Historical Woodlawn still draws people together
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
The 50th anniversary of Woodlawn’s restoration in Otterville was commemorated on June 6 with a very successful community High Tea.
Organized by the Woodlawn committee, and supported by the South Norwich Historical Society, the first sitting was booked solid, and although the second sitting was not as busy, they were pleased with the turnout.
It was an opportunity to showcase the historical octagonal building, raise some funds, and get out the fine china.
“The building needs a little bit of freshening up after 50 years,” said Gail Lewis, noting as soon Woodlawn was operational as an adult community centre it was turned over to the Township of Norwich, and is managed by a Woodlawn committee of council.
“So the reason we’re doing this (High Tea) is to generate a little bit more money, other than rentals, and we don’t have to go to the municipality for everything… and we have a nice community event.”
In the early years, a seniors club met at Woodlawn. Today, it is a rental facility, popular for family events including anniversaries, birthdays, showers and small weddings, as well as corporate meetings.
“The historical society meetings are all here, too,” Lewis smiled.
The single-storey, octagonal house was originally constructed by Thomas Wright in Milldale in 1861. Located on Lot 7, Concession 8, in the former Township of South Norwich, it was built on the banks of Wright’s mill pond.
“Between Norwich and Otterville… it’s just a sign on the highway now,” Lewis noted. “It fell into severe disrepair after the Wrights, and in 1976 the committee had it moved here. It had to be cut into three sections to move.”
Woodlawn has hosted the Ontario Heritage Trust, responsible for protecting, preserving and promoting the province’s ‘built, natural and cultural heritage,’ and Lewis said they agreed the structure is an ‘architectural gem.’
Wright was influenced by an 1853 book by Dr. Orson Fowler from New York State, who praised the attributes of octagonal buildings.
“It’s more friendly because there are no long corridors, it just flows from room to room easily,” said Lewis. “It’s easier to heat from the centre. And it’s kind of a forerunner of solar, in that it benefits from the sun’s rays all throughout the day.”
The best thing about an octagonal building, she said, is that you gain about 20 per cent more floor space – compared to square or rectangular buildings – with the same amount of building materials.
Woodlawn’s floor plan was modified when it moved to Main Street West, Otterville. Originally, there was an everyday kitchen/eating area, four small bedrooms, and a formal parlour.
Today, it has two main rooms, plus the entry room and kitchen area.
“An increase in community events is vital to communities, especially small communities, to network together, to have a sense of place, instead of just being a bedroom community. These community buildings are what draw people together.”
Woodlawn also helps generate tourism, which benefits the municipality.
Geographically, South Norwich Historical Society encompasses Otterville, Springford, New Road, Hawtrey, Rock’s Mills, Rosanna, and more.
“We are a very busy historical society,” said Lewis, noting they lease the Otterville Mill from the township. “We also operate the Otterville Mill (Main Street West) and this historical society has taken that from a derelict building into the beautiful building you see today.
“We have a summer student, and it’s going to be open Saturdays until mid-August.” On the same property as Woodlawn is the Otterville Railway Station Museum, which was expanded four years ago.
“Our summer student is in the Station today,” Lewis noted. “We have an office, accessible washroom and kitchenette, so we can have a curator. Because without a curator, you are not really (an official) museum.”
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