Description of Historic Place

This small one storey cottage is located, at 159 Bruton Street, on the south side of Bruton Street, just off of Victoria Street North, and west of Port Hope's downtown core. Covered in roughcast stucco, the William Skitch Cottage has a side yard driveway and a very small front yard. This is due to its shallow setback from the street.

The William Skitch Cottage is recognized for its heritage value by the Town of Port Hope By-law 21/89 Schedule B-3, passed on February 27, 1989.

Heritage Value

Built in circa 1861, the William Skitch Cottage is a good representation of the diminutive size of the Ontario cottage style, that was prevalent in Port Hope. It has a centre front gable, with three-bay facade, that is common to the style. French windows flank the main entranceway.

The cottage has historical value in its association with William Skitch, an English immigrant, who lived in this tiny home, with his wife, Anne, and their five children. William was a tailor, and had a shop in Port Hope's downtown commercial district, on Walton Street. His son, Henry, followed in his footsteps and took over the business when William died, in 1894. The Skitch tailoring business lasted for three generations in Port Hope. As well as inheriting their respective father's business, Henry and his son, Alfred, also inherited the family cottage. The cottage at 159 Bruton Street remained in the Skitch family until 1905. The next two families that occupied the house each owned it for over 40 years.

Source: Heritage Designation By-law 21/83 Schedule B-3, Municipality of Port Hope; Heritage Port Hope Files, Port Hope Town Hall, 56 Queen Street; Port Hope Archives, 17 Mill Street N., Port Hope.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that reflect the heritage value of the William Skitch Cottage include its:
- one storey Ontario Gothic cottage form, with three bay facade
- stucco-clad exterior walls
- hip roof with centre front gable and fanlight
- symmetrically placed French windows
- main entrance with transom