In the early 1900s, Edmund Cockshutt was one of Ontario’s first commercial horticulturists as proprietor of the Winter Garden Co., a year-round florist shop located in Brantford.
The son of Ignatius Cockshutt, a founder of the original Cockshutt plow factory in Brantford, also became the first commercial grower of hothouse tomatoes and mushrooms in greenhouses located on Park Avenue.
Glenhyrst
In 1914, Edmund purchased 15.5 acres of land between what is now Ava Road and the Grand River from the Stratford family. They had named the property Glenhyrst after the family home in Scotland. Edmund kept the name.
He began landscaping around Glenhyrst.
In the lower garden, he grew experimental and exotic plants. With the help of gardeners, he created an outstanding array of gardens on the upper level.
Because his great love was his gardens, Edmund posted a “Visitors Welcome” sign on the entrance gate, encouraging people to enjoy their beauty.
Throughout the years he surrounded his home with at least one of every kind of tree that could be grown in Ontario. Each tree had a label, some of which still exist.
His house was designed by Brantford architect FC Bodley. The rug brick was set in a tile pattern and the slate on the roof was laid so that the tiles close to the eves are large. They grow smaller as they go up to the ridge, making the house appear larger.
The use of led glass in bay windows and bevelled glass throughout the double-door entrance add to the house’s stately elegance.
In 1956, trustees of Edmund Cockshutt’s will donated the estate to the City of Brantford.
The property is now home to the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant.
Memories of Glenhyrst Gardens
One day, while walking at Glenhyrst, I met a friend, Bob Livingstone, who has been walking the property for the past 16 or so years. I asked if he would consider writing about some of his memories of Glenhyrst. He agreed and is sharing them with us here:
“Glenhyrst has special meaning for me, as it probably has for many people who can relate to their experiences at this wonderful facility. Glenhyrst is a wonderful place to walk, sit, read, meditate, walk your dog or just relax. This gift to the city is a gem in Brantford’s park system. I have never taken for granted the privilege of walking there and I thank the people who keep it so beautiful.
“My first recollection of Glenhyrst dates to the early 1950s when, as a youth, I experienced my first crush. She lived down the street from me and we rode our bikes to Glenhyrst where, while holding hands, we pedaled around what was then a circular gravel roadway circumventing the grounds. We were oblivious to to our surroundings until we were abruptly stopped by the gardener, who sternly told us that we were on private property and, therefore, trespassing. The estate at that time was still owned by Edmund Cockshutt. So, we beat a hasty retreat. This also was the end of our brief romance.
“My second recollection was after the estate had been willed to the city as a “people’s place.” I joined members of my family to witness a performance there of a play written by local playwright ER Procunier. At that time, what is now the tea room, was an open porch for the mansion. This was used as a stage for the performance put on by the Brantford Drama League. Audience members brought their own chairs and sat among the trees on the grounds to enjoy the production in the open air.
“Unknown to me, this was the prelude to my greatest romance. My wife of 62 years was part of the backstage crew. We met some months later at a house party on New Year’s Eve 1958. And we rang in the new year in the bell tower at Grace Church.
“Both early recollections had a romantic touch to them.”
dogs
“The next time Glenhyrst influenced my life was in 2006, when I acquired my beautiful black Eurasier dog, whom we named Logan. We wanted a safe quiet place for our daily walks. And, as Glenhyrst was a five-minute drive from our home, we started walking there every day until Logan’s passing in 2019. I continue my daily walks there to this day.
“Over those 12 years, Logan got to know every blade of grass at Glenhyrst. She soon chose her favorite places to visit, which included the ravine back of the coach house, the natural stage or balcony in the center of the grounds and the wooden gazebo, which we witnessed being rebuilt a few years back.
“In summer, we got to meet the talented people, who maintain the marvelous flower beds at Glenhyrst. And, in the fall, after all the beds had been removed, we got to meet the team of people responsible for creating the marvelous Glenhyrst Christmas light display.
“Glenhyrst is a popular place for dog owners to walk their pets in a peaceful environment. Many are neighbors who live near the grounds. Others travel some distance. Many friendships have been made through encounters among fellow dog owners.
“Often when meeting someone, it is easier to remember the dog’s name than the owner’s. After the dogs have done their meet-and-greets, it is nice to see them, all different shapes and sizes, walk together as their owners chat. During these encounters, there have been several acts of kindness exchanged, which never will be forgotten. There is something of a dog culture here.”
David Hind
“In 2009, artist David Hind erected a sculpture he called Megs Pause. His sculpture is the one with the huge hands holding a round stone depicting a seed. We put him on one of our walks and had a nice conversation.
“I do not often frequent the art gallery but David once had a mural on display called The Ours River. It was made of recycled aluminum and filled an entire wall.
“When I saw it, I was awestruck and moved. The depiction was of a boat filled with people of different races going on the river with Brantford’s skyline in the background.”
Water sprinklers
“A few summers back, Glenhyrst became a desert while an underground irrigation system was installed. It was a terribly dry hot summer and the work was very slow. Trenches were dug in multiple directions into the sandy soil. The park was a pathetic sight compared to the beauty of today with its lush green lawns and beds a riot of color. After the sprinkler system was installed one had to be careful, otherwise a good soaking could be the outcome.”
Golden Teapot,
“A few years ago, another wonderful innovation happened in the gallery and that was the opening of the Golden Teapot tea room in the now closed former porch area. In speaking with visitors, I have found that some people come from great distances to partake of the tasty high and low teas. An outdoor patio has recently been constructed beside the tea room adding to its ambience.”
Murdoch Mysteries
“Glenhyrst has caught the eye of the crew behind the popular Murdoch Mysteries TV series, which has used the beautiful grounds as a set in several of their productions in recent years. I recall watching an episode called Murdoch Goes to the Opera. There, before my eyes, the Glenhyrst grounds unfolded on my TV screen, I remember exclaiming out loud that I know this place from having walked it so much in the last 16 years.
“Once, on one of our walks, I recall seeing what appeared to be a Victorian-style monument being erected on the natural raised stage in the center of the grounds. There were two men walking with clipboards. So, I inquired what the monument was for and they told me it was for an upcoming episode of Murdoch Mysteries.”
Edmund Cockshutt’s Gift
“The City of Brantford has been blessed to have received this wonderful facility for people to come to Glenhyrst to enjoy the grounds and the arts. The grounds are beautifully maintained by the city’s parks department.
“During summer, the flower beds are gorgeous, making Glenhyrst a superb location for wedding photos or to simply enjoy.
“The annual Christmas light display attracts thousands each season.
“I now walk a little slower than when Logan inspired me. Age does take its toll. But, as long as I am able, I will go to the park every day to meet my friends and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
“There is still a welcome sign located on the Glenhyrst sign near the house.”
References: Bob Livingstone; Merchant’s Exchange, Ignatius Cockshutt, 1812 – 1901 by Wm H, Cockshutt; Edmund Cockshut and Glenhyrst, from a Glenhyrst Information brochure; Schedule “B” to Bylaw No. 84-2000.
Local historian Ruth Lefler has been awarded the Lt.-Gov.’s Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement. She welcomes readers’ comments. Email her at [email protected].
