The Houses of Refuge Act of 1890 was Ontario’s first step in dealing with the destitute. Many communities built and operated a House of Refuge. Cornwall’s House of Refuge was designed in 1911 by Arthur Le B. Weeks. The United Counties of SD&G bought a farm from William A. Craig and built the County House of Industry and Refuge on the property in 1913. It was a home for the poor and elderly who had no family to care for them. If they were able, residents were expected to do chores on the farm. Later named Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge the home was constantly under attack by the Department of Public Welfare, and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, for being overcrowded. The building was sold to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who ran it as St. Michael’s Academy—a school for girls. Eventually, a new Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge was built at the former Beachview Farm on Montreal Road. Today, the original House of Refuge building has been painted white. Named Versa-Care Centre, it was a nursing home at 201 Eleventh Street East. In 2010 as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations, Versa-Care was renamed “Heartwood.”