The City of Windsor has recognized those who combined $129,000 in donations to maintain and preserve a local landmark.
Donors to restoration and preservation programs at Willistead Manor were honoured at a recent reception, attended by Mayor Drew Dilkens, members of City Council, and others.
"The annual reception provided an opportunity for Willistead enthusiasts to deliver significant donations in support of Windsor’s historic gem in Walkerville," read a release from the City.
The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) provided a bulk of the total, donating $89,218.24. The money was raised at the 44th edition of Art in the Park, held the previous summer. The 2024 festival broke attendance records for the third year in a row, with 40,000 visitors and 285 exhibitors.
Charleigh Charitable Trust donated $25,000, the third payment of a multi-year commitment on behalf of Walker family descendants.
A great-great-granddaughter of Hiram Walker, Martha Henkel, presented a $10,000 donation as part of a multi-year commitment that began in 2023.
The Friends of Willistead, which is dedicated to the maintenance, restoration, and preservation of the manor and grounds, contributed $5,000.
Among the projects completed at Willistead Manor in 2024 were the completion of the main courtyard's restoration, the painting of a new cooling tower, the restoration of two terraces, the completion of work on sidewalks and the foundation, and the installation of a portrait of Mary Walker in the Great Hall.
Complete information on supporting the Willistead Manor can be found on the City's official website.