The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
Oshawa, Ont.
January 3, 2026
History
The Robert McLaughin Gallery was founded in 1967 after Oshawa designer, William Caldwell, organized an exhibition of work that was done by local artists at a commercial space located on Simcoe St. With major financial support from Ewart McLaughlin and his wife, Margaret, as well as works from their own private collections, a public art gallery for the City of Oshawa was established. The Gallery was incorporated with the name of Robert McLaughlin, the founder of the McLaughlin Carriage Company, Grandfather of Ewart, and Father of Col. R.S. McLaughlin.
Isabel McLaughin, daughter of R.S. McLaughlin and his wife, Adelaide, and first cousin of Ewart's was a long patron of the gallery. She also provided ongoing financial support and significant gifts of over 100 pieces of important Canadian and international works. Isabel became a founding member of the Canadian Group of Painters in 1933, and was President from 1937-1944.
Isabel McLaughin, daughter of R.S. McLaughlin and his wife, Adelaide, and first cousin of Ewart's was a long patron of the gallery. She also provided ongoing financial support and significant gifts of over 100 pieces of important Canadian and international works. Isabel became a founding member of the Canadian Group of Painters in 1933, and was President from 1937-1944.
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Ewart McLaughlin's wife, Margaret Alexandra Luke, was always interested in the arts, but did not begin any formal art training until 1928. In 1924 she graduated from the Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington D.C. as a nurse. Margaret would marry a man by the name of Marcus Everett Smith on April 15, 1925. Four months later, on August 27, 1925, Marcus died, with a listed cause of death as Myocardial Failure. Margaret was pregnant at the time with their son - who was born on February 13, 1926. Two years later she would marry Ewart, who then adopted Margaret's son to raise as his own. They would have one daughter together - Mary, born in 1930.
As a artist, Margaret would go by her given name, but dropped Margaret - Alexandra Luke. The original Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery was built in 1969. It's square, stone, modernist structure gave way for 6000 feet of exhibition space, offices and vault storage. In 1987, an expansion was commissioned to add another 36,000 square feet to meet the growing needs of the gallery and its community. |
Ewart McLaughlin
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Before the gallery was built, the area along the creek was occupied by residential homes. 67, 69, 73 and 77 Queen Street where the residential buildings that had occupied the land before the gallery was built.
Oshawa 1968. The houses on the bottom right of the image is where the RMG currently resides today. These buildings were demolished so the gallery could be built.
The Land
In 1795, Lot 11, Concession 1 of Whitby, appears to be owned by a woman named of Elizabeth Gray. Elizabeth was Robert dey Gray's mother. Robert dey Gray was a member of Parliament for 13 years and appointed Solicitor General of Upper Canada in 1797. The dey Gray's originally emigrated from the United States. Being of a wealthy background, this meant that they also had slaves. When they emigrated to Canada, they brought those slaves with them. One of these slaves was Dorinda Baker, who had two sons - Simon and John. Simon became Robert's personal servant and went everywhere with him.
In 1804, Robert and Simon were aboard the HMS Speedy when it sank off of Presqu'ile Point on Lake Ontario. Both Robert and Simon drowned, their bodies where never recovered. Robert never married. In his will that was dated March 19, 1803, Robert indicated that he freed Dorinda and left her with 1200 pounds. John was also given his freedom and 200 acres of land (Lot 17, Concession 2 Whitby). Simon was was given his freedom, Lot 11 Concesstion 1 Whitby, and some personal possessions (apparel and a silver watch). It is unclear who then inherited the land upon their deaths.
In 1804, Robert and Simon were aboard the HMS Speedy when it sank off of Presqu'ile Point on Lake Ontario. Both Robert and Simon drowned, their bodies where never recovered. Robert never married. In his will that was dated March 19, 1803, Robert indicated that he freed Dorinda and left her with 1200 pounds. John was also given his freedom and 200 acres of land (Lot 17, Concession 2 Whitby). Simon was was given his freedom, Lot 11 Concesstion 1 Whitby, and some personal possessions (apparel and a silver watch). It is unclear who then inherited the land upon their deaths.
Robert dey Gray
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Fast forward to 1828. The land is now owned by King's College. This is the first University in the province and is still operating today, under a new name - the University of Toronto.
On June 17, 1837, King's College sold the entire Lot 11 to Joseph Gorham. Joseph was the owner of Gorham's Woolen Mill, which was located in an area known as "The Hollow" - Now the Mill St. area. One month later he would sell 122 acres of the property to John McGrigor. In 1862 a series of quick claim deeds were filed between Royal McGrigor, Duncan McGrigor and John McGrigor. Then in October of 1863, Royal McGrigor sold 34 acres to David Spalding. |
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In 1873, a mortgage discharge between David and Mary Spalding and Charles D. and Mary Spalding was filed. Charles D. and Mary "Minnie" Spalding were the children of David and Mary.
On June 24, 1874 Charles D. Spalding's Plan 53 was filed. This split the property into Lot 1 and Lot 2. Lot 2 would later become known as 77 Queen St. Soon, Queen Street would become a residential area, with houses built on both sides of the road. |
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67 Queen St.
In 1911, a fire map of Oshawa indicated that this location had a one-storey rough cast wood farm building with a one-storey rear addition.
The first listed owner of the property is Henry Roughley, and he lived in the residence from 1921 to sometime before 1928. Henry also would own 77 Queen Street in 1881.
The next listed owner was Walter Way. Walter lived in the house from 1928 to 1930.
William Wright would be the next owner. He would occupy the house with his family from 1930 to 1933.
The first listed owner of the property is Henry Roughley, and he lived in the residence from 1921 to sometime before 1928. Henry also would own 77 Queen Street in 1881.
The next listed owner was Walter Way. Walter lived in the house from 1928 to 1930.
William Wright would be the next owner. He would occupy the house with his family from 1930 to 1933.
William Wright
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The Wright Family
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Gordon Magee would then own the residence from 1933 to 1940. During this time, there also appears to be tenants that live there.. Bruce Albert Hamilton, and his wife Mildred Ruth, would rent from 1935-1936. Francis "Roy" Johnston and his wife, Florence Dorothy, would be the next tenants in 1936. In 1940, Frank and Florence Welsh would move in.
In 1942, it looks as if the house has a new owner - Anthony Thomas McCarthy. They would also rent out the house, as John Pogson and Arthur Pogson are listed as tenants for the same year.
From 1945 to 1966, Norris Dawe and his wife Marie Maud rented the house. George Allan 'Al' Leavitt and his wife, Marie Blanche would rend the house from 1948. During this time the Fire map of Oshawa had the building listed as a "wood frame structure with ineligible writing storeys, with a one-storey rear addition and a small concrete outbuilding".
In 1950, Lloyd and Margaret Tindall rented the house. Joseph and Veronica Chaput would rent in 1953, followed by Frank and Olive Jackson in 1955. In 1957 Bromislaw Kaczmarski was the listed tenant. Roy and Beverley Blain would rent from 1958 to 1959. A Mrs. Olive Nicholls would rent the house in 1960. The last listed tenant was George and Audrey Vickery. They began their tenancy in 1961. On the 1966 Fire map, the building is listed as a one-storey wood frame with a one-story wood read addition, and a one-storey wood frame, metal clad outbuilding.
All of these buildings were demolished before 1969.
In 1942, it looks as if the house has a new owner - Anthony Thomas McCarthy. They would also rent out the house, as John Pogson and Arthur Pogson are listed as tenants for the same year.
From 1945 to 1966, Norris Dawe and his wife Marie Maud rented the house. George Allan 'Al' Leavitt and his wife, Marie Blanche would rend the house from 1948. During this time the Fire map of Oshawa had the building listed as a "wood frame structure with ineligible writing storeys, with a one-storey rear addition and a small concrete outbuilding".
In 1950, Lloyd and Margaret Tindall rented the house. Joseph and Veronica Chaput would rent in 1953, followed by Frank and Olive Jackson in 1955. In 1957 Bromislaw Kaczmarski was the listed tenant. Roy and Beverley Blain would rent from 1958 to 1959. A Mrs. Olive Nicholls would rent the house in 1960. The last listed tenant was George and Audrey Vickery. They began their tenancy in 1961. On the 1966 Fire map, the building is listed as a one-storey wood frame with a one-story wood read addition, and a one-storey wood frame, metal clad outbuilding.
All of these buildings were demolished before 1969.
Anthony McCarthy
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Norris Dawe
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69 Queen St.
This was known as Lot 1. In 1911, the Fire map of Oshawa lists a two-storey wood frame building on the north end of the lot. At this time, it is unknown if this was a residence or just an outbuilding (barn, shed, etc.) In 1923, the northwest half of Lot 1 was sold to Robert J. Parks. He may have been the one to build the house on the property.
Eugene Willson purchased the property in 1927, or earlier. He lived in the house, with his wife Winnifred and their five children until 1965.
In 1948 the Fire map listed the property as having a two-storey wood frame structure located on the same lot as 75 Queen St., and has a small wood frame building.
He then sold it to the City of Oshawa, who rented out the buildings to businesses. On the 196 Fire map, the property is described as having a two-storey wood structure labelled as the "Family Court", with a one-storey outbuilding labelled "69A Auto".
Eugene Willson purchased the property in 1927, or earlier. He lived in the house, with his wife Winnifred and their five children until 1965.
In 1948 the Fire map listed the property as having a two-storey wood frame structure located on the same lot as 75 Queen St., and has a small wood frame building.
He then sold it to the City of Oshawa, who rented out the buildings to businesses. On the 196 Fire map, the property is described as having a two-storey wood structure labelled as the "Family Court", with a one-storey outbuilding labelled "69A Auto".
73 Queen St.
Laura Jane Maracle, wife of Wilfred Powless.
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Listed as Lot 1 on Plan 53 from Charles D. Spalding, it was initially sold on April 15, 1873 to John Benz/Beny. On September 14, 1880 it was then purchased by William Roadwin. At some point James Trull came into ownership of the property. On June 7, 1912 he sold all of lot one to Frankie Robinson. One year late, Mary Robinson would purchase the southeast half of the lot from Frankie.
From 1936 to 1965, the lot changed owners four times. The first was Wilfred Powless and his wife, Laura Jane Maracle. They would live in the residence from 1921 to 1928. Thomas and Frances "Fanny" Robinson owned the home from 1928 to 1942. In 1941, Bruce Arthur Hamilton and his wife, Mildred Ruth, moved in. They had previously lived at 67 Queen St. in 1935. Mildred Ruth was Thomas and Fanny Robinson's daughter. Bruce and Mildred would live in the home for about a year. In 1944, the house was passed down to Gordon Herman "Buck" Robinson, one of Thomas and Fanny's sons. The 1948 Fire map describes the property as having a two-storey wood frame structure, located on the same lot as 69 Queen St. John and Annie Kowalchuk would purchase the property in 1950. Their son, Nicholas, would move in with them in 1958. Annie Kowalchuk sold the property to the City of Oshawa in 1965. The Fire map of 1966 describes the property as having a two-storey wood frame building with a one-storey wood frame outbuilding. |
77 Queen St.
Listed as Lot 2 of Plan 53 from Charles D. Spalding, it was initially sold on May 10, 1875 to a man by the name of George Brown. One year later, in 1876, Thomas Trigg would purchase the property. Trigg would sell it to Henry Roughley in 1881. Henry Roughley also lived at 67 Queen St from 1921 to 1928. Sometime between 1881 and 1900 the lot was sold to Frederick Francis. On March 26, 1900 Harry Lobb purchased the property. For the next 49 years Harry and his wife, Margaret "Maggie", would live there, raising there two children.
On March 22, 1949 the house was sold to Gordan and Jessie Robinson. The Robinson's had previously lived at 73 Queen Street from 1944 to 1948. The Fire map of 1948 described the property as having a two-storey brick building with a wood rear addition and a wood frame outbuilding. During the Robinson's ownership, they rented out a portion of their house. Arthur and Rose Badgerow were tenants in 1955. Paul and Maria Giacchino were tenants from 1957-1958.
On November 8, 1954, Gordon Robinson died in the house. Jessie Robinson would remarry a man by the name of Harry Allen, and by 1959 he was listed as the owner of 77 Queen St. On May 22, 1962 Robert and Jess Cano purchased the property. In March of 1964 the granted Lot 2 to the City of Oshawa. The City rented out the house to Lloyd and Marion Barry in 1964. In 1965 the tenants were listed as Noel and Muriel Middleton. The Middleton's would be the last residents of the home before it was demolished to make way for the gallery.
On March 22, 1949 the house was sold to Gordan and Jessie Robinson. The Robinson's had previously lived at 73 Queen Street from 1944 to 1948. The Fire map of 1948 described the property as having a two-storey brick building with a wood rear addition and a wood frame outbuilding. During the Robinson's ownership, they rented out a portion of their house. Arthur and Rose Badgerow were tenants in 1955. Paul and Maria Giacchino were tenants from 1957-1958.
On November 8, 1954, Gordon Robinson died in the house. Jessie Robinson would remarry a man by the name of Harry Allen, and by 1959 he was listed as the owner of 77 Queen St. On May 22, 1962 Robert and Jess Cano purchased the property. In March of 1964 the granted Lot 2 to the City of Oshawa. The City rented out the house to Lloyd and Marion Barry in 1964. In 1965 the tenants were listed as Noel and Muriel Middleton. The Middleton's would be the last residents of the home before it was demolished to make way for the gallery.
EXPERIENCES COMING SOON!