Heritage Mississauga Heritage Guide

Heritage Partners
The Grange
1921 Dundas Street West
Fireplace Hearth at The Grange
Heritage Mississauga
The Robinson-Adamson House, also
known as “The Grange”, located in the
centre of Mississauga at Dundas St. W.
in Erindale, is owned by the City of
Mississauga and managed by Heritage
Mississauga. The building and its
park-like setting is used by Heritage
Mississauga and the community for
events and programs.
The Grange was built for Sir John
Beverley Robinson, the first Chief Justice
of Upper Canada, sometime between 1828
and 1833 for the dual purpose of being a
government office and a rural retreat
from his rigorous professional schedule.
The Ontario Regency style of architecture
and the high quality craftsmanship reflect
the status of its original owner.
Many owners throughout history
have cared for this building including
Dr. Beaumont Wilson Bowen Dixie in
1843. Dr. Dixie, a greatly loved doctor
who served this area for many years,
is attributed with adding the original
summer kitchen as well as a number of
outbuildings. Others who lived in the
cottage are Colonel Charles Mitchell, the
Very Reverend Dean Henry Grossett of
St. James Cathedral in Toronto and the
renowned artist Charlotte Schreiber. The
last owners of The Grange, the Adamson
family, owned the property from 1910
to 1973. The last Adamson to live in
the home was Henry Harvie (Harry)
Adamson. Harry was a farmer and kept a
large orchard. In the winter months Harry
stabled ponies from Taylor Statton’s camp
and racehorses for E.P. Taylor.
In the 1970s Cadillac Fairview
Corporation acquired the property
and deeded “The Grange” to the City
of Mississauga in 1978. Local Historical
Societies and City Councillors lobbied
to preserve the building and restore it to
its former glory. In 1982 “The Grange”
opened and was designated by the Ontario
Heritage Trust as a significant historical
and architectural landmark. For the next
19 years Scouts Canada used the building
as their Central Escarpment Region
offices serving the community. In 2004,
Heritage Mississauga officially took over
the facility and welcomed its founding
member, Arthur Grant Clarkson, to help
cut the ribbon. Grant was also a member
of the team that lobbied to save the
building.
Heritage Mississauga takes pride in its
stewardship of this important heritage
gem in our city. We invite you to visit us,
share a heritage experience as you tour
the site, enjoy the exhibits and learn more
about the unique heritage of Mississauga.
8 Heritage Guide of Mississauga