Mr. Edmund Lister Cockshutt was one of the sons of Ignatius Cockshutt. Although he served as a director and minor shareholder in the Cockshutt Plow Company, his involvement was much more limited than that of his father and brothers. Edmund’s interests were strongly rooted in the arts, travel, horticulture, and social philanthropy—a Cockshutt family tradition. In 1914, he purchased sixteen acres of land overlooking the Grand River in Brantford from the Stratford family. Edmund enjoyed sharing the beauty of his home and gardens with the public, welcoming visitors to view the gardens, attend outdoor plays, or see his private art collection. During his life, a sign on the main entrance read: “Visitors Welcome.” It was Mr. Cockshutt’s wish that the property be developed for the benefit of Brantford residents as a place for artistic and cultural pursuits.

The estate, known as Glenhyrst Gardens, was conveyed to the City of Brantford by indenture dated July 9, 1956. The grantors were C.G. Cockshutt, W.A. Cockshutt, S.W. Stedman, and J.M. Tutt. By-law 3816 of the City of Brantford established a commission to administer, operate, and manage Glenhyrst Gardens. The original members of the commission were Mrs. Florence Buchanan, Mrs. Norman Bell, W.A. Cockshutt, A.L. Binkley, P. Howell, W.H. Pierce, and Alderman Miss Mary Wood. The commission was formally empowered on February 18, 1957.

Operations are now governed by an indenture dated July 18, 1966, between the City of Brantford, the Glenhyrst Gardens Commission, and the Glenhyrst Arts Council, which provides the Arts Council with an annual lease for the use of the premises, furnishings, and art collections under their care and supervision. The Glenhyrst Arts Council, affiliated with the Canadian Arts Council, was entrusted to carry out Mr. Cockshutt’s vision of developing Glenhyrst for the benefit of all Brantford residents.

Since Edmund Cockshutt bequeathed his 15½-acre estate, Glenhyrst Gardens—also known as the Art Gallery of Brantford—has become a popular cultural hub for the city and surrounding community. Under the leadership of dedicated artists and administrators, the Gallery has operated numerous programs, funded primarily through membership fees, donations, and fundraising events.

Each month, a variety of exhibitions—ranging from painting and prints to photography and crafts—have been displayed in the Main House. The Glenhyrst Arts Council has also offered lectures, seminars, demonstrations, and craft sales. Through their dedication, Glenhyrst Gardens has grown into a recognized centre for arts and culture in Brantford.

In February 1984, following the creation of the Brantford Regional Arts Council, the Glenhyrst Arts Council became the Glenhyrst Arts Centre. On January 30, 1986, the Glenhyrst Arts Centre of Brantford Incorporated and the Art Gallery of Brant Incorporated amalgamated to form the Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant Incorporated.

Today, the Gallery presents contemporary art exhibitions year-round, complemented by classes, garden and arboretum tours, workshops, lectures, special events, art rental and sales, and a permanent collection of over 600 historical and contemporary works. The site also features an artist rental gallery, an outdoor sculpture garden, and The Golden Teapot and Gift Shop, which offers high tea sittings. Programming includes exhibition tours, workshops, school outreach, children’s and adult classes, a summer art camp, and artist lectures accompanying exhibitions and special events.

Glenhyrst also operates an educational and studio facility year-round in the old Coach House, hosts performing artists on the Coach House Stage, and runs an artist incubator program in the Gardener’s Cottage.