Special Events at Willistead Manor

Collage of images from events at Willistead Manor2025–2026 At the Manor series

"At the Manor" is a series of unique events and initiatives that take place within Willistead Manor. Over the years, the program has included yoga classes, theatre and opera performances, literary events, tours, brunches, dinners and more. Space is limited for these unforgettable events in our City of Windsor culture and heritage gem. Please explore the list below to see what's in store for you this year. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Please note that tickets for individual events will go on sale approximately two months before the event, and pricing information will be included or updated at that time.

Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet 2026

Sunday, April 5, 2026
Four seatings at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
When available, tickets will be sold at ThymeToGo.ca.

Mother's Day Brunch Buffet 2026

Sunday, May 10, 2026
Two seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Experience includes a delicious brunch buffet and tours of the Paul Martin Gardens. When available, tickets will be sold at ThymeToGo.ca.

Art in the Park 2026

Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026
All details will be posted, as available, at ArtInTheParkWindsor.com online.

Hiram Walker 210th Birthday Celebration

Aerial view of Willistead Manor exterior and gardens

The City of Windsor has a tradition of celebrating its rich history and heritage, and highlighting the stories that make our community so unique. On Saturday, July 4, 2026, we are celebrating Hiram Walker — one of the most influential figures in our Windsor story. Hiram Walker was one of Windsor's most significant contributors. He was head of a family with a name so deeply entrenched in Windsor that it touches on facets of architecture, history, industry, neighbourhoods, and pop culture. He was a true early industrialist who built his distillery, later named Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd., on the Windsor banks of the Detroit River. He created the world-famous Canadian Club Whisky, and was a charitable man who donated money across the Windsor, Walkerville, and Detroit areas. He commissioned leading architects to construct impressive public and private buildings still visible today.

In honour of the 210th birthday of Hiram Walker, the City of Windsor and partners will host an all-day celebration. While full details are being worked out, the celebration will include the grand opening of the completed Coach House Historical Exhibition — including the expansion into Studio B to showcase the Art Jahns Collection — and an evening fundraiser and themed dinner party at Willistead Manor. Tickets will be limited and available in May 2026. A similar event was held in 2022 for the unveiling of the Hiram Walker Commemorative Sculpture at the new Hiram Walker Parkette, along with the grand opening of the original Coach House Historical Exhibition. 

Unveiling of the Coach House Historical Exhibition Expansion

Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Coach House at Willistead Park

In 2022, the City of Windsor opened the Coach House Historical Exhibition onsite at the Willistead Manor Complex, in Studio A of the Coach House. Through that exhibition, guests are invited to learn about the history of Hiram Walker, the Walker business and community impacts, the formation of Walkerville, Edward and Mary Walker, the construction and uses of Willsitead Manor, and much more. The exhibition was designed by Chris Renaud and the team at HCA Mindbox and supported by generous funding through the Charleigh Charitable Trust, the Walker descendants, Willistead Manor Inc., the Friends of Willistead, and the City of Windsor. Video footage playing onsite is provided by the documentary Walkerville’s Willsitead Manor: The Home that Shaped a Community.

Art Jahns, the late Canadian Club Brand Centre archivist, long-time employee of Hiram Walker & Sons, and long-time member of the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors, spent a lifetime assembling and curating a diverse and storied collection of artifacts, artworks, correspondence, keepsakes, photographs, and more that rounds out some of the compelling aspects of the stories of Hiram Walker, Canadian Club, and the region’s proud whisky distilling history. As part of the donations recognized at the reception, Karyn Templin and Christine Malott, the daughters of Art Jahns, were joined by their family members to officially announce the donation of their father’s collection to the City of Windsor. The significant donation will form the basis of a major expansion to the existing Coach House Historical Exhibition. During deliberations of the 2026 City of Windsor Budget, Council approved $400,000 towards the expansion project, which is currently underway at the Coach House. The scope of work includes the following:

  • Uncovering and restoring the original wood ceiling of Studio A
  • Installing exhibition lighting and artifact display cases in Studio A
  • Uncovering and restoring the original terrazzo floor and installing new ceiling tiles and exhibition lighting in the foyer and hallway
  • Installing new ceiling tiles and exhibition lighting in Studio B
  • Research and design work to expand the Coach House Historical Exhibition beyond Studio A, to include the foyer, hallway, and Studio B
  • Installing significant items from the Estate of Art Jahns for the new exhibit

Guided Tours of the Expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition

Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Coach House at Willistead Park

Exhibition curator Nicole Chittle of Museum Windsor and designer Chris Renaud of HCA Mindbox will be onsite for guided tours of the newly expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition, which tells the story of Hiram Walker, the Walker family business and legacy, the formation of Walkerville, Edward and Mary Walker, the construction and uses of Willistead Manor, the history of the Canadian Club Brand Centre, and much more connected to Windsor's proud whisky distilling history.

Evening Fundraiser Dinner at Willistead Manor

Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Willistead Manor

Tickets will be $100 per person, and available in May at www.ThymeToGo.ca online. Mayor Drew Dilkens and Jane Dilkens, and the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors present another unforgettable fundraiser dinner event at Willistead Manor, in the tradition of one of Edward and Mary Walker's long-ago celebrations of art, music, fine-dining, fellowship, and philanthropy. Thyme To-Go, Willistead Manor's exclusive caterer, will present a delicious mix of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, desserts, a complimentary champagne toast, signature drink, whisky tastings, and more. Guests will be encouraged to come dressed to celebrate (details on attire coming soon), and will be treated to live music, dance, psychic readings, caricature art, and so much more. A portion of all ticket proceeds will go to the Willistead Manor Restoration Fund. 

Stay tuned for more details, as available.

Keep in touch through the Cultural Affairs E-Blast

Keep in touch with upcoming events, projects, initiatives and more by signing up for our Cultural Affairs E-Blast, which is delivered several times throughout each year, typically every other month. This electronic newsletter keeps you up to date on the unique happenings at: the Cultural Affairs Office, Museum Windsor, The Windsor Sculpture Park, Willistead Manor, Mackenzie Hall, and more. To sign up, send a request to culturalaffairs@citywindsor.ca by email.

Contact Willistead Manor

1899 Niagara Street
Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N8Y 1K3
Phone: For general information, contact 311. For detailed inquiries, call 519-253-2365.
Email: willistead@citywindsor.ca