Summer Review

It's been a busy summer season at the Backus-Page House. Regular attendance has been growing and our bookings and special events have welcomed a host of new visitors to the site. Some of the groups that have availed themselves of the hospitality provided by the Tyrconnell Heritage Society include Merrymount, the Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre, the Ladies Presbyterial Retreat, the West Elgin Nature Club, the Elgin Historical Society and the local Master Gardeners Club.
The Society was lucky enough to play a part in 3 weddings this year. One was a lovely and intimate affair while the other two were note worthy for the size of the guest lists, the beauty of the brides and the originality of the festivities. There were bagpipes and kilts, champagne and German cakes and a fun time was had by all.
Canada Parks Weekend was marked by an Artisans Fair, guided trail tours and a Sunday lecture by UWO's Caroline Margaret Williams (after our famous pancake breakfast) entitled Ontario Swallowtails. Guests who attended the lecture were treated to light refreshments afterwards and took part in the interpretive house tour that wrapped up the weekend event.
The halls of the Backus-Page House and the trails of the surrounding John E. Pearce Provincial Park were filled with the shouts and laughter of children as the Society hosted not one but two weeks of camp this year. Our summer students (positions made possible through grants from the MNR, Ministry of Culture and Services Canada) were joined by student volunteers and presenters who worked to make this year's sessions of Pioneer Day Camp the best ever. Highlights of camp included quilting presentations, pioneer cooking, trail exploration and the brand new atlatl demonstration and competition. The atlatl program was introduced as there was a shortage of blacksmithing coal this year preventing that presentation from going forward. Despite its lack of Talbot Settlement connection the children enjoyed the experience immensely.
The year is, for the most part, book ended by our two major events. The season is kicked off in May with our combined Pioneer Education Program and our Relive the Talbot Settlement Day and then wraps up Thanksgiving Day weekend, a little over a month after the annual Heritage Farm Show. Both of these events combine to bring a host of guests to the Backus-Page House and the John E. Pearce Provincial Park allowing all to enjoy each event’s unique interpretation of the area's history.
September is here and the leaves are getting ready to put on their fall colours. Our schedule of events isn't over yet. October 4th the Tyrconnell Heritage Society will host an evening of dinner and music at the beautiful Lakeview Gardens. November 29 & 30th the Backus-Page House will open up its doors to welcome the Christmas Tour of Homes and December 6th the Tyrconnell Heritage Society will serve an 1850s dinner to the winners of our Christmas dinner raffle. Tickets are still available for both events.