Built in 1862, Hillary House is recognized by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board as one of Canada’s best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. It contains a significant collection of medical instruments, books, papers, household furnishings, and equipment dating from the early nineteenth to the late twentieth century and is open to the public as Hillary House, the Koffler Museum of Medicine.

Hillary House is potentially among the foremost historic house museums in North America, combining architectural significance and the personal possessions of three generations of medical doctors who worked and lived there with their families. It is a window to a time of immense change, from the era of leeches and bleeding to the advent of penicillin; from a time of calling cards and private ballrooms to the arrival of the phonograph.

The Aurora Historical Society (AHS) is an independent, volunteer-led, non-profit organization dedicated to heritage education for all ages. Since 1963, the AHS has worked to preserve and promote Aurora’s local heritage by offering innovative programming, hosting unique events, and making the town’s history accessible through a wide range of exhibitions. 

Website: www.aurorahs.com

Type: Heritage Service Organization | Community Museum