The history of McHattie home dates back nearly 180 years and starts in Afton. In 1833, Scottish immigrants and brothers John and Alexandar McHattie moved to Canada and the U.S. respectively. In 1841, both brothers staked a claim on land in Afton. John lived in Afton for three years, while Alexandar went to Gray Cloud Island and eventually sold his claim in 1844.

Photos: Joe Kielbasa

In 1844, John settled in Woodbury, and Alexandar followed in 1845; they are considered Woodbury’s first settlers. The McHattie home began construction is 1845. One year later, John married his wife, Jane Middleton. The brothers lived together until 1848, when Alexander married his wife, Margaret Middleton. (The first child born in Woodbury was Sarah Middleton, daughter of John and Jane, who was also the first married couple to be celebrated in Woodbury.)

Part of the McHattie house was built in the 1850s, but the major portion was erected in 1910. Features include beveled and stained-glass windows, oakwood pocket doors as wide as 4 feet, a built-in oak buffet with leaded glass windows, and oak and maple floors throughout the house.

The 5.7-acre property contained the farmhouse and more than 11 farm buildings, including a bunkhouse, a multi-purpose farm building containing a chicken coop, a pigsty, a tack room, a corn crib, a barn and two milk houses. In 1891, the granary was built and signed by Robert McHattie, John’s son. Around 1910, the front of the farmhouse was removed (and an addition was added) and moved roughly 100 feet to the northwest to become a guest cottage. Woodbury’s first post office was housed on the property and was on the corner of Bailey Road and Woodbury Drive.

From left to right, Dora Lindeman and the McHattie’s: Aggie, Flossie, Ann, John and Jane McHattie

The home stayed in the McHattie family for three generations before being sold to Gordon Bailey Sr. in the 1960s. The home and farm buildings were then sold to Bailey Sr.’s daughter, Virginia and her husband, Ed Bartch, who lived on the property until 1974 when the Johnson family purchased it. Twenty years later, it was sold to the Kielbasas, who owned and operated McHattie’s Victorian Times Tea House out of it. At the time, the business included a 50-seat restaurant, catering and wedding services, and specialty cake creation. The farmland eventually developed into what’s now known as Wedgewood Park. Today, the McHattie home serves as the clubhouse and activities center of Prelude Village.

“The tea house is beautiful,” Rose says. “We are retaining not only history, but the integrity of what has been preserved and created.”