Near Grafton in Northumberland County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Barnum House
⎯⎯⎯
La Maison Barnum
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 8, 2025
1. Barnum House Marker
Built ca. 1820 for Colonel Eliakim Barnum, an American emigrant, this timber-framed home is recognized as an outstanding example of Neoclassic domestic architecture in Canada. While retaining a Palladian composition of centre block and wings, the house expresses the Neoclassic mode the temple facade of the principal building, the dominant pediment and the smooth wall surfaces relieved by blind arcading. The pedimented, pilastered door, the enriched cornices and the tympanum fan are Neoclassic decorative motifs executed here with a delicacy and linearity peculiar to wood
Erected by Historic
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.
Location. 43° 59.446′ N, 78° 2.609′ W. Marker is near Grafton, Ontario, in Northumberland County. It is at the intersection of County Road 2 and Barnum house Road, on the right when traveling west on County Road 2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10568 County Rd 2, Grafton ON K0K 2G0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area and in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Barnum House / Maison Barnum
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 8, 2025
2. Barnum House / La Maison Barnum Marker
More about this marker. As of June 2025, the Barnum House property was undergoing construction, making direct access to the to the marker difficult
Also see . . . Barnum House (/historic Places of Canada).
Eliakim Barnum, born in 1784 in the United States, immigrated as a late Loyalist to Haldimand Township, Upper Canada, in c. 1807. He purchased 100 acres of land on the southern half of Lot 23, Concession 1, in 1812, from James Norris. Despite the sale, Norris continued to live in his house, already built on the property. It was accidentally destroyed by fire, set by soldiers quartered in his home, during the War of 1812. Norris was left financially devastated and sold the other half of Lot 23 to Barnum, in 1814.(Submitted on June 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)In about 1819, Barnum built a two-storey neoclassical structure on the foundations of Norris' home. The family operated a grist mill, tavern and distillery, but the majority of their revenue came from farming.19253. Barnum House in 1925Source: Library and Archives Canada (public domain)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 8, 2025
4. Barnum House in June 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
