Gentry Manor History

Gentry Manor has a long and diverse history, and has been a cornerstone of Park Street for over 130 years.

The building began as the Chrysler Ward School and was built in 1876. The modest 6 room school was soon overpopulated and additions were added to become the Queen Street School.

Around the turn of the century when the school was obsolete, William Grey purchased the property and it become known as Grey & Sons repair. It was then used as a repair shop for the Grey buggies that were manufactured in Chatham.

William Grey soon began manufacturing the Grey-Dort automobiles and buggy production slowed. At this time the repair shop became the Grey-Dort Social Club, a place where employees enjoyed billiards and silent movies - one of the first in North America.

Soon after the Grey-Dort automobile had stopped production, the building was inhabited by the Y.M.C.A. It hosted basketball games as well as many dances.

The next incarnation of the building, and the longest so far, was the course of the Masonic Temple. The Masons sold the building in 1995 to Thomas Smith who resurrected it's former grandeur and it became Gentry Manor.

Gentry Manor has been providing a unique shopping destination for over 11 years and features a progressive hair salon, gifts, custom interior decor & accessories, as well as women's fashion and accessories.

Phone: (519) 352-9420 
Fax: (519) 352-3519 
info@gentrymanor.com