Frederic W. Cumberland 1820-1881

Pendarves - Cumberland House

There are two plaques at this home.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted January, 2011

In front of this house at 33 St. George Street just north of College Street, the Ontario Heritage Trust plaque tells us this:

Plaque coordinates: 43.659350 -79.396166

An outstanding Canadian architect, civil engineer and railway manager, Cumberland was born in England and practised there before immigrating to Toronto in 1847. He quickly gained recognition, designing such notable buildings as St. James Cathedral (1850-53) and University College (1856-59), Toronto. In 1860 he completed this house, Pendarvis, in which he lived for 21 years. As an engineer, Cumberland became increasingly involved in railway construction and management, and after 1858 achieved wide prominence as managing director of the Northern Railway. He carried his railway interests into politics and served as member for Algoma in the Ontario Legislature (1867-72) and the Dominion Parliament (1871-72). A man of varied interests, Cumberland was a founder and first commanding officer of the present-day Royal Regiment of Canada.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted January, 2011

The other, also an Ontario Heritage Trust plaque, tells us this:

Renowned Toronto architectural firm Cumberland & Storm designed this building as the family home of senior partner Frederic W. Cumberland. Completed in 1860 and named Pendarves, the original Italianate villa-style structure stood on spacious grounds with its main entrance facing east towards the new University of Toronto campus. In 1883, it was substantially redesigned by William Storm. After the 1912 closure of Government House on Simcoe Street, Toronto, the Ontario Government leased Pendarves as the temporary official residence and receiving rooms for the Lieutenant Governor. It was first occupied by Sir John Gibson until 1914 and then by Sir John Hendrie until the 1915 completion of Chorley Park, Toronto, the last and most opulent vice-regal residence. Acquired by the University of Toronto in 1923 and eventually renamed Cumberland House, this is a rare surviving example of Cumberland's residential work, and is significant for its use as the residence for the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Related Toronto plaques
St. James' Cathedral
University College
Chorley Park

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Public Service

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Posted February 12, 2011
I am editing a 1874 Journal of a well heeled young English gentleman who makes note that he made use of the 4 hours he had in Torono to call on Mrs Cumberland.(15th Dec 1874). "Mr C is in England on Railway business and has been away two or three months and is not expected back until January." I guess it was the wife of F.W.? Edward Wheeler's trip was from Montreal to Winnipeg (Fort Gary)mainly by steamer and small boat, and return by steamer to Fargo, then by rail to St Paul, Sioux City, Kansas, St Louis Pittsburgh, Toronto, Montreal.

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