Holiday traditions are different with every family – but St. Clair College Interior Design students are helping keep a Windsor winter tradition alive and well at Willistead Manor.
In partnership with the Friends of Willistead, Interior Design students participated in the annual holiday decorating of the dining room, north and east galleries, and primary bedroom at Willistead Manor in mid-November.
"Being given this opportunity to decorate for Christmas at such a historic place like Willistead Manor was an incredible and memorable experience," said Interior Design student, Lilly Bondy. "I really appreciate the mansion's rich history and beautiful architecture, especially as an interior design student, and it made the whole process feel so special to me."
Willistead Manor is a 36-room mansion that sits within a 15-acre park in Walkerville. Built in 1906 by renown Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Manor was briefly the home of Edward Chandler Walker (son of whisky magnate and Walkerville founder, Hiram Walker) and his wife, Mary, according to the City of Windsor. Today, this cultural gem is a perfect location for weddings, receptions, meetings and other special events, such as the Holiday Tour.
Bondy notes the students were able to provide their own personal touches to the historic home, which many others take great care in preserving.
"I felt so honoured to be a part of something very meaningful, bringing festive warmth and creativity into a place already full of character," Bondy said.
The relationship between St. Clair College and the Friends of Willistead has spanned over 20 years and is an opportunity for Interior Design students to work alongside a local interior designer or decorator to prepare the Manor for the holidays.
It's not only an honour for the students, but also an incredible experiential learning opportunity for them to study the history of Willistead Manor, network with design professionals and promote the relationship between St. Clair College and the City of Windsor.
"Students learn so much from getting out into the community, meeting people and networking with design professionals," said Tricia King, Coordinator of the Interior Design program. "These are invaluable experiences for the students, and we are grateful to Connie Pitman and the Friends of Willistead for continuing to include us in this holiday tradition."
Bondy said being invited back year-after-year brings great pressure to the students to uphold their reputation and the tradition – but is also rewarding in a good way.
"Knowing that the tradition of decorating Willistead is something Windsor families look forward to every year definitely adds a sense of responsibility," Bondy said. "You want to honour the history, keep the spirit of the event alive, and create something that feels just as magical as people expect."
"This pressure pushes you to be more thoughtful, creative, and intentional with every detail. In the end, it's incredibly rewarding to know that what you helped create will be part of someone's holiday memories when they visit," she said.
If you'd like to visit Willistead Manor's Holiday Tour, tickets are available here.
"Willistead holds a lot of historical and cultural significance in Windsor and partaking in its holiday transformation is a way of giving back to the community and keeping its heritage alive," Bondy said.
