The Prairie House

The Prairie House was designed by architect F. R. Berry, and incorporates many features of the Prairie School architectural style, influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and others. The Prairie School style emphasized sweeping horizontal features, overhanging eaves, and a lack of ornamentation. This tradition shared common elements with the International Style being pioneered in Europe, and has also influenced contemporary architectural styles.

This home also has significant associative value as it is affiliated with the Hewetson family, namely Alfred Hewetson and his wife. Alfred Hewetson was a great visionary. He sought to integrate his social ideals into the operation of the Hewetson Shoe Company by turning the company into a cooperative where workers shared in the profits. Had it been achieved, this would have been a significant innovation in the business realm. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1928. His wife, Rosa, redirected her attention to helping artists and craftsmen suffering during the Great Depression. Together with her second husband Herbert Spencer Clark, she started the Guild of All Arts in 1932 and for the next 50 years they welcomed artists to their Scarborough Bluffs estate and collected Canadian and International contemporary art. The Guild hosted many famous guests and was used as a naval training base and military hospital during World War II. The estate was sold to the Province of Ontario and is currently maintained as a park. They also donated over 300 works from their art collection to the Ontario Heritage Foundation to ensure that their collection could be in the public domain for the enjoyment of future generations.