Originally the home of Colonel Bickford, The Guildwood Inn was owned by our great uncle Msrg. John Fraser from September 1921 to October 1924. He renamed the property the St. Francis Xavier China Mission Seminary. During World War II it became an official naval base and was renamed, HMCS Bytown and, later still, was transformed into a military hospital and renamed Scarborough Hall. The property later became the Guild of all Arts and is the heart of the beautiful Guildwood Village area. Now owned by the City of Toronto, and its future the subject of considerable controversy, the stately building has been boarded up and left to rot.

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Rescued from the ravenous growth of the city, the spacious grounds of the Guild display the elegant facades of earlier buildings demolished in the name of progress.

In the summer the Guild was once host to the Scarborough Arts and Crafts show displaying the best the community has to offer. Strolling bands play and the vast lawns were filled with artists, performers and throngs of sightseers. It was one of the most enjoyable events of the season. However, the Scarborough Arts Council canceled the Arts and Crafts show in 2007 and its future is also now in doubt.

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