July Brings Exciting Opportunities to Experience Willistead Manor
6th Annual High Tea and Garden Party, Exhibition Opening, and Roaring '20s and Prohibition-Themed Gala Event Invite Guests to Step Back in Time
A jam-packed month of events and engagements comes to Willistead Manor (1899 Niagara Street) this July through the At the Manor event offerings.
Grand Opening of the Coach House Historical Exhibition Expansion
Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Coach House at Willistead Park
Everyone is invited to join Mayor Drew Dilkens, members of City Council, City administration, Walker family descendants, the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors, the Friends of Willistead, and more for the grand opening, ribbon-cutting, and free tours of the newly expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition.
In 2022, the City of Windsor opened this exhibit onsite at the Willistead Manor Complex, in Studio A of the Coach House. Through the 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 Willistead Manor, and 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 in the exhibit space is provided by the documentary Walkerville’s Willistead 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. In 2025, Karyn Templin and Christine Malott, the daughters of Art Jahns, worked with Mayor Dilkens to donate their father’s collection to the City of Windsor. The significant donation will now form the basis of a major expansion to the existing Coach House Historical Exhibition.
The scope of work has included uncovering and restoring original portions of the ceiling and terrazzo flooring throughout the Coach House, restoring and enhancing the main floor of the building, designing and installing an entirely new exhibition room to showcase the items from the Estate of Art Jahns, and restoration work on the second floor to create additional artifact storage space for Museum Windsor’s growing collection. The original exhibition and restoration work at the Coach House earned the prestigious 2025 Kulisek Prize from the Department of History at the University of Windsor, recognizing the significant efforts to preserve and share local history.
Hiram Walker’s 210th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Willistead Manor
Tickets: $100 per guest and available as of June 6 at www.ThymeToGo.ca
In honour of the 210th birthday of Hiram Walker, the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors and Thyme To-Go will host a Roaring '20s and Prohibition-themed evening fundraising event at Willistead Manor. Guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres including game meat charcuterie skewers, lamb lollipops, jumbo shrimp cocktail, mini beef wellingtons, beef filet bites, Thai chicken satays, pistachio crusted goat cheese truffles, deviled eggs, mini tea sandwiches, vegetarian rice paper rolls, leek and mushroom and goat cheese mini quiche, a complimentary whisky tasting, and desserts galore. The evening’s entertainment will include performances by The Coffee House Combo jazz band, The Broadway Bunch, and the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra; as well as readings with psychic mediums Linda Dumouchel and Kristie Trepanier, caricature artist April Hawkes, photos with antique automobiles, 50/50 draws, and much more. A portion of each ticket sale will go towards the ongoing restoration of Willistead Manor. The evening is supported by the City of Windsor, Thyme To-Go, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, the Friends of Willistead, Walkerville Brewery, and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Space is limited. Tickets are $100 per guest and are available as of June 6, 2026, at www.ThymeToGo.ca.
6th Annual High Tea and Garden Party
Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Willistead Manor.
Seatings at 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $55 per person and available as of June 6 at www.ThymeToGo.ca
The July summer tours season kicks off at Willistead Manor with one of the At the Manor series’ most popular events. The 6th Annual High Tea and Garden Party will once again be presented in partnership with Thyme To-Go. This year, three seatings are available at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person and are available as of June 6, 2026, at www.ThymeToGo.ca. Seating is limited, and those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets early. This unforgettable experience includes assorted teas served in tea sets from the Friends of Willistead’s own collection; a menu of picture-perfect tea sandwiches, pastries, fruits, scones, and traditional High Tea accompaniments; and guided tours of the Paul Martin Gardens from members of the City of Windsor’s Horticulture team at set times. Fancy high-tea hats are optional (and encouraged). For this event each year, the City’s Horticulture team sets out a stunning display of plants both inside Willistead Manor and in the outdoor Paul Martin Gardens, creating many opportunities for memorable photos. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to visit the expanded and enhanced Coach House Historical Exhibition, which is supported by the Charleigh Charitable Trust; Walker descendants, including Martha Henkel; Willistead Manor Inc.; Friends of Willistead; and the City of Windsor; and featuring items from the Estate of Art Jahns.
July Summer Tours
Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2026: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sundays, July 12, 19 and 26, 2026: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prices: $7.00 adults, $6.00 students and seniors, $4.00 children 12 and under
Public tours of Willistead Manor are offered throughout the months of July and December each year. Summer is the ideal time to visit and see the building’s natural beauty. Tours of the manor include stories provided by the Friends of Willistead, and access to the enhanced and expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition. After exploring the exhibition, head across the parking lot to Willistead Manor for a tour of the grand estate. Members of the Friends of Willistead will be stationed throughout the building to answer questions from guests and provide some context and historical interpretation. Special Willistead-themed keepsake items are available for purchase onsite from the Friends of Willistead. Tour reservations are not required in advance. Tickets are purchased onsite upon arrival at the Coach House and may be purchased using cash, debit or credit.
These unique At the Manor events and initiatives take place in the City’s historic manor in Walkerville, co-produced by the City’s Culture Department and the manor’s exclusive caterer. Thyme To-Go Head Chef Julie Myers designs special menus that draw inspiration from Willistead’s history and from her travels around the world, created with fresh and local ingredients wherever possible.
Willistead Manor has a storied history in the community. Today, this cultural gem in Windsor is the perfect location for tours, weddings, receptions, meetings, performances and special events. Willistead Manor was recently recognized in the 11th Annual Best of Windsor-Essex Awards with the “Best Attraction – Historical” award for the third consecutive year and was also nominated for “Best Tour Experience.”
Everyone is invited to explore and fall in love with Willistead Manor this summer in the city of Windsor.
Quotes:
“This really is an exciting time for the story of Willistead Manor. July 2026 provides fantastic opportunities to discover, rediscover, explore, and experience this historic home in Walkerville. City Council and the City of Windsor remain committed to heritage conservation and preservation at this site, and beyond. The expansion of the Coach House Historical Exhibition includes significant work to restore and enhance original heritage elements of the building adjacent to the main manor house. Now is the time to showcase that work, and to celebrate the contributions of Hiram Walker and the Walker legacy to the formation and prosperity of Windsor. Through the 6th Annual High Tea and Garden Party, opening of the expanded Coach House exhibition, full month of summer tours, and the celebratory fundraiser evening, we are Investing Responsibly to preserve the manor while enhancing public access through events and initiatives, ongoing restoration and preservation work, and new acquisitions. I’ve often said that the city of Windsor would be a shadow of itself without the indelible contributions of Hiram Walker. As we celebrate Hiram’s 210th birthday, these events honour that legacy and the impacts that continue to this day. I extend sincere thanks to the Walker family descendants; Robert Gauthier, Douglas Sanborn, Colleen Gaudette, and all members of the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors; the Friends of Willistead; Karyn Templin, Christine Malott and the Estate of Art Jahns; Thyme To-Go; Chris Renaud and HCA Mindbox; Museum Windsor; Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island; the Windsor Symphony Orchestra; Walkerville Brewery; and everyone involved in this exciting time for Willistead Manor.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
"The Thyme To-Go team looks forward to all of the At the Manor series events, and our High Tea and Garden Party was one of the experiences that started it all. Seeing our guests fall in love with the manor through recent Easter and Mother’s Day events was truly special. Combining the exciting summer garden party with summer tours and the celebration of Hiram Walker’s milestone 210th birthday, along with the expanded historical exhibition at the Coach House provides such amazing opportunities to help strengthen Willistead Manor for the future. We cannot wait to treat everyone to another memorable set of experiences this time around. We’ve put together incredible and unforgettable menus, and the City will have the manor looking like a beautiful garden throughout these events. Join us for the magic."
- Julie Myers, Head Chef and Owner, Thyme To-Go, Willistead Manor's Exclusive Caterer and At the Manor partner
Further details on the At the Manor events and programming series can be found at www.Willistead.ca. To learn more about culture and heritage services at the City of Windsor, visit www.CityWindsor.ca or contact 311.