A Taste of Warm Bread

Having some fun at Westfield. Join us on Sunday, June 14 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. Until then check out this new video...

Number 5 Company at Westfield - May 24



Number 5 Company, Crown Forces North America depicts British Army infantrymen from 1815.  Its members are drawn from War of 1812 re-enacting units across southern Ontario who will be travelling to Belgium in June to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.  They are here today to help prepare for their trip by performing authentic early 19th century military drill and musket firings.

This year is the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.  In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte returned from exile, marshalled his French forces and again threatened Europe.  The British and their Prussian allies together defeated the French on the rain soaked farm fields of Belgium near Brussels on the 18^th of June.

There probably weren’t many Canadians, if any, in the British forces at Waterloo in 1815, but in the 200^th anniversary re-enactment of the battle over 100 Canadian re-enactors will join the British Forces.  In preparation for the expedition, members of Number 5 Company of the Crown Forces North America will be training at Westfield Heritage Village in Hamilton near Rockton. The members of Number 5 Company come from Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton.  They have been training together as a unit at Fort York and Fort George since January. All 16 of the red coated soldiers in the Company portray infantry and are members of various British, War of 1812, re-enactment regiments.

At Westfield, on Sunday the 24^th, they will be practicing early 19^th century battle drill, manoeuvres, and tactics. The uniforms they wear and the weapons they use, are exactly the same as the British equipment of the period.  The re-enacted Battle of Waterloo will be fought on the same ground as the original battle and will be the largest Napoleonic era battle re-enactment ever held with over 5000 infantry, cavalry and artillery on the field.

Members of the public are welcome to visit Westfield Heritage Village on the 24^th and witness the soldiers of Number 5 Company practice.  There will be demonstrations of black powder musketry and members of the re-enactment group will be pleased to answer questions and discuss Napoleonic era battle tactics.

Westfield is a stunning collection of over 30 historical buildings which has made Westfield one of the most interesting historical destinations in Ontario. Carefully restored and staffed with costumed interpreters, the buildings capture the true charm and spirit of early Canadian culture.  Westfield is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road (formerly Regional Road 552), off Highway 8 in Rockton. For more information, call 519-621-8851 or e-mail: westfield@speedway.ca   Westfield is open Sundays and holidays from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. April to October. Special events run from March to December, hours may vary.

Mercoledi Strings Orchestra at Westfield

Conducted by Hamilton Philharmonic Cellist Marsha Moffitt, the Mercoledi Strings Orchestra performed at Westfield for a large and appreciative crowd on Victoria Day.  This was the orchestra's third performance at Westfield.

Friends of Westfield Plant Sale

 

Come out and Support the Friends of Westfield annual Plant Sale on

Saturday, May 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

 

 

The sale will include a wide assortment of plants, including perennials, shrubs, native plants and trees.  Rare trees will also be available.  There will be lots of great finds for your garden! 

Victoria Day Weekend

Westfield will be open Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. It's a regular Sunday for us, but on Monday there are few extra special activities.

 

 

On Victoria Day Monday visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about Victorian culture with a focus on fashions, foods, technology, etiquette and more.

The Mercoledi Strings Orchestra will be presenting a free concert in the Ironwood Hall at 2:00 pm.  This will be the orchestra’s third performance at Westfield.

Special guests on Monday will include Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who bear a striking resemblance to our volunteers Joy and Lloyd.  Please take a moment to admire their beautiful finery, produced with many hours of skilled labour in the Westfield Tailor Shop.

A Taste of Warm Bread

Plans are underway at Westfield for our Taste of  Warm Bread event on

Sunday, June 14, 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.

 

Practice makes perfect! Come see the process on the day and have a sample of the fresh bread.

 

Mother's Day at Westfield

Happy Mother's Day!

See you on Sunday, May 10 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. for  "Women's Work": Discover the evolving and diverse roles of women in early Ontario from the late 1700s through to the early 20th century. Enjoy a sweet treat at the General Store including old-fashioned sodas, homemade cookies and Westfield's famous tea biscuits with jam and butter.