Homer Watson History & Archives
Homer Watson House & Gallery maintains a collection with over 160 years of artistic history. It features a collection of artwork, artifacts, and archival material that represent various generations of artists that lived in the historic home. We will continue to add to this website as we uncover more stories, facts, and artifacts about Homer Watson, his sister Phoebe, and the Doon School of Fine Arts.
HWHG Permanent Collection.
HWHG Permanent Collection.
HWHG Permanent Collection.
Prominently highlighted are siblings Homer and Phoebe Watson. Internationally recognized, Homer Watson’s landscapes demonstrate a unique perspective on Canadian identity and deeply held love for nature. An accomplished china-painter and watercolourist, Phoebe Watson’s talents also extended into poetry, teaching, and business.
Also present in the collection is the history of the Doon School of Fine Arts. Opened by Ross and Bess Hamilton in 1948, the art school run out of the Watson House successfully provided arts education to both amateurs and professionals. A second iteration of the Doon School was restarted by the Cayley family in the 1970s, who later advocated for the preservation of the building.