Waverley Place restoration invites Clarington residents to rediscover a local treasure

Waverley Place, a heritage home-turned-museum in the heart of Bowmanville’s historic downtown, has undergone a $500,000 restoration to continue to preserve its architectural legacy and welcome more residents through its doors.

As part of the ongoing commitment to maintaining the Waverley Place, the most recent phase of restoration focused on preserving its character while making it more welcoming to all. From the porch to the pathways, every upgrade was designed with care while balancing historic integrity with accessibility improvements.

“Waverley Place is a standout landmark in downtown Bowmanville. This restoration was lovingly done to preserve the treasured heritage character, and now even more folks can enjoy the charming veranda and grounds. We’re making sure everyone gets a chance to experience the past at this historic spot with ongoing maintenance and preservation, even while Clarington keeps growing,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

Mayor Adrian Foster, Council Members, and municipal staff joined Clarington Library, Museums & Archives staff and board members to celebrate the restoration of one of Bowmanville’s most cherished historic homes.

Clarington’s Heritage Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee guided the restoration process to ensure the project reflected community values and needs while honouring the original design of the building. Work completed included:

• Porch columns were recreated to reflect the 19th-century design using fibreglass for strength and visual accuracy.
• Accoya wood was selected for handrails and spindles to ensure long-term durability without compromising the historic look.
• Chimneys were rebuilt using heritage mortar and bricks carefully matched to the original colour and texture, preserving the home’s silhouette and structural integrity.
• Repaired the interior ceiling with close attention to the original plasterwork and proportions, helping retain the atmosphere of its early 20th-century design.
• Exterior storm windows were repaired, re-painted and re-installed.

Additional restoration work will continue in 2026, including replacing the veranda light fixture, repairing woodwork above the new porch columns, and replacing cedar shingles on the north porch roof.

"The culmination of this most recent restoration work is an important milestone for the community," states Tenzin Shomar, Chair, Clarington Public Library Board. "It was integral to the project to not only preserve the beautiful architecture of this heritage building, but help ensure its accessibility. It's a living historical site, and we're thrilled to welcome the community to continue enjoying tours, programming, and special events at the Waverley Place Museum."

Originally built in 1847 by David Fisher and later home to the Jury family, Waverley Place is one of Bowmanville’s earliest brick homes. Its architecture reflects Regency and Italianate styles. Today, the home offers a glimpse into life between 1901 and 1930, when the Jury family lived there. The site is now part of the Clarington Library, Museums & Archives and continues to serve as a space for public programs, rentals, and heritage education.

Visit Waverley Place at 37 Silver Street, Bowmanville and experience the magic of this beautiful home firsthand. For hours and more information, visit www.cplma.ca.

Media inquiries:

Municipality of Clarington
Sarah Raso, Communications Officer
905-260-3495 | sraso@clarington.net

Clarington Library, Museums & Archives
Samantha Aitken, Manager, Marketing and Community Engagement
905-623-7322 ext. 2708 | saitken@cplma.ca

Come step back in time. Waverley Place’s restored porch and pathways invite you to experience Bowmanville’s history in a space that feels as welcoming as ever.

Waverley Place Museum is just steps away from historic downtown Bowmanville. Be sure to book a tour and see it for yourself.