Mansions and Motorcars: Time Travel to an Age of Grace and Elegance |
Image: Parkwood drawing room. Courtesy of Parkwood National Historic Site.
Image: Parkwood café table with fountains. Courtesy of Parkwood National Historic Site.
Image: Photograph of 1934 McLaughlin Buick. Courtesy of Canadian Automotive Museum.
Image: Photograph of 1914 Galt Gas Electric. Courtesy of Canadian Automotive Museum.
Image: Photograph of 1975 Bricklin SV-1. Courtesy of Canadian Automotive Museum. | Parkwood National Historic Site and Canadian Automotive Museum Oshawa, ON. Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:30AM - 3:00PM (plus travel time) Join the CSDA as we go back in time to an era of stately drawing rooms, manicured lawns, and liveried chauffeurs. Start with a private “Automobile Baron’s Tour” of Parkwood Estate, a National Historic Site that was once the home of R.S. McLaughlin, founder of the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, the precursor to General Motors Canada. Take in the spectacular vistas as you stroll through formal gardens and enjoy lunch in The Tea House restaurant. Round out your day with a guided tour of the Canadian Automotive Museum, whose collection ranges from the earliest motorized carriages to the futuristic Bricklin and includes vintage Rolls Royces, cars with fins, amusing novelty items, and, of course, a selection of McLaughlin Buicks manufactured by Colonel Sam himself. This is a day that you won’t want to miss. Registration will be open to members only, with a strict limit of one guest per member. DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Friday, June 13 CANCELLATIONS: Refunds cannot be given after June 13, but substitutions may be made with permission. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LUNCH: Seating has been reserved for us at the estate’s licenced outdoor restaurant, The Tea House, catered by one of Oshawa’s highly reviewed local cafés, Berry Hill. Participants will be able to order from a small but varied menu and will receive individual cheques. In case of rain, alternate arrangements will be made at a nearby indoor restaurant. TRANSPORTATION: Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Oshawa. Both properties are located a short drive from each other on Simcoe Street in central Oshawa, which is approximately an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto. PARKING: A limited number of free parking spots may be available inside the gates of Parkwood. Indoor paid parking is available in the south garage of Lakeridge Health Oshawa, just across the lane from the vehicle entrance to Parkwood. At the Canadian Automotive Museum, free parking is available in the adjoining outdoor lot or at metered spaces on the street. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the GO Train to the end of the Lakeshore East line at Oshawa. Then take a taxi from the train station to Parkwood Estate. ACCESSIBILITY: Please note that visiting Parkwood will involve considerable walking, at times on sandy footpaths, so comfortable, closed-toed shoes are advised. With prior notice, a ride on a motorized cart can be arranged for those who cannot walk long distances. We regret that, given the heritage nature of the building, the automobile museum requires the use of a stairway to access the portion of the collection that is displayed on the second floor. NOTE: Our apologies to members who cannot attend because the event is on a weekday. We were unable to schedule the tour on a weekend because the number of weddings and special events taking place at Parkwood would seriously impact access to certain rooms and gardens. FURTHER INFORMATION: Detailed directions will be sent out to those who register. For further information, please leave a message at administrator@csda-ccsd.org or (647) 249-6280. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: Not a member? You can join the CSDA by visiting https://csda-ccad.org/Membership |
