The Warren brothers, William and John Borlase, immigrated to Whitby from Cork, Ireland, and married Jabez and Clarissa Lynde’s two eldest daughters, Clarissa and Louisa. They began operating the original Warren General Store in 1823 at Hamar’s Corners, Whitby Township. At that time, it was the only store between York (Toronto) and Port Hope. A year later, John Warren opened a Post Office in the store and became Whitby’s first Postmaster. 

Visit the Warren General Store ONLINE

The Whitby Historical Society operates today’s Warren General Store (named in honour of the original), providing a unique shopping experience for visitors, with a portion of the proceeds going toward our operating fund. The store is located in the red brick building beside the Museum, and features items from local artists, artisans and authors. Supporting the Warren General Store is a great way to shop local and to shop Canadian. The store also houses several Victorian-era showcases featuring exhibits from the Whitby Historical Society collection of artifacts.

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Gardens offer a significant glimpse into the past by reflecting the society in which they were created. Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden is no exception. With extensive research to ensure the authenticity of a typical kitchen garden of the early 1800s, Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden boasts seven plots, lovingly tended a team of volunteers. The gardens were created in 2017 with grants from Delta Bingo and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

They presently feature medicinal plants (eg. chamomile, calendula, yarrow), herbs (eg. savory, thyme, chives, mint and sage), vegetables including the Three Sisters (corn, squash and beans) and cucumber, cabbage, beets and onions, plants to make dyes for fabric, and flowers for decorative purposes. The site includes espalier pears and apples trees. Produce is harvested in the fall and used for educational purposes.

Clarissa Lynde’s Heritage Kitchen Garden ensures a legacy with which to teach people about the plants and their uses, history and meaning through interpretation, as well as supporting workshops and talks. It beautifies the Museum site, engages the community and enhances awareness. The Garden is located in the park just behind Lynde House.