Sunday Summer Afternoons

Westfield is a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Take a walk down a country lane and step into the past. During July and August there is a fashion show at 2:00 p.m. This past Sunday as a special treat Joy modeled the replica Queen Victoria Wedding Dress. Sweet treats and cold drinks are available to buy in the General Store. See you there on Sunday!

 

 

The Glass House at Westfield

Today's Guest Blogger is Alyson Prokop. Alyson started to volunteer at Westfield in 2013 and looks after the plants in the Gillen Greenhouse.

It has certainly been a busy spring for Westfield with so many new buildings being renovated and opened, and I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that the Gillen Glasshouse is finally up and running!

Most people have walked by the Gillen House with a brief glance into the backyard, only to notice a relatively untouched glasshouse. In times past this Victorian inspired glasshouse would otherwise be over flowing with annuals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, market flowers and orchids, all of which would be used for cooking, medicine and decorating. As a nature interpreter and botanist at Royal Botanical Gardens Canada, it only seemed natural to indulge in my love of heritage interpretation and take on the task of reviving the glasshouse and filling it with heritage plants.

 

 

 

So, after a few painstakingly cold days scrubbing with cold water back mid-April (I was going for an authentic experience) I fixed the glass panes, pulled up and swept away the bugs and dead weeds, and had the carpentry shop prepare transplant trays for the 30+ perennials and annuals that will be started this season.

The glasshouse is aptly named as it is made with panes of glass making it possible to grow essential, colourful, warmth loving fruit and vegetables, even in this climate, such as tomatoes and chillies!

Now when you venture into the Gillen backyard you are welcomed by horehound for coughs, wild strawberries for jam and native Echinacea.  Market cabbages from Denmark and tomatoes that date back to 1910, 1902 and 1898 are just some of the vegetables you may encounter.

 

I have tried to theme plants that pre-date the Gillen House (c. 1912) to give visitors an idea of the fruits, vegetables and herbs one could find in an Edwardian garden.

You’ll also notice that many of the herbs and native flowers will continue to grow and overwinter for next year’s gardens. With enough planning, I hope to get seeds started mid-March so we can offer unique heritage vegetables for the spring Westfield Plant Sale.

Brandon, who often volunteers in the print shop, has also been assisting with transplanting and watering on weekends and has certainly out done himself. His handiwork at the forge has revived a couple of tired secateurs to their former glory, and has also crafted a handy transplanting trowel!

A special thanks also goes to the Westfield staff who have taken time during their day to make sure the plants get watered. This is the most important task as we currently hand water all the crops and we all really appreciate your help!

So, next time you are visiting Westfield, be sure to stop by the Gillen Glasshouse and have a look for yourself and imagine yourself 100 years back; the vegetables and herbs we are growing today are the same as you’d find growing in gardens of rural Ontario in 1912.

Westfield's 50th Anniversary Continues

The weather could not have been finer for Westfield's big celebration weekend on June 14 and 15. Check out the 50th Anniversary page for more photographs highlighting the weekend.

 

Some of the volunteers gather for a group shot at the end of the day.

Spirit of the 1860s

Come and Discover the Spirit of the 1860s

At Westfield this Sunday

 

Westfield Heritage Village is very pleased to be presenting a new program on Sunday June 22, 2014 from 10:00 am. - 4:00 pm. The Spirit of the 1860s will be an opportunity to explore what life was like in Southern Ontario (Canada West), just prior to Confederation.  With an emphasis on foods, fashions, technology, etiquette, politics and pastimes, Westfield will be a feast for the senses, allowing visitors to discover what daily life was like at this pivotal point in our history. Fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, food samples, medical scenarios, political debate and live music are just some of the activities that will be featured on this special day.  Visitors of all ages can take a seat in the one room log school house to discover what education was like in the 1860s.  Children are also invited to take part in traditional children’s games in the school yard from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.  In the Gillen House yard, Mrs. Watson will be “at home,” providing a peek into the complex etiquette of visiting in this period.

An important part of the Upper Canadian story is what was happening south of the border, and Westfield has invited American Civil War re-enactors to demonstrate and describe the conflict.  Military and civilian encampments will be set up in close proximity to the village, and visitors will be able to “cross the border” to meet re-enactors and learn about the issues and circumstances of the American Civil War.  A battle demonstration is not planned, but visitors will be able to watch military drilling exercises, an officer’s meeting, artillery demonstrations and visit soldiers in their camp.

Westfield Heritage Village preserves and interprets more than thirty-five heritage buildings where you can meet authentically costumed interpreters demonstrating life in earlier times and places.  Visit the baker at the bake oven to see what’s cooking.  Find out what the printers, weavers or blacksmith’s are up to in their shops.  Say hello to the storekeeper and purchase an old-fashioned treat.  There’s always something new to see and do at Westfield!

The Spirit of the 1860s will take place on Sunday June 22 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, please visit westfieldheritage.ca or call (519) 621-8851.  Admission Prices - Adults $11.00, Seniors (65+) $10.00 and Children 6-12 years $6.50.  Children 5 and under are admitted free.   Parking is free. 

 

Birthday Cake and a Parade!

Westfield Celebrates its

50^th Anniversary on June 15th

Where can you run your hand along the wall of a 1793 log cabin, help operate a Victorian printing press, check out the sleeping quarters in an 1830 inn and admire the “modern” plumbing of an Edwardian home?  And that’s just a small sample of what you can experience?  Westfield Heritage Village, of course!

On Sunday June 15^th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Westfield will be celebrating its 50^th Birthday, and what a party it’s going to be!  Visitors on this day will be able to enjoy a deluxe program with free birthday cake and popcorn, a lively parade, carnival games, special guests and live music throughout the day.  Featured musicians include Love Banshee, The Ever-Lovin’ Jug Band, Tethera and the award winning Crusaders Drumline.  In the Ironwood Hall, there will be a special exhibition highlighting the history of Westfield.   Antique vehicles, steam engines and free steam traction engine rides will add to the fun.  On this day only, special anniversary tours will highlight the original seven buildings of Westfield’s 1964 opening day.  A special commemorative ceremony, costumed interpreters, food samples and lots of surprises will mark this incredible day.

Whether you are a long-time fan or have not yet discovered Westfield, you won’t want to miss this extra special, once-in-50-year event!  Westfield Heritage Village is a magical place for visitors of all ages, with something interesting to see and do around every corner.  The village’s more than thirty-five heritage buildings are staffed by authentically dressed interpreters who will take you back to earlier times and places.

Westfield is also planning a special reunion event on June 14 for past and present volunteers, donors and other community supporters.  If you have made a contribution to Westfield in the past, please call Westfield for more information.

The Westfield 50^th Anniversary Celebration will take place on Sunday, June 15 from 10:00 am. - 4:00 p.m.  Admission rates for this event are $11.00 for adults, $10.00 for Seniors and $6.50 for children 6-12 years.  5 years and under are free.  Parking is free.

Westfield is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, just off Hwy 8, midway between Hamilton and Cambridge.  For more information on the Anniversary Celebration, and other upcoming programs, please call (519) 621-8851 or visit westfieldheritage.ca.

 

Glenn Kilmer and Goldie MacDonell- Founders of Westfield.

Historical Interpreters in the early 1970s.

Before the Cabinetmaker Shop was moved.

Jerseyville Station in a new home.

 

Victoria Day May 19, 2014

Westfield Celebrates Victoria Day

 

 

Did you know that celebrating Queen Victoria's Birthday is distinctly Canadian since 1845?

 

Here are some snaps from our 2014 celebrations.

 

 

Queen Victoria played by Pauline comes to visit.

This dress made by Joy and Lloyd is a replica of Queen Victoria's wedding dress. 

Photos of Queen Victoria wearing her dress and head piece.

The Dress on display!



Westbrook House Opens

 

Raise a Glass of Lemonade!

Historic Westbrook House

Opens at Westfield

 

Come to Westfield on Sunday May 18^th and celebrate the grand opening of the village’s latest addition - the newly restored c. 1810 Westbrook House.  Believed to be one of the oldest surviving buildings from Brant County, this one-and-a-half storey timber-frame house was built by Haggai Westbrook, one of the first settlers in Burford Gore, a community that would later be known as the Township of Oakland.   The building has particular historical significance in that, in its original location, it would have overlooked the last land battle of the War of 1812: the November 1814 Battle of Malcolm’s Mills.  The home has now taken on a new life at Westfield Heritage Village, where it joins the site’s remarkable collection of nearly forty early Ontario buildings.

Skillfully restored by a talented crew of historic carpenters, architects, engineers and construction specialists, many of them volunteers, the historic home will now be a rich setting in which visitors can learn about life in Upper Canada.  Even with its modest 16’ x 24’ footprint, there will be much to explore.   Costumed interpreters will welcome visitors to discover the stories of not only the original family, but also the social context in which the home existed.  The building is one of the oldest at Westfield, and is situated within the scenic Early Settlement area. 

The Grand Opening of the Westbrook House will recognize the many contributions of those who have made its relocation and restoration possible.  The event will take place on Sunday May 18^th at 4:00 pm, after the other village buildings close.  Lemonade and sweets will be served, courtesy of the Friends of Westfield.

For further information, please contact Lisa Hunter, Program Coordinator, Westfield Heritage Village at (519) 621-8851.