The 4.2 acres property was part of Mary's family's property in the township of Adjala-Tosorontio.

Built by Anthony and Mary Ketchum from 1996 to 1998, this sustainable home structure does not rely on outside resources nor does it include the normal conveniences of standard homes.

“I’ve always had a very strong bent towards preserving the planet,” says Anthony (MEd 1974, DEd 1979), crediting his rural upbringing outside Port Hope, Ont., for his commitment to environmental issues. 

When the Ketchums decided to build a country getaway on four acres of land in the Hockley Valley, the hilly terrain seemed to present a serious obstacle, says Anthony, a retired English teacher who supervised construction of the project. Then he and Mary (BSW 1961) met Greg Allen (BASc 1970), an engineer who specializes in sustainable design. Allen looked at a particularly steep slope and saw an opportunity to use the hillside for warmth and shelter in the winter and cooling in the summer. The colder sides of the house – the north and east – are built into the hill for insulation, with two storeys below ground level. 

During the early planning stages of Ketchum House, Anthony seriously questioned his idea to build an Eco house in the Hockley Hills.

He mentioned that one day, while walking up to the building site, he felt a hand gently rest upon his shoulder yet no one was there. After that experience, he never had a second doubt.

Since 1998 The Ketchum's welcomed over 1,400 visitors to the property on each and every Earth Day for Eco tours.