Hillary House National Historic Site (The Koffler Museum of Medicine)in-person Doors Open Aurora
- In-person
- Adaptive reuse
- Guided tours available
- Kid-friendly
- National Historic Site (Canada)
- Partial wheelchair access
- Self-guided tours available
- Washrooms
- Photography allowed
- Rental opportunities
Discover Hillary House — home of the Koffler Museum of Medicine and the Aurora Historical Society — and explore a fascinating blend of architecture, history and medicine. Built in 1862, this Gothic revival gem was home to four physicians whose careers spanned major medical advances. Explore original instruments, enjoy self-guided or facilitated tours, and experience the new exhibition Pills, Poison and Painkillers.
Hillary House – home of the Koffler Museum of Medicine and the Aurora Historical Society – is a treasured piece of Aurora’s history. It is recognized as one of Canada's best examples of Gothic revival architecture. The museum contains a significant collection of medical instruments, books, papers and furnishings. The Aurora Historical Society, founded in 1963, purchased the house in 1981. Hillary House was declared a National Historic Site in 1975. While Hillary House is now open again, with COVID-related visitor guidelines in place, you can explore many things about the property and its collections digitally (see the video below as a sample). In addition, there are several video recollections as part of the Let’s Talk: Oral History Aurora Project.
Architecture
Year built: 1862; additions in 1869 and 1888Building type:Historical landmarkHistorical houseMuseum
Architect: Henry Harris
Architectural style:Gothic revival
Dates/hours open
Sep 21, 10:00am - Sep 21, 04:00pmSunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.