Queen Victoria Fountain Replica Crown Unveiled at Willistead Manor
Local Questers Group Acknowledged for Contributions to Collection
The City of Windsor, the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors, and partners have unveiled the latest addition to the collection of artifacts and artworks at Willistead Manor that help share the history of Walkerville and the city of Windsor: the Queen Victoria Fountain Replica Crown.
The Queen Victoria Fountain in Windsor, Ontario, is a historic landmark originally erected in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The fountain was donated to the town of Walkerville by Hiram Walker & Sons in 1897, and originally placed near the railway station and other sites. Today, the fountain is located on the grounds of Willistead Manor within Willistead Park — in the heart of historic Walkerville.
The fountain was moved to the park property in 1958 to ensure its preservation after spending its early decades near Devonshire Road and Riverside Drive. The fountain is made of limestone, copper, and bronze, measuring roughly 396 by 450 by 452 centimetres.
Members of the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors partnered with the Questers in Windsor to create a replica of the imperial crown that once sat atop the fountain’s copper roof.
This replica crown will be on permanent display within Willistead Manor. The replica crown was commissioned by the board, with funding support from several local chapters of the Questers, including Talbot Trail, Maple Leafs, The Border City Stars, Windsor Rum Runners, Pelle Past, Canadian Club, and Gateway Heirlooms.
Local historian and filmmaker Michael Evans commissioned local 3D modeller Justin Goulet to create the 3D file of the crown. The Queen Victoria Fountain figures prominently in Evans’ film “It Happened In Walkerville,” which premiered at the Windsor International Film Festival in October 2024 at Windsor’s historic Capitol Theatre downtown. In the film, Evans uncovers the rich history of the historic “town that whisky built,” using archival film footage, photographs, maps, and insurance diagrams. The film highlights local landmarks like Willistead Manor, the former Pere Marquette train station, the old distillery district, and the legacy of Hiram Walker.
Working from Goulet’s 3D file, the crown was produced by local company Manor Tool and Die Ltd. The finishing touches were applied by professional visual artist Nora Harvey, who is based in Walkerville and presents a captivating portfolio that spans landscapes, multimedia, and Abstract Expressionism. For the replica crown, Harvey focused on recreating the copper patina — a thin, protective layer that forms on the surface of copper through natural oxidation or chemical treatment.
The board also took the opportunity to thank the local Questers chapters for their 2019 contribution of nearly $3,000 to support the restoration of a portrait of Elizabeth Talman Walker by artist Frank Percy Wild, which is on permanent display in the Dining Room of Willistead Manor. The portrait, dated 1913, is an oil on canvas, measures 49.5 inches high by 39.25 inches wide, and features the daughter of James Harrington Walker, who was the son of Hiram Walker and brother of Edward Chandler Walker. Edward was the builder, original owner, and brief inhabitant of Willistead Manor.
Both the portrait and the new replica crown provide a meaningful and compelling link between Willistead Manor and the Walker family. Their presence within Willistead Manor increases opportunities for interpretation of Windsor’s rich history and heritage at the site.
The replica crown is the latest enhancement at Willistead Manor aimed at continuing to inspire community engagement with the historic facility. Recent highlights, from restoration work to exhibition development to projects and initiatives, include the following:
- Completion of full restoration of the Main Courtyard to its original layout
- Installation of a new Main Courtyard accessibility ramp
- 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
- Beginning of work to rebuild 50 pillars in the Willistead Park perimeter fence
- Beginning of work to improve centuries old pipes within the manor
- 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
- Creation, installation and unveiling of the expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition, featuring the donated collection of the late Art Jahns
- Acquisition of a significant donation of artwork, artifacts, furniture, candelabras, vases, mirrors, statues, and more from Art Windsor-Essex
Quotes:
“This has been such an exciting stretch for Willistead Manor in the city of Windsor! City Council and the City remain committed to heritage conservation and preservation at the historic home in Walkerville. From the recent opening of the expanded Coach House Historical Exhibition, to production of the Canadian Club Heritage Brand Centre virtual tour, to this latest addition of the Queen Victoria Fountain Replica Crown, we are working to support ongoing restoration and preservation work, new acquisitions, and numerous engagement opportunities at the manor. Willistead remains a vital piece of the arts, culture, and heritage community; and a vibrant draw for local, regional, national, and international tourists. Thank you to the Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors for leading this latest project; to historian Michael Evans, artist Nora Harvey, and the team at Manor Tool and Die Ltd. for bringing it to life; and everyone who continues to engage with Windsor’s heritage gem in Walkerville.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
“The Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors remains grateful for and inspired by the ongoing involvement, support and engagement for the manor by our donors, partners, rental parties, artists, and performers. We especially thank the Questers for their ongoing contributions, and everyone involved in the crown recreation project.”
- Douglas Sanborn, Chair, Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors
“A project like this is only possible through the vision, commitment, and excitement of interested historians, talented artists, and strong community partners. Thank you to Mike Evans, Doug Sanborn and the team at Manor Tool and Die Ltd., and Nora Harvey for bringing your talent and passion to this project. Thank you to the Friends of Willistead for continuing to interpret the history of the manor for all guests who visit us. Thank you to the Questers for investing in history, heritage, and storytelling at Willistead Manor in Windsor.”
- Robert Gauthier, Chair, Acquisitions, Willistead Manor Inc. Board of Directors
“Our members help care for places, objects, and collections that carry history forward in the community. We have for years donated to Willistead Manor, the Duff-Baby house, and did manual projects, such as building a split rail fence at John R. Park Homestead, or building a fence around the North Buxton Museum Cabin. We have provided money for many restoration projects in and around Essex County.”
- Sue Champagne, Questers
“Seeing this vision fulfilled by the Willistead Manor board is like a dream come true. It makes me wonder what other dreams and ideas we as Windsorites can realize in the future!”
- Michael Evans, Local Historian and Filmmaker
“As a long-time resident of Walkerville, I have been deeply involved with Willistead Manor over the years dedicating countless volunteer hours to the preservation of this beautiful estate. I am honoured and very grateful to have been commissioned to complete the finishing work on this replica crown project. In regard to the painting of the crown, my process involved several days of continuous colour matching resulting in over seven layers of paint from an initial primer to the finishing details. This was needed to ensure the crown had an appropriately aged, textured and oxidized final appearance. Thank you to the team for placing their trust in my artistic vision.”
- Nora Harvey, Contemporary Visual Artist