Faethorne House History - Yesterday, Today &  Tomorrow

This imposing building was erected about 1875 by Col. Robert  F. Faethorne.  It is located on the most easterly of the five farms into which the land grant of Henry Jones, Faethorne’s father-in-law, had been divided.  Thus it was called the “East Range” while the most westerly, beside the Bridgen SideRoad, was named “West Wind”.

In 1829, Henry Jones received a tentative grant of 10,000 acres along Lake Huron to found a settlement.  Jones was a follower of Robert Owen, the Scottish social reformer, so the settlement called Maxwell was operated on communal lines.  By 1834, the scheme had failed, the community house had burned and Jones and his family commenced to farm the land grant which he received as a retired naval officer. 

Robert Faethorne married Jones’ daughter, Elizabeth, and farmed the East Range.  He was interested in race horses, imported trees to beautify his property and took an active part in the militia.  In 1862, he was promoted to full colonel to command the local military district until after the Fenian alarms of 1866 and 1868. 

Built of local material, the house was designed for comfortable living and gracious entertaining.  With two daughters and a son, the Faethorne’s took their place among the lakeshore gentry. 

On Faethorne’s death in 1897, the house was sold to Angus Jamieson.  In 1921, it was purchased by H.F. Holland who restored it and the grounds.  In 1934, it achieved notoriety when John Labatt, of the brewing family, who had rented it for the summer, was kidnapped on his way to London. 

In 1938, the house was sold once more.  Under the name of  Wildwood, it began a long career as a summer resort and golf club.  By 1978, it was badly in need of repairs when it passed into the hands of Sarnia Township.  It was restored to its present condition and started a new life as the Bright's Grove library and Gallery in the Grove.

The Foyer Renovations - working with the City of Sarnia, we are undertaking the updating of the second floor foyer entrance to the Gallery with improvements to painting, lighting and the doorway/entrance.

While still in the planning stages, a great deal of preliminary work has been accomplished.  Over the next few months, much thought and research will go into this project.  Our goal is to maintain the flavour of this heritage building and the atmosphere of by-gone days.

The Commemorative Garden…in the spring/summer of 2005, in partnership with the City of Sarnia, the landscaping around the Faethorne House was re-designed and all new gardens were planted with flowering plants and shrubs.  A plaque now stands in the garden dedicating it to the founding members of the gallery.