The original Cornell House was built in 1858 and was occupied by Charles Cornell, his wife, Matilda, and their eight children. Ancestors of Charles Cornell continued to live in the Cornell House until 1961 when the family sold it. The house was moved from it original location at Markham Road and Ellesmere Road to the current location within the David and Mary Thomson Park. The Cornell House is now one of the many parts of the Scarborough Museum in which visitors are allowed inside the house to get a better understanding of the history of the Cornell family.

The Cornell family is of great significance as Charles' father, William Cornell was one of the people to construct what we now know as Kingston Road. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the area, Kingston Road runs from the Beaches neighbourhood in Toronto all the way to Whitby, in Durham region. The plaque located at the front entrance of the Cornell House talks about Rhoda Skinner who was a pioneer in Scarborough who was both a step-mother and mother to 37 children. The plaque is dedicated to all of her hard work in both motherhood and helping out in all areas of the house and on the farm. If you get the opportunity to go inside the Cornell House I would strongly suggest it, as you will get a better idea and context of how a family would live during that time period.

The Cornell House is now a part of the Scarborough Museum that is owned by the city of Toronto.

Arriving at the Cornell House is very simple as there is a parking lot just a few minutes walk away. Although if you are interested in going inside to the house there is a step which may make it difficult for those in wheelchairs or motorized scooters. It is important to note that for entry this is a pay what you can museum.

Cornell House. Retrieved from http://scarboroughhistorical.ca/local-history/scar...

Scarborough Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://scenesto.com/tag/scarborough-museum/