The Bradley Museum brings Mississauga’s earliest settler history to life across a peaceful two-acre site on the edge of Lake Ontario in the former village of Clarkson. The site is anchored by four heritage buildings, each telling a different chapter of the region’s past.
The Bradley House — a saltbox-style farmhouse built in 1830 by United Empire Loyalists Lewis and Elizabeth Bradley — is the site’s centrepiece and one of the oldest surviving structures in Mississauga. Painted marigold yellow with black trim, it was rescued from demolition in 1961 and opened to the public in 1967. The Anchorage, a Regency-style cottage from the 1820s, now serves as the visitor centre and houses changing exhibitions, a gift shop, and administrative offices. A restored mid-19th-century Port Credit log cabin and a reconstructed Ontario vernacular barn complete the complex.
The museum is currently undergoing scheduled heritage restoration on the Bradley House itself. During this period, historic house tours are available at the nearby Benares Historic House (see listing #12), while the rest of the Bradley Museum site remains open for drop-in activities. Admission is by donation.
The site is nestled within a 70-year-old maple grove just above the Lake Ontario shoreline — making it a particularly atmospheric visit in autumn when the leaves turn, or in spring when the grounds come back to life. School programs, seasonal events, and family activities are offered throughout the year.
Practical Visitor Info
Address:
1620 Orr Road, Mississauga, ON L5J 4S6
Phone:
(905) 822-1569
Website:
https://www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/museums/
Hours:
Open for drop-in activities (check mississauga.ca for current hours during Bradley House restoration). Bradley House tours currently at Benares — see listing #12.
Admission:
Admission by donation. Recommended $5–$10 per individual or $20 per family.
Getting There:
By car: 1620 Orr Road, Clarkson area of Mississauga (west Mississauga, near QEW and Clarkson Road). Free parking on-site.
Nearby:
Benares Historic House, Lake Ontario waterfront, Port Credit village (nearby)
Bradley House is currently under restoration — confirm which activities are available before visiting. Heritage house tours currently at Benares Historic House.
