The subject property has been researched and evaluated to determine its cultural heritage significance according to Ontario Regulation 9/06. This Regulation, defined in the Ontario Heritage Act, outlines several criteria for determining whether a property is of cultural heritage value or interest. For a property to be designated under section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, it must meet two or more of these criteria, which are outlined below. By using these criteria, staff can determine if the property’s cultural heritage value or interest merits designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Description of Property
The property at 4381 Line 10 is located on the south side Line 6. The property contains a c.1880s residential home designed in the gothic revival architectural style. Due to its association with early settler families, it is known as the Merrick House.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Design/ Physical Value
The Merrick House has design and physical value as representative example of c.1880 Gothic Revival Architectural Style. The house was built around 1880 and has elements of which includes: end gable rooves, central dormer, symmetrical three bay façade with a wooden front porch
Historical/ Associative Value
The Merrick House has historic/associative value for its direct association with the Merrick Family. The family were early settlers in the Bradford/West Gwillimbury community, and particularly the village of Newton Robinson. The Merrick Family built mills, homes (including the home of the Honourable Earle Row) as well as churches in Tottenham, Coulson’s Hill and built the (now named) Newton Robinson United Church.
Contextual Value
The Merrick House has contextual value as it sits along Line 10 in the Hamlet of Newton Robinson, contributing to the historic village streetscape.
Description of Heritage Attributes
Key heritage attributes of the Merrick House that exemplify its heritage value as a Ontario Vernacular home with Gothic Revival elementary as it relates to the two storey residential building include:
- end gable rooves
- central dormer
- symmetrical three bay façade
- front porch
More information about the history of the subject property can be found in the Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report, prepared by the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Municipal Heritage Committee (February 2025).