Phoebe Amelia Watson is born in Doon, the 4^th child of Ransford Watson and Susannah Moore.

After Queen Victoria signs the British North America Act, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec are united into the Dominion of Canada, and Sir John A. Macdonald becomes the country’s first prime minister.

Homer Watson receives his first set of oil paints and determines to become a professional painter. Lacking the means to receive formal training, he begins studying by copying pictures in books.

Homer visits Toronto for the first time and is encouraged to focus on landscape painting by Thomas Mower Martin.

Homer begins studying art in earnest in Toronto, studying the works of art on display at the Toronto Normal School and the Notman-Fraser photography studio, as he could not afford to take classes.

Homer exhibits with the Ontario Society of Artists for the first time.

Homer exhibits with the Ontario Society of Artists for the first time.

The Pioneer Mill is purchased by Canada’s governor general, the Marquis of Lorne, as a gift for Queen Victoria

Lorne purchases The Last Day of the Drought, also as a gift for Queen Victoria. Watson’s popularity soars.

Homer and Roxa officially purchase the house they were renting and become permanent residents there. Their son, Charles Watson, is born and dies shortly after.

The federal government establishes a reserve at Banff; it later becomes Banff National Park.

Homer attends the Toronto’s Industrial Exhibition, winning four prizes.

Algonquin Park is founded.

Phoebe is one of sixteen female Canadian artists selected to contribute art to the Canadian Historical Dinner Service. She submitted twelve hand painted soup bowls depicting Canadian scenes.

Homer attends the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y., and wins a gold medal.

Homer wins a bronze medal at the Canadian Exhibition at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition for his painting The Flood Gate.

Homer Watson becomes the first president of the Canadian Art Club, after leaving the Ontario Society of Artists, due to a lack in creativity in their exhibits. This would inspire the OSA to re-evaluate how they approach exhibitions. He would remain president of CAC until 1913.

Homer and Roxa adopt their daughter, Mary Watson (age 2 or 3).

Canada establishes the Dominion Parks Branch, which later becomes Parks Canada.

Homer becomes the vice-president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

The Canadian Art Club shuts down, and Watson is re-inducted into the Ontario Society of Artists, as they came to appreciate the changes he inspired in their organization when he initially left.

Homer is elected president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Homer travels to the Rocky Mountains for the first time.

Homer buys his first automobile, which enables him to carry his painting equipment on long trips.

The Stock Market Crash forces Homer to hand over many of his paintings to pay his debts, having lost his savings in the crash. He spends the remaining years of his life improving his craft and using his works as currency to keep himself afloat while his health and finances declined.

Homer suffers a heart attack which prevents him from painting for the better part of a year. He continued to experience several health issues, but carried on painting whenever he could.

Homer Watson dies in Doon at the age of eighty-one. He is awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Ontario. Phoebe Watson continues to live and work in the house, displaying Watson’s works in the gallery and acting as curator of his work.

Ross and Bess Hamilton purchase the Watson house, establishing it as the Doon School of Fine Arts. Notable teachers include Fred Varley of the Group of Seven.

The University of Waterloo and the Doon School of Fine Arts begin a collaboration, offering new programs like ballet at the Doon School.

Tom Cayley dies, and the Doon School of Fine Arts is closed. Ruthe Cayley and the local community campaign to have the building preserved as a place of arts education.

The Frieze in Homer’s studio, which depicted many of Homer’s inspirations, is restored after almost a decade of planning and work.