Peel House
Original Building
238 Richmond Street
London , Ontario
Circa 1850
London-born and internationally renowned artist, Paul Peel (1860-1892), lived in this home during his childhood. Originally located at 238 Richmond Street, the house was purchased by Paul’s parents, John and Amelia Peel, in 1865. John was an English immigrant who founded the London Marble and Granite Company, and was responsible for many finely carved headstones and monuments in the London area. In fact, many members of the family were skilled artists, including Paul’s sister Mildred, who was an accomplished painter and sculptor.
The Peel House was moved to the Village in 1963 to escape demolition and is recognized as a site of national historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Peel House is now interpreted as a turn-of-the-century home, showing a period of change that began at the time of Paul’s artistic prime and early death. The furnishings in the home are typical of an upper-middle-class dwelling.
Building restoration supported by The Corporation of the City of London and the Alex Thompson Family Fund, a fund within the London Community Foundation.
Peel House in its original location at 230 Richmond Street, London, prior to 1963. London and Middlesex Heritage Museum Archives, Courtesy of Western Archives
Posed photograph of Paul Peel.
One of the bedrooms upstairs in Peel House displays different types of toys and is interpreted as a young children's room.
The parlour at Peel house. The piano in the corner is nicknamed the "coffin piano" because of its appearance when closed.
The master bedroom upstairs at Peel House showcases a beautiful set of birds eye maple bedroom furniture. A cradle sits in the corner as there would often be a baby around when the Peels lived in this home.
Portrait of the Peel family, circa 1872. Paul poses with his parents and 7 other siblings in this picture. He stands at the extreme right. Western Archives, Western University
Wilfrid Jury and a student in front of Peel House, after its arrival at the Village. The building was in a very bad state and needed to be completely restored. It opened to the public in 1973 after renovations were completed. London and Middlesex Heritage Museum Archives
Peel House is the oldest house at the Village, but is now interpreted as a turn of the century home. The yellow clap board, two storey house has a covered porch with fancy gingerbread trim.
Pianos were a common feature of homes in the early 20th century. Music was a wonderful way to entertain yourself. This piano is nicknamed the "coffin piano" because of how it looks when closed. The artwork hung above it is print of Paul Peel's painting of Covent Garden Market in downtown London.