Benares Historic House
Hours
| Thursday | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Friday | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Saturday | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Sunday | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
Admission by donation
Recommended: $5 to $10 per individual or $20 per family
About
Benares Historic House is a Georgian-style estate with more than 165 years of history. It features an interpretive gallery, rotating exhibitions and displays, and original family possessions spanning four generations.
A variety of themed tours are available, including Cedar Park & Cherry Hill: Mississauga’s Forgotten Black History and Family Stories of Benares.
Tours run on the hour between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.
Book a guided tour View events
History
Benares Historic House was built in 1857, although parts of the home and several outbuildings date back to 1837. The house was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1977.
Benares was home to four generations of the Harris and Sayers families. Today, more than 95% of the artifacts on display are original to the Harris family and the home. These include furniture, dishes, letters and pictures.
The house and most of its contents were donated by the great-grandchildren of Captain Harris (Geoffrey Harris Sayers, Dora Sayers Caro and Barbara Sayers Larson). It was restored to reflect daily life in the World War One era and opened to the public as a museum in 1995.
Why Benares
Varanasi, also known as Benares or Banaras, is a city in northern India on the banks of the Ganges River. It’s the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and also played an important role in the development of Buddhism.
The original owner and builder of Benares Historic House in 1835 was Edgar Neave. He named the property “Benares”. At the time, naming a property after a travel destination was common practice.
Gallery
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Harris family on the porch of the Benares Historic House, ca. 1930s. Harris family on the porch of the Benares Historic House, ca. 1930s. -
Harris family and friends on the porch of Benares Historic House, 1895 Harris family and friends on the porch of Benares Historic House, 1895 -
Back view of Benares Historic House with summer kitchen in winter 2011. Back view of Benares Historic House with summer kitchen in winter 2011. -
Opening day of Benares Historic House, June 25th 1995 Opening day of Benares Historic House, June 25th 1995 -
View of Benares Historic House, early 1900s. View of Benares Historic House, early 1900s. -
Arthur Harris on sled pulled by horse on Benares property, ca. 1920s Arthur Harris on sled pulled by horse on Benares property, ca. 1920s -
Benares Historic House, 2009 Benares Historic House, 2009 -
Benares Historic House, 2021 Benares Historic House, 2021
Plan your visit
As historic sites, some of our spaces do have physical barriers. The top floor and the basement of Benares Historic House have stair access only.
Admission is by donation to support exhibition and education experiences. Donations can be made on site using debit or credit. Recommended donations are $5 to $10 per individual or $20 per family.