The Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum stands at the heart of East Gwillimbury and shares the history of our local community as well as the Children of Peace, a unique group of individuals who had an important and lasting impact on the reform movement in Upper Canada during the 1830s and 1840s, including the Rebellion of 1837 and elections of Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine. In addition to the Sharon Temple, our site hosts a variety of heritage buildings and gardens. We continue to tell the important and fascinating story of the formation of and fight for responsible government in 19th century Canada and share the history of the site through programs, exhibits, and events.
Completed in 1832, Sharon Temple was a central meeting place for the Children of Peace, an Upper Canadian Quaker Sect who emphasized equality, symbolism of architecture and cultivated vocal and instrumental music. They created the first civilian band and commissioned the first organ in Ontario. The unique architecture of the temple makes acoustics and music sound as though they are coming from all corners of the building.
