www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 13, 2007 - 45 A lesson in history Continued from Page 44 stand immortalized in Oakville's Erchless Estate. It is a four-acre estate home and gardens set on the shores of Lake Ontario in Downtown Oakville. The Museum preserves and interprets the town's history through the heritage and home where William Chisholm himself raised a family. Erchless was home to six generations of the Chisholm family over a period of 130 years. Today, visitors to the Oakville Museum can take a guided tour of Erchless, the Chisholm Family Home, (c.1858), which is authentically restored to the elegance of its 1925 appearance. The Erchless Estate is not the only preserve from our town's history. The Custom House, built in 1856 by Robert Kerr Chisholm (1819-1899), holds museum exhibitions and a Pioneer Discovery Gallery for students to enjoy. Other heritage properties such as the Old Post Office and Thomas House are located in Downtown Oakville and stand to signify the birth of our town. The downtown core is not just a seasonal attraction, but a year-round spectacle. It is a productive, active, and central hub of Oakville life all 12 months of the year and no one knows this better then those lucky enough to live along its historic streets. Still standing are the homes dating back to the earliest settlers that make downtown the historic village that it is. Preserved in their glory, these homes tie us to our forbearers and remind us to conserve for the citizens of tomorrow. As Oakville continues to age, downtown will stay a main attraction for all those who visit. The harbours, museums, and historic streets are areas of emphasis within Oakville and reflect where we came from and where we are going. Barbour of England Small_PIONEER5_new.ai 11/21/2006 7:35:06 PM PLATFORM PIZZAZ! Canadian Sound is Oakville's exclusive dealer of Pioneer Elite products. Say hello to the leading edge of plasma technology. CHARLES AUSTIN ·SHOES· In beautiful Downtown Oakville! 232 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905-845-5582 Never has so much passion, style and technology been packed into a slimmer space. Don't take our word for it. Visit our showroom and let your eyes judge for themselves.