Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)
Forks of the Thames Interpretive Centre
City of, Ontario
Also known as Forks of the Thames Museum Centre, 1 Dundas Street

Of note is the centre gable with gingerbread detailing.
Photo: Martina Braunstein, 2007.
- Built
- 1880–1881
- Recognized
- 2000
- By
- Local government
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Forks of the Thames Interpretive Centre, is located at 1 Dundas Street, on the south side of Dundas Street, looking north to the Thames River, in the City of London. The one-storey, buff brick cottage was constructed from 1880 to 1881.
The property was designated, by the City of London, in 2000, for its historic or architectural value or interest, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law L.S.P. – 3320-207).
Heritage value
Located on the Forks of the Thames, the façade of the property has clear views of the Thames River, a Canadian Heritage River. The property remains as one of the historical elements near the historic forks of the Thames.
The bank of the Thames River was originally used for recreation. Later industrial uses were located along the banks and it was not until the 1850s that a considerable residential component began to develop in this area. This included the cottage at 1 Dundas Street, which survived the flood of 1937 and would later become The Forks of the Thames Interpretive Centre.
The cottage was constructed between 1880 and 1881 for use as a single family home. The buff brick house was built in the Cottage style of architecture with gothic influences and featured a high, parged foundation. The gothic influence is most evident on the façade where the gable exhibits gingerbread detailing. Maximizing the view of the Thames River, the façade displays large two over two windows with brick voussoirs and cement sills.
The interior of the home retains its original layout, with mitred corners on the original door and window trim. Also of note are the high baseboards in the front hall and parlour.
The building now functions as an interpretive centre and is known as The Forks of the Thames Interpretive Centre.
SourceCity of London By-law L.S.P. – 3320-207.
Character‑defining elements
Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Forks of the Thames Interpretive Centre include its:
- buff brick construction
- hip roof
- centre gable with circular opening with gingerbread detailing and pinnacle
- original chimney
- 2 over 2 windows with sashes, brick voussoirs and cement sills
- high parged brick foundation
- original layout
- original baseboards and door and window trim
- situation overlooking the Thames River
End of the register’s text
Location
1, Dundas Street, London, City of, Ontario, N6A, Canada
42.98181° N, 81.25586° W
Get directions (opens in a new tab)Being on the register doesn’t make a place open to visitors. Many are private homes or businesses; please view them from the street.
Loading map…
Nearby
All 77 places in City of
Middlesex County Court House National Historic Site of Canada100 m · London · 1827
Middlesex County Court House150 m · Ward 13 · 1827
Ridout Street Complex National Historic Site of Canada300 m · London · 1838
Labatt Memorial Park300 m · City of London · 1877
Eldon House300 m · City of London · 1834
Substation No. 4400 m · City of London · 1924
Similar places
Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.





