In 1932 Dr. Agnes Ann Curtin, a teacher, artist and physician, built a log house at 34 Riverdale Drive on one hectare of land. She had graduated as a physician from the University of Toronto in 1920, and her medical practice was concerned with the physical & psychological health of women.  She arranged for the Boy Scouts to plant 4000 trees in this area, mostly conifers, which still give the whole area a woodsy atmosphere.

One of Dr. Curtin’s patients was the widow of Group of Seven artist, Franklin Carmichael. In 1952, after Dr. Curtin retired, she formed an art group in her home and asked Mrs. Carmichael’s permission to name the group after her husband.  Mrs. Carmichael not only consented, but attended the group’s exhibitions and donated some of her late husband’s works as prizes. 
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In 1971, Dr. Curtin deeded her home to the Borough of Etobicoke with the proviso that it continue as an art centre after her death.  When Dr. Curtin died in 1977, her ashes were buried beneath a stone, with a plaque donated by the Borough of Etobicoke, under her favourite walnut tree, just to the left of the entry walkway.  Today, over 25 art classes are held in the centre each week and the house is listed on City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.