigh Charitable Trust and the Walker family descendants including Martha Henkel, the Friends of Willistead, and so many others help us to preserve the manor while enhancing public access and continuing to share this important piece of our heritage and the Walker legacy in Windsor. The City and Council thank our partners and supporters for their valued contributions, and encourage everyone to visit Willistead Manor the first opportunity you get.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

“Our family remains thrilled by the progress made at Willistead Manor utilizing the last two years’ donations. The Coach House Historical Exhibition continues to evolve and grow, and we’re so happy to hear that Windsor residents and visitors to the community continue engaging with it regularly. It is truly an honour to see our family legacy celebrated in the city of Windsor, and to see people engaging with the facility in such meaningful ways throughout the year. Thank you to the Willistead Board, the Friends of Willistead, and the City of Windsor for their continued work to preserve the manor and the story of the Walker family. It is wonderful to see our multi-year contributions being put to such great use at Willistead. Thank you on behalf of our family: our parents Pamela and Tony Morse, and our children Leslie Merinoff and Brian Kwasnieski, and Andrew Merinoff and Lauren Pikovski.”
- Leigh and Charles Merinoff, on behalf of the Walker family descendants

“It is my honour to be able to contribute to the ongoing restoration and preservation of Willistead Manor. This amazing home represents the legacy of community-building that has become synonymous with my family over the decades. Seeing our contributions utilized to help preserve and share the building and the story with the community is truly special, and the work of the board and the City has inspired me to give more towards those goals. I am pleased to be able to play a part in contributing to how the home is maintained, improved and showcased for the community, now and well into the future.”
- Martha Henkel, great-great granddaughter of Hiram Walker

“The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is grateful to partner with the City of Windsor in holding Art in the Park at the beautiful, historic Willistead Manor and Willistead Park. We are looking forward to another incredible event this year.” 
- Allan Kidd, Chair, Art in the Park; Past President, Rotary Club of Windsor (1918)

“2024 was another outstanding year for restoration progress and community engagement for our heritage gem. The Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors remains grateful for and inspired by the ongoing involvement and support for the manor by our donors, partners, rental parties, artists, and performers; and the thousands of guests that visit and engage with Willistead Manor each year. We could not do what we do without the continued, generous support of our donors, including the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Charleigh Charitable Trust, descendants of the Walker family, Friends of Willistead, Thyme To-Go, and the City of Windsor. With the Coach House Historical Exhibition continuing to evolve, Mary Walker’s portrait now on display in the Great Hall across from her husband Edward, a new HVAC system up and running, and the Main Courtyard and Paul Martin Gardens restored and beautified, we are excited to celebrate a year of investment and growth as we continue showcasing Willistead Manor for the enjoyment of all.”
- Douglas Sanborn, Chair, Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors