This “Ontario Farmhouse” was built for Philip Badgerow, a laborer. Philip (1865-1936) was the great grandson of twin Justin (Henri) Bergereau from France. Henri served with the Marquis de La Fayette’s Escadrille assisting the Americans in their war against the British. In 1901, John Shirk owned this home for 41 years until it was left to the Mennonite Brethren in Christ  

Restoration work included opening up enclosed verandahs on the south and est sides of the house, removal of the angelstone wall treatment, and exposure of the Gothic arch of the window in the south-facing centre gable of the home’s original front. When the removal of stucco from the soft local brick of the building’s exterior was found to be not feasible, it was decided to re-stucco the heritage portion of the house. A 1970’s addition was reworked to better blend with the original building, and a new addition replaced the garage on the north side. All additions were clad in wood board and batten siding and the entire house was painted in a historical paint colour scheme that nicely finishes the project.

This building earned the 2005 Heritage Markham Award of Excellence in the Restoration and sympathetic additions to a Heritage House division.