Joseph Brant Museum and Ireland House at Oakridge Farm are two of Burlington's most exciting learning environments. Both sites represent the history of Burlington in unique and exciting settings. The museums invite visitors to step back in time and enjoy a peek at life in early Burlington. Enthusiastic staff helps visitors to discover history and imagine life as it was over 200 years ago!
Ireland House at Oakridge Farm
Built between 1835-1837, Ireland House at Oakridge Farm located on Guelph Line was the home of Joseph Ireland, an English Immigrant and one of Burlington's earliest settlers. It had been passed down through four generations of the Ireland family before the City of Burlington purchased the property from the Estate of Marie Ireland Bush in 1987 and Ireland House became Burlington's second museum.
The historic farmstead, now resting on 4.5 acres of original farmland, with its buildings, yards, gardens, and contents is interpreted to three distinct time periods, 1850's, 1890's and 1920's, and represents the generations of Ireland family who lived in the house.
Visitors to Ireland House at Oakridge Farm enjoy tours of the house, exhibits, demonstrations, special events, and participatory activities in keeping with the character and history of the House and the Ireland family.
Joseph Brant Museum
Built between 1937-1938 as a replica of the original home of Captain Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, one of Burlington's earliest settlers and one of Canada's most colourful native heroes, the Joseph Brant Museum Joseph Brant Museum, located on North Shore Blvd is Burlington's community museum.
