The Barber Family, originally from North Ireland, arrived in Quebec in 1822 and eventually settled and worked in Dundas, Flamboro Township. William Barber, oldest of give children, moved to Georgetown, Ontario in 1837 where he built his first home (still standing).

The Barber Brothers, William, James, Joseph and Robert, were a major name in the 19th century manufacturing circles. They transformed Georgetown into an industrial centre. Starting out with a small woollen mill, they added an iron foundry, machine shop, and sawmill by 1850. About four years later, they built Georgetown’s first paper mill.

In 1843, the Barbers opened a second woollen mill in Streetsville. By 1854 they consolidated their woollen business in a new larger mill, site of the present McCarthy Milling Co. in Streetsville, closing the Georgetown bill and the smaller Streetsville mill.

In 1862 William Barber ordered the construction of his lovely brick residence at Babertown and Mississauga Roads. He, together with his new wife and family, lived here until his death in 1887.

Today the Barber Home still stands on its original site as the Old Barber House.