Victorian Star Party

Looking Forward to the

Victorian Star Party Tonight!

Come take your picture with the paper moon! The stars are out tonight (Friday, April 24)

 

Star Party

Westfield Star Party

Celebrates the Night Sky

Westfield Heritage Village is having a Star Party and you won’t want to miss it!  Presented in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society and McMaster University, this will be a unique opportunity to learn about the wonders of the night sky through a fun and interactive evening of exploration and discovery.  Mark your calendar for Friday April 24.

The special Star Party program will feature many historical and modern astronomy activities.  At the Mountsberg Church, you can enjoy a fascinating lecture inspired by the Victorian astronomer Sir Robert Stawell Ball.  A talented storyteller will also present several delightful, traditional tales of the sun, moon and stars.  At the Gillen House, an authentic Edwardian home, you can peek in on the Star Party Social, an astronomically-themed party featuring music, dancing and decorations of the early 1900s.  (Think Downton Abbey.)  The Westfield Theatre will be showing A Trip to the Moon, the unique 1902 film by French filmmaker Georges Méliès.  The General Store will have delicious sweets treats available, including homemade star cookies.  At the Cathcart one room log schoolhouse, take a seat and make a charming take-home craft.  You won’t want to miss a delightful shadow play at the D’Aubigny Inn exploring the mythical origins of some important and familiar constellations.

Yummy Star Cookies at the Eddie D. Cat Confectionery!

 

Once the sun sets, stargazing will be a highlight of this evening, and visitors will have opportunities to peer through both antique and modern telescopes.  Under the guidance of a member of the Royal Astronomical society, you will be able to look deep into the sky through the rare 1884 Bell refracting telescope.  Astronomers using modern telescopes will also be stationed in the Village Green, where they will introduce visitors to modern-day astronomy techniques.  Old or new, the view through these telescopes is sure to take your breath away.  

Westfield is very pleased to welcome the Let’s Talk Science and Sidewalk Astronomy groups from McMaster University, who will present special astronomy activities and demonstrations throughout the evening.  Knowledgeable and friendly members will share their expertise and invite young visitors to participate in a variety of fascinating, kid-friendly activities.

Westfield Heritage Village is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road, off Highway 8, midway between Hamilton and Cambridge.  The Star Party will take place between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm. on Friday April 24.  Outdoor activities and viewing will be weather permitting.  Only select historical buildings will be open for this program.  Regular admission rates apply.  Adults $8.50, Seniors $7.50, Children $5.50.  Five and under are free.  Parking is free.  For more information, please visit westfieldheritage.ca or call 519-621-8851.

Good Friday and Easter Sunday at Westfield

Eggstravaganza!

“Special Programs this Easter Weekend at Westfield.  Bring your family to Westfield Heritage Village on Good Friday and Easter Sunday for some good old-fashioned fun.  This will be your final chance to enjoy the popular Sweet Taste of Spring maple syrup program, which will take place on both Friday April 3 and Sunday April 5.  Enjoy maple syrup making demonstrations, free horse and wagon rides and a reasonably-priced all-day pancake breakfast prepared by the St. George Lions Club.  On both days, you can also enjoy special Easter-themed activities and demonstrations.”



Photo By: Lisa Hunter

Tailor Shop at Westfield

Sew Interesting!

Did you know that the Tailor shop is home to a collection of sewing machines including two Canadian made machines?

On display is the Charles Raymond No. 1 treadle sewing machine circa. 1871 that was originally built in Guelph, Ontario. Charles Raymond  was one of the most respected citizens in Guelph at the time and owned the largest company in the city during the height of his day.

 

Also on display is a circa. 1867-1869 Wanzer sewing machine originally built in Hamilton, Ontario. Richard Mott Wanzer moved to Hamilton around 1859 and started a factory of his own producing the first Canadian manufactured sewing machine.  He eventually employed about every one in 30 residents in the city of Hamilton.

 

So on your next visit to Westfield Heritage Village be sure to stop by the Tailor shop and visit with the Tailor and Tailoress to find out more about these and other sewing machines on display as well as the many different sewing projects that are being worked on throughout the year.  

See you there!

Maple Syrup Festival in Full Swing!

Pancakes and Wagon Rides!

Enjoy March Break at Westfield

 

Are you looking for something fun to do with your whole family?  Hurry to Westfield Heritage Village for their annual Sweet Taste of Spring maple syrup event for a great day in the country.  The magic combination of cold nights and warmer days is the perfect recipe for making maple syrup, but this season lasts for just a short time before it’s over again for another year.  So plan a trip to the sugar bush, enjoy a free horse and wagon ride and take in a reasonably-priced pancake breakfast before that sap stops running.

Westfield’s gorgeous rural setting is a fun place to learn all about how maple syrup was made in early Canada.  In the village’s Early Settlement area, visitors can learn how maple syrup was produced by Canada’s First Nations communities, and what early European immigrants learned from them.  At the D’Aubigny Inn, discover  how early 19^th century pioneers used a series of iron cauldrons to produce large quantities of delicious syrup and sugar.  A picturesque walk into the sugar bush leads to the modern sugar shack, where you can taste some of Westfield’s very own maple syrup, produced in a modern evaporator.   Westfield will be open for the maple syrup program from 10 – 4:00 pm on Wednesday March 18^th and Thursday March 19^th.  The event will also run on Sundays, March 15, 22 and 29.  The final program days will be Good Friday, April 3 and Easter Sunday, April 5^th. 

For the eleventh year in a row, the St. George Lions Club will be selling delicious pancakes, with either ham or sausage, and of course, syrup, throughout the day.  A variety of maple products will be available at the Gift Shop.  The General Store will be offering old-fashioned candy, hot cider and other treats for purchase.  Free horse-drawn wagon rides will take you on a tour around the village. 

Westfield is a perfect place for families, with so much to see and do.  The village’s more than thirty-five heritage buildings are staffed by authentically costumed interpreters, who will take you back to earlier times and places.  During the maple syrup program, many of the historic homes will be filled with the lovely aromas of foods being prepared with maple syrup.  You can also visit the train station, one room school house, blacksmith shop, tailor shop and much more.

 

Maple Syrup Festival

A Sure Sign of Spring-

Maple Fun at Westfield Heritage Village

 

It’s the time of year that we’ve all been waiting for - maple syrup season!  And where is the best place to learn all about one of Canada’s sweetest and oldest culinary traditions?  Westfield Heritage Village, of course!  The maple syrup experts there have been getting ready for another great maple syrup harvest, and you won’t want to miss the chance to experience this short but sweet springtime tradition. 

In the village’s Early Settlement area, you will learn how maple syrup was produced by families in Canada’s First Nations communities for generations, and what early European immigrants learned from them.  At the D’Aubigny Inn, discover how early 19^th century pioneers used a series of iron cauldrons to produce large quantities of delicious syrup and sugar.  A short walk into the sugar bush will lead you to the modern sugar shack, where you can taste some of Westfield’s very own maple syrup.  

Those looking for a tasty treat will enjoy visiting the Ironwood Hall, where the St. George Lions Club will be selling reasonably-priced pancakes, with either ham or sausage, throughout the day.  Visit the Gift Shop for a wide selection of maple products, including syrup, fudge, teas and candies.  At the General Store you can purchase baked goods and other sweet treats.  Free horse-drawn wagon rides will be available throughout the day.

Tours and demonstrations run from 10 am. to 4 pm., Sundays March 8, 15, 22 & 29 as well as Wednesday & Thursday March 18 and 19^th.  The programme will also run on Good Friday, April 3 and Easter Sunday April 5.

Westfield’s Maple Syrup Festival is a fun way for families to get out together to enjoy a day in the country while learning about our past.  Admission is $11.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors 65+ and $6.50 for children ages 6-12.  Children 5 and under are free.  For more information regarding this event and future Westfield programs, call 519-621-8851 or visit westfieldheritage.ca.

 

 

Congratulations!

 

Congratulations goes out to Bob and Ellen! They recently each received a City of Hamilton Heritage Award in recognition of their many volunteer hours contributed to Westfield Heritage Village. If you are interested in getting involved at Westfield please call 519-621-8851 for more information.