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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 22, 2014 | 14 continued from p.6 The property sat empty and boarded up for a number of years before being opened to the public as a museum in 1996. The museum is owned by the Town of Oakville, but maintained and operated by volunteers from the Bronte Historical Society. Strong noted the land the house now rests on also has an interesting past with the Bronte Bluffs previously serving as a summer vacation spot for Toronto and Hamilton residents. "Some of the families who had permanent homes in this area would rent out their homes to these summer vacationers," said Strong. "It was a way for them to generate extra income." Strong said the area still has a beautiful waterfront, beach and trails that relatively few people Sovereign House guards well-kept history are aware of. While there have been many residents of Sovereign House over the years, one of the more interesting characters was Mazo de la Roche who called the residence home from 1910-15. De la Roche was a romance writer who wrote about what it would have been like for an aristocrat living in an agricultural-based village like Bronte. The books sold well with Strong comparing them to early versions of Harlequin. One series of books written by de la Roche, known as the Whiteoak Chronicles, was ultimately made into a 1972 television series on CBC. "There still is a very active fan club for her," said Strong, who noted the bed de la Roche slept in is among the exhibits at Sovereign House. Those who look after the museum display no small amount of commitment. Coutts spent four years building a model of a Lithophone, a type of ship, which would have been built in Bronte in the late 19th century to harvest Dundas Shale from the surrounding waters. The model is now on display at the museum. Bronte Historical Society Archivist Donalda Fordham said she volunteers her time because she is interested in the area's history. "I came to this area in 1958 to teach... I learned a lot about the community from working with the children and their families," she said. "Being a teacher and partially a librarian, I was interested in the background, the history. I have been with his society since the mid-90s." Sovereign House is now open to visitors. Those interested, can visit on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free, however, donations are appreciated. Sovereign House features rotating art exhibits during its open season with Strong noting the Bronte Historical Society earns revenue for the upkeep of the museum by renting out the portions of the facility and grounds. For more information, call 905-825-5552, email brontehistoricalsociety@bellnet.ca or visit the historical society's website at www. brontehistoricalsociety.ca. Halton.ca 311 Sovereign House, built in 1846 by Charles Sovereign, sits atop Bronte Bluffs, where it was moved in 1988. | photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) 2014 Rain Barrel Date Saturday, May 24, 2014 9:00 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014 9:00 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014 9:00 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014 9:00 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m. (tax included) $39.95 PUBLIC AUCTION HARDWOOD & ENGINEERED FLOORING starts Monday May 19th and concludes Sunday May 25th at 8pm preview and viewing at 3620B Laird Road, unit #6 Friday May 23 from noon - 4:30 pm Truckload Sales Events Part of Halton's water efficiency program Location Halton Regional Centre, (enter off North Service Road) 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville Robert C. 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