While this site has participated in Doors Open Ontario in the past, it is not part of the current season’s program. Please check the Home page for this year’s events and participating sites.

Hillary House National Historic Site (The Koffler Museum of Medicine)Doors Open Aurora

  • Adaptive reuse
  • Guided tours available
  • Kid-friendly
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Partial wheelchair access
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Washrooms
  • Photography allowed
  • Rental opportunities
Hillary House National Historic Site (The Koffler Museum of Medicine)

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.

Contact info

15372 Yonge Street
Aurora, Ontario
E-mail: prose@aurora.ca
https://aurorahs.com

Architecture

Year built: 1862; additions in 1869 and 1888
Building type:Historical landmarkHistorical houseMuseum
Architect: Henry Harris
Architectural style:Gothic revival

Dates/hours open

Sep 21, 10:00am - Sep 21, 04:00pm

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.