Auchmar

Auchmar Auchmar, Clairmont Park, Hamilton
Preserving Auchmars history
Page admin - Author - Leanne Pluthero It was built by Hon.

History and future of the Auchmar Estate in Hamilton, Ontario Canada. The Auchmar Estate is located on nine acres at the northeast corner of Fennell Avenue and West 5th, Hamilton. Isaac Buchanan in 1852-54 and is the best-preserved property of its kind in Ontario. It is now owned by the city of Hamilton and steps toward restoration have begun. You can purchase Leanne's book here - https://attawa.c

a/product/auchmar-portrait-of-a-home/

You can purchase Bill's book here - https://attawa.ca/product/buchanan-of-auchmar/

Site moderated by Leanne Pluthero.

"Surely the walls of Auchmar must have looked down in amazement at what they saw and heard; perchance a sigh now and the...
06/24/2026

"Surely the walls of Auchmar must have looked down in amazement at what they saw and heard; perchance a sigh now and then drifted softly away on a summer's breeze."
- Evelyn Grayson Buchanan - Isaac and Agnes' granddaughter.

Photo - Mike Heinhold - 2023

1866 — After RidgewayTrue Day:Ambulance wagons arriving.Dining room transformed.Servants stripping beds.Boiling bandages...
06/23/2026

1866 — After Ridgeway

True Day:

Ambulance wagons arriving.

Dining room transformed.

Servants stripping beds.

Boiling bandages.

Kitchen producing broth and tea instead of formal dinners.

Housemaids carrying hot water upstairs.

Coachman helping unload wounded men.

Quiet fear beneath practiced efficiency.

Very powerful scene.

"I was safely tucked away in Toronto during the period of closing Auchmar and moving into The Lilacs, but I was with Aun...
06/22/2026

"I was safely tucked away in Toronto during the period of closing Auchmar and moving into The Lilacs, but I was with Aunt Elsie and Marie when we went to look at one house on Concession Street - The Jolly House, the house that would later be The Dale Community Center.

At the time we looked at it, an old man had been living there as caretaker - at one time, he had engraved tombstones apparently, he made an error on one of the stones, so he put it on blocks and used it as a table. It was so heavy - he left it behind.

Years later, when we had Brownie and Guide meetings in that same room - I wondered what happened to the tombstone!?" - Deb's diary

Photo - Murdoch, Bruce, 1895-1966
1955-04-23
Spectator Caption:
Dale Community Centre, formerly James Jolley's mansion.

1854 — The New HouseA Day At AuchmarEarly morning.Servants unpacking crates.Wet plaster smell.Kitchen confusion.William ...
06/22/2026

1854 — The New House

A Day At Auchmar

Early morning.

Servants unpacking crates.

Wet plaster smell.

Kitchen confusion.

William Chapman surveying newly planted grounds.

Nurse Elizabeth trying to settle overtired children.

Agnes directing furniture placement.

Isaac proudly touring guests through unfinished rooms.

Below stairs?

Coal dust.

Missing linens.

Cook cursing the unfamiliar range.

Happy Father's Day!Isaac Buchanan was a very loving father to his 11 children.We have seen many letters back and forth b...
06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day!

Isaac Buchanan was a very loving father to his 11 children.

We have seen many letters back and forth between him and his children over the years and it shows a great deal of love and affection. Isaac travelled a lot and missed out on many things at home but he still made sure his children knew they were loved dearly.

We have a letter here from Peter Toronto to his father, Isaac, dated September 6th, 1854 from Clairmont Park.

Peter would have been 10 years old when writing this letter.

My dear Papa, We wish you would come home again Mr. Wardrope and I went out to Mr. Cook's to bring in a black pony of Mr. McCleland we kept it here two nights I rode it down to town today we were at church today it was a day of thanksgiving: the oats and barley are all threshed the shed Spot had 13 puppies last Sunday John drowned 7 of them we have 6 now. The children join me in kind kisses and, love and believe me my dear Papa your very affectionate son. Peter Toronto Buchanan.

**Now before people jump on me for mentioning drowning puppies, this was the Victorian era and it happened. I do not support this at all and didn't even want to include it in the message but it is part of history.**

Photo 1 - This is a painting done by the eldest sister, Jane Buchanan of her father, Isaac in 1871.

Photo 2 - The letter from Peter Buchanan to his father, 166 years ago. This letter is in the Buchanan papers in Ottawa.

Photo 3 - Isaac, Agnes and their 11 children.

A monthly nurse was employed during pregnancy, childbirth, and the weeks following delivery, supporting both mother and ...
06/20/2026

A monthly nurse was employed during pregnancy, childbirth, and the weeks following
delivery, supporting both mother and infant through a period that was often dangerous and exhausting. When the census was taken, the Buchanans already had five children under the age of seven, with Margaret the youngest. We also know that Harris Buchanan was born on April 10, 1851, confirming that Agnes Buchanan was pregnant at the time the census was recorded. Jane’s presence in the household reflects that moment of anticipation, strain, and careful preparation.

Get your copy now and learn all about the Servant Life at Auchmar!

https://a.co/d/051z0v7j

Sent in by Janice Elizabeth Lamb -2010The butler's pantry sits between the family dining room and kitchen.
06/19/2026

Sent in by Janice Elizabeth Lamb -2010

The butler's pantry sits between the family dining room and kitchen.

Plunger Butter Churn, Victorian, OriginalThis plunger churn dates from 19th century. It was called a plunger churn becau...
06/18/2026

Plunger Butter Churn, Victorian, Original

This plunger churn dates from 19th century. It was called a plunger churn because the dairymaid plunged the tool up and down vigorously. It was also known as the Scottish churn. Butter churners like this one were used in many dairy farms in the 19th century along with the milking stool, butter pats and butter prints.

It is made of three parts - the churn, the plunger/dasher and the lid. The wood has shrunk because of repeated wetting and drying out and so the barrel is narrower than it was originally. You can see where the metal bands have slipped down because the original rings are lighter on the wood. The wooden plunger looks like a long broom handle and at the end is a circular disc with holes. This was sometimes called a dasher. The lid fitted on top to stop the cream splashing over in waves when it was churned.

The dairymaid put soured cream in the churner, filling it half-full. Any more and it would splash over the top and be too heavy to churn. She churned the butter using her strong arms and a steady rhythm, raising the plunger all the way up and pushed it all the way down, turning the plunger around as she did so. She kept this up for around an hour and a half - an exhausting job.

As the dairymaid churned, the cream got thicker and thicker. Eventually it separated into small balls of butter and thin cloudy buttermilk or whey. The butter was then removed from the churn and washed in cold water. All the air and water was squeezed out. Salt was added to preserve the butter. Lastly, the butter was shaped into bricks using butter pats or scotch hands.

Good morning, everyone!Did you know Buchanan had 11 children, but only 10 made it to adulthood!?Here is his one daughter...
06/18/2026

Good morning, everyone!

Did you know Buchanan had 11 children, but only 10 made it to adulthood!?

Here is his one daughter, Margaret Buchanan, aged about 10. She was photographed by Notman along with her father when he took her down to Quebec in 1862.

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Hamilton, ON

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