14

It was soon decided by the Society to open this home to the public as a museum. They hired restoration architect Peter Stokes to make plans to bring the house back to its original condition in the days of its first owners, the Hutchisons. In 1975 a fundraising campaign launched with the slogan "Built by the Citizens, Restored by the Citizens" met with a generous response, including, as in its building, donations of materials and labour.

During the restoration process various papers were found that had been shoved into the back of the knee wall cupboards under the eaves. These papers included records of the Newcastle District court dating from 1827-28 when Dr. Hutchison was one of its officers, fragments of medical texts and more. An assortment of shoes, slippers, gloves and what may have been the family ragbag with scraps of materials and bits of clothing- a child's bodice, a man's shirt and two lady's caps- were used as templates for docent costumes.

The Peterborough Historical Society Hutchison House Museum was opened to the public May 24, 1978, by the Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon.

15

First Board Members of the Hutchison House Management Committee
20th Century, Circa 1970
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontatrio, Canada

16

Shoes hanging in the rafters found during the restoration
20th Century, Circa 1975
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

17

Unveiling the Hearth fireplace and excavating the basement floor
20th Century, Circa 1975
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

18

Top found in restoration of Hutchison House
19th Century, Circa 1840
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

19

Restoration of the East Bedroom at Hutchison House Museum
20th Century, Circa 1975
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

20

Edwardian staircase present at the beginning of the restoration process
20th Century,Circa 1910
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

21

Shades of four different staircases that were present in the life of the house.
20th Century, Circa 1975
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

22

Invitation to the Opening of Hutchison House Museum
24 May 1978
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

23

Hutchison House Museum
21st Century, Circa 2001
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

24

Unveiling of the Hutchison House Historic Plaque
20th Century, Circ a 1978
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

25

Historic Plaque in honour of Hutchison House Museum
19th Century, Circa 1978
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

26

The crowd waiting admintance to the Opening Day celebration at Hutchison House Museum
24 May 1978
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

27

View from the museum of the crowd waiting to explore Hutchison House on Opening Day
24 May 1978
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum,Peterborough, Ontario, Canada