Bowmanville's Best Kept Secret.

Rathskamory was originally a ten acre property bounded by Concession Street West, Lowe Street, Centre Street and Horsey Street.  It was built in 1843 for Dr. George Humphrey Low, an Irish immigrant who was both wealthy and well educated.  The property contained two gatehouses, one at Concession Street West and one at Lowe Street.  The circular entrance ran through the grounds which were landscaped with gardens, woods and gazebos.  Dr. Low and his wife, Helena Maria Welsh, enjoyed the property hosting many social events.  Dr. Low died in 1865 and Helena remained in their home until her death in 1873.  James Wellington McLaughlin purchased the property and subdivided the estate.  He retained four acres with the house and willed it to his children, Arthur and Mary, after his death in 1903.  Mary, Mrs. Edmund S. Senkler, retained ownership of the home until she passed away in 1937. 

During World War II the Boy’s Training School on Concession Street East (Camp 30) was converted to a German Prisoner of War Camp and some of the boys were accommodated at Rathskamory.  The Bowmanville Lions Club acquired the property at some point after 1945.  It remained in the Lions Club ownership until 1997 when it was purchased by the Municipality of Clarington.  The building was home to the Clarington Older Adult Association, Clarington (COAA), Community Care, and the Lions Club Day Care, and the grounds contain a tennis court managed by the Bowmanville Tennis Club. The building is now the home of the Bowmanville Older Adults Association (formerly the COAA).

Rathskamory was built as a Regency Villa.  It is a two storey building and at one point had floor to ceiling windows which were common to the Regency style.  Regency Villas were geographically located to enjoy an advantageous view and its landscape elements and accessory buildings were as significant to the development of the property as the house itself.  This building has been dramatically altered since 1945 but it still retains its position of prominence on the street.  

The building still retains a lot of it's antique charm including the grand stair case in the center of the building. 

April 2006  Page 15 of 56 The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington