What’s Happening Now

FOA 2023 Annual General Meeting Postponed until Q1 2024

Unfortunately the Board of the Friends of Auchmar has decided to postpone the 2023 AGM which was originally scheduled for November 23, 2023. A new date for our 2023 AGM will be decided soon. The new date will likely be in early 2024. As soon as the date, time and location have been confirmed members will be notified.

In the meantime, we want you to know we are working with the city to plan events at Auchmar including Doors Open, to be held Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th,  2024. The theme this year is music at Auchmar.  We would very much appreciate your help again as volunteers at Doors Open and also hope you will consider renewing your support for FOA through your membership renewal.

On behalf of the board of the Friends of Auchmar, we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! Stay healthy!  Thank you again for your support.

If you would like to pay your Membership dues you may mail your dues. We have a Fillable FOA Membership Application Form available for download from this website. You may complete the form on your computer and save it, OR Print and complete by hand and scan and then attach the completed form to an email to membership@friendsofauchmar.ca or postal mail it to the address shown on the form. Payment of your membership dues can be made either by cheque, or by e-transfer to payments@friendsofauchmar.ca (Please use password FOA if prompted for a password). A simple renewal with no changes can be emailed to membership@friendsofauchmar.ca.

Please check back here often to get the latest updates on our upcoming AGM’s confirmed date/time and location.

The purpose of the Friends is to bring together those persons committed to the history, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and continuing public use of the Auchmar Manor House, its associated buildings and cultural landscape.

Auchmar Manor - Doors Open 2023
Auchmar Manor – Doors Open 2023

Mike Spadafora, Ward 14 Councillor, cut the ribbon at Auchmar for Sunday, Doors Open 2023. The rain did not dampen the spirits of the visitors. History information flowed through the arched hallways and was appreciated by all. Thanks everyone for another successful Doors Open at Auchmar.

HHF Heritage Window Contest

Congratulations to the 2 winners of the Heritage Window Contest.

Kristin Raab guessed 23 correct of 25 windows and Marilyn Coleman guessed 22 of 25 correctly.  They have both won $50 gift certificates for Indigo. The answers have been released to all who submitted. They are not posted currently as a few other groups are currently working on the same contest.  Congratulations again to Kristin and Marilyn and all those who participated.

Thanks again to the Hamilton Heritage Foundation and Carol Priamo for the photos and production of posters.

Find My Ward

Would you like to help save Auchmar and see it restored and repurposed? Please contact your councillor. You can use this City of Hamilton Ward Map to determine your ward and councillor if you do not know.

Call for Photographs

Over 21 years ago, the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society commenced work on the book, Mountain Memories, which was well received. Part of that work was a Call for Photographs from the community for consideration in the book. The community responded passionately, sending numerous images.

The FOA is currently undertaking  a photo essay project and we are calling upon the owners and custodians of private photograph collections within the community.

The intent is to feature the Auchmar Estate throughout the decades, using unseen or rarely seen photographs, which depict the various eras of ownership and use. It will highlight and include the Buchanan family, the Young family, the  R.C.A.F. and the Hungarian Sisters of Social Service among others.

Your contribution would be most welcomed and greatly appreciated. All photographs and originals would be scanned and returned to the owners.

Submissions, photographic and anecdotal, may be emailed to info@friendsofauchmar.ca  or mailed to the following address:  Friends of Auchmar, c/o 170 East 24th Street, Hamilton, Ontario L8V 2Y3. Please include a return mailing address.

About Auchmar Manor House

In 1852, Isaac Buchanan bought 54 acres of land on the Hamilton Mountain. The property stretched from the mountain brow to Fennell Ave. He built a summer cottage which eventually became Buchanan’s Manor House & Estate.

The purpose of the Friends is to bring together those persons committed to the history, preservation, conservation, rehabilitation and continuing public use of the Auchmar Manor House, its associated buildings and cultural landscape.