Originally named “Stonedene”, The Manor was built in 1929

and is an example of a domestic estate building constructed in the Tudor Revival Style.

Stonedene was built for Harry Lynne Plummer

and his wife Joyce. In 1949, the Land Registry indicates that Victoria

T. Matthews, the wife of Major General Albert Bruce Matthews, owned

the property. Major General Matthews was educated at Upper Canada

College and the University of Geneva .

Matthews served with the

Canadian Military, 7 th Toronto regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery from

1928 – 1939 and was involved in the Second World War between

the years of 1939 – 1945. He served in several capacities, achieving

the rank of Major General in 1944.

 

The property was sold to the Ontario Mission of the Deaf in

1976 and the house was converted into administrative offices. The goal

was to build a Community Centre for the Deaf that Canada

has never before seen.

That goal was realized a few years later.

Today, The Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf boasts residential programs

for the elderly, a preschool program, a vocational training program

and an adult education curriculum, all to meet the needs of the deaf

and hard of hearing in North America .

Rev. Bob Rumball was

instrumental in the raising of funds to make the dream a reality. He called in

the efforts of friends like Conn Smythe, Whipper Watson and Harold Ballard, . Bob Rumball

himself was a professional football player and played for the Ottawa

Roughriders and the Toronto Argos

.

Since 1976, The Manor has served as administrative offices for

programs such as group homes, a summer camp and interpreting services.

In May of 1996, the Junior League of Toronto brought in top design firms in

the Toronto area and gave the house a much needed facelift. The Manor was

then showcased to the community as a fundraising event. Today, we are

offering this beautiful, elegant space to the community to be used for

weddings, parties and corporate functions.