Notice of Intention to Designate a Property of Cultural Heritage Value: Major John Button House

12 August 2026

The Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville intends to designate 5270 Main Street, in the community of Ringwood, under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, as being a property of cultural heritage value at the Council meeting held on December 2, 2026 at 1pm.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

Major John Button House

5270 Main Street, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Part of Lot 1, Concession 8, Township of Whitchurch, as in R245872, except Part 1 of Plan 65R-30501, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

Description of Historic Place

The property known municipally as 5270 Main Street is located on part of Lot 1, Concession 8, in the former Township of Whitchurch. The property is located on the north side of Main Street, approximately 75 m east of Highway 48. The property contains a two-storey buff brick dwelling in the Victorian architectural style, immediately adjacent to the sidewalk.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value

The property located at 5270 Main Street has cultural heritage value as the residence of Major John Button, an officer of the Governor General’s Body Guard, and his wife, Alberta Button (née Jones), the daughter of Norman Jones, an early settler of the Ringwood area.

The property has design or physical value as an example of the Victorian architectural style, as seen in its two-storey built form, “L”-shaped footprint, cross-gabled roof, two-storey bay, gable peak over the front porch, segmental-arched windows, dressed stone foundation, and buff brick veneer. The presence of a front porch is also a significant aspect of this architectural style.

The property has historical or associative value, as the original dwelling on the property was constructed for Major John R. Button, a long-time Ringwood resident and a major in command of the Governor General’s Body Guard Squadron “E.” He originally joined the militia in 1869. This cavalry regiment traces its roots to the first militia cavalry troop, Button’s Troop, founded in 1810 by Major John Button, the great-grandfather of Major John R. Button. The Governor General’s Body Guard and its predecessors served in a number of significant conflicts, including the War of 1812, the 1837 Upper Canada

Rebellion, the 1866 Fenian Raids, the 1886 North-West Rebellion, the Second Boer War of 1900, and numerous conflicts of the 20th century. Ernest Button, the son of Major John R. Button, served alongside his father. It was not uncommon to see the Governor General’s Body Guard in Ringwood under the command of Major Button. Major Button received a Long Service Medal from Queen Victoria for his service.

Following the sale of the property in 1910, William and Agnes Pipher moved in. They were well-known community members, with William Pipher providing threshing services to local farmers for 40 years. He was well known in the community and provided significant services to local farmers.

The property has contextual value due to its prominent location on Main Street in the community of Ringwood, supporting the character of this crossroads hamlet. The property is also a landmark in the area due to its adjacency to Main Street and the views from Main Street in the western gateway to the community of Stouffville.

Cultural Heritage Attributes

The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the design and physical value of the property at 5270 Main Street:

  • Victorian architectural style;
  • “L” Shaped footprint;
  • “L”-shaped footprint;
  • Dressed stone foundation of the south façade;
  • Cross gable roof;
  • Two-storey bay on the south façade;
  • Six window openings in bay;
  • Peaked gable and window opening on the eastern side of the south façade;
  • Segmental arches over the window openings identified above; and
  • Presence of a porch on the south façade.

The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the contextual value of the property at 5270 Main Street:

  • Adjacency to Main Street.
  • Views from Main Street of the south façade.

Written Notice of Objection

Any person may, within 30 days after the date of the publication of the Notice, serve written notice of their objections to the proposed designation, together with a statement for the objection and relevant facts to the Town Clerk.

Dated at Whitchurch-Stouffville, this 12th day of August, 2026.

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