Trivia Question CLOSED

Want to win a family admission pass to our Annual Heritage Farm Show? This is the last trivia question we will be posting. Answer correctly on our Facebook page and you could win a free one day Family Admission (2 Adults and 2 Children) for our 2012 Heritage Farm Show on September 15th - 16th. 

What do you think this tool was used for? Leave your answer on our facebook page for your chance to win!*

Click here to enter!

*Comments here will not be eligible for the contest

Relive the Talbot Settlement

Please join us for our annual Relive the Talbot Settlement event. Our media release is attached. We look forward to seeing you here for our celebration.

Get Stuffed-An Exhibit

Get Stuffed~ A Whimsical Look at the Victorian Anthropomorphic Taxidermy Tradition

Backus-Page House Museum

Opening May 5th, 2012

The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations of 1851 was an international exhibition that took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was held in the Crystal Palace, a massive glass house, 1851 feet long by 454 feet wide that was constructed from cast iron-frame components and glass. Over a dozen taxidermists exhibited at the Crystal Palace exhibition in 1851, many with complex anthropomorphic displays. Anthropomorphic taxidermy is the practice of taking the dead body of an animal, preserved through the art of taxidermy, and displaying it in such a way as to endow it with human characteristics. In these plain terms this might sound distasteful to a contemporary audience but citizens of the day found the actual effect anything but grotesque. The practice could be said to fall under the auspices of “Victorian Whimsy”, a popular cultural phenomena that influenced a portion of the art and literature of the time with a definition characterized by “capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression: a play with lots of whimsy….an odd or fanciful notion”.

According to Charlotte Taylor, contributing author to Frieze Magazine, “Whimsy’s affinity with the Victorian bespeaks a hope that culture may regain its bygone influence, but its note of self-parody indicates a defiant readiness to court irrelevance. That parody is readily reflected in the displays laid out in the Backus-Page House Museum’s exhibit “Get Stuffed~ A Whimsical Look at the Victorian Anthropomorphic Taxidermy Tradition”. The exhibit is a light hearted look at the practice that so delighted Queen Victoria that she described the anthropomorphic Great Exhibition displays in her diaries as “really marvelous”. Drawing influence from Hermann Ploucquet's work which figured prominently at the Exhibition as well as the later work of Walter Potter, the museum exhibit presents a glimpse of what was formerly a common practice. Working with specimens from primarily contemporary collections, museum staff have endeavored to provide an opportunity for visitors to experience some small measure of the anthropomorphic taxidermy discipline.  The Backus-Page House Museum is open Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 4:30 pm and holiday Mondays 12 noon to 4:30 pm. General admission to the museum is by donation (there may be a fee for special events).

Backus-Page House Museum

29424 Lakeview

Wallacetown, Ontario

http://www.backuspagehouse.ca/

info@backuspagehouse.ca

519-762-3072

Wallacetown Fair

The Backus-Page House Museum will be closed October 1st and 2nd. Come visit our table at the Wallacetown Fair. We'll see you there!!!

We're Looking For Old Tractors and Machines

The Backus-Page House is looking for tractor and machinery exhibitors for this year's Heritage Farm Show. If you've got an antique tractor come out Sept 3 and 4 to share your tractor with everyone at the show. Old engines or machinery are welcome as well (how old? old enough to be considered an antique). There's no cost to exhibit and participants are invited to a volunteer dinner on Saturday night. Call 519-762-3072 to let us know you'll be here. The show runs Saturday 10am to 4pm. On Sunday there's a pancake breakfast for the public from 9am to 11am, worship service at 11am and the show runs from noon to 4pm.

8th Annual Heritage Farm Show

8th Annual Heritage Farm Show

Labour Day Weekend

September 3rd and 4th

Backus Page-House Museum

29424 Lakeview Line,

Wallacetown, Ontario

Summer is winding down and it is time for the annual Heritage Farm Show at the Backus-Page House, located just south of Wallacetown. Demonstrations planned over the two day event feature threshing, a working steam engine, farm horses, wagon rides and historic farming interpretive displays. While on site, tour the Backus-Page House Museum where costumed interpreters will be available to take visitors on a trip back through time to the year 1850. The current exhibit titled “Saint Peter’s Anglican Church- Celebrating 184 Years”, runs until Thanksgiving Day. The exhibit allows visitors an opportunity to see rare items from the church that are not often made available for public viewing. With so much to do, it is easy to work up a big appetite. The Heritage Farm Show does not disappoint providing a BBQ lunch on both days along with a bean pot on Saturday. The Sunday pancake breakfast runs from 9 am to 11am. The worship service starts at 11 am on the lawn of the museum and the second day of the farm show activities begins at 12 noon.

Saturday- Heritage Farm Show runs 10am to 4pm.

Sunday – Pancake breakfast begins at 9am.Worship service begins at 11am.

Heritage Farm Show runs 12 noon to 4pm.

Admission- Adults $6, Children $3, 5 & under free

Pancake breakfast – additional cost- Adults $6, Children $3, 5 & under free

Please note that all patrons who enter the gate, regardless of their activities, including the pancake breakfast and worship service, are required to pay gate admission.

8th Annual Heritage Farm Show

8th Annual Heritage Farm Show

Labour Day Weekend

September 3rd and 4th

Backus Page-House Museum

29424 Lakeview Line,

Wallacetown, Ontario

Summer is winding down and it is time for the annual Heritage Farm Show at the Backus-Page House, located just south of Wallacetown. Demonstrations planned over the two day event feature threshing, a working steam engine, farm horses, wagon rides and historic farming interpretive displays. While on site, tour the Backus-Page House Museum where costumed interpreters will be available to take visitors on a trip back through time to the year 1850. The current exhibit titled “Saint Peter’s Anglican Church- Celebrating 184 Years”, runs until Thanksgiving Day. The exhibit allows visitors an opportunity to see rare items from the church that are not often made available for public viewing. With so much to do, it is easy to work up a big appetite. The Heritage Farm Show does not disappoint providing a BBQ lunch on both days along with a bean pot on Saturday. The Sunday pancake breakfast runs from 9 am to 11am. The worship service starts at 11 am on the lawn of the museum and the second day of the farm show activities begins at 12 noon.

Saturday- Heritage Farm Show runs 10am to 4pm.

Sunday – Pancake breakfast begins at 9am.Worship service begins at 11am.

Heritage Farm Show runs 12 noon to 4pm.

Admission- Adults $6, Children $3, 5 & under free

Pancake breakfast – additional cost- Adults $6, Children $3, 5 & under free

Please note that all patrons who enter the gate, regardless of their activities, including the pancake breakfast and worship service, are required to pay gate admission.
New tractor and machinery exhibitors are welcome. Contact 519-762-3072

The Heritage Farm Show is presented by the Tyrconnell Heritage Society. Funds raised from the Heritage Farm Show are used to offset operating expenses at the Backus-Page House Museum. For more information about the Heritage Farm Show, the Backus-Page House Museum, the John E. Pearce Provincial Park or the Tyrconnell Heritage Society you may like us on Facebook, call the Carriage House Office at 519-762-3072 or visit us at www.backuspagehouse.ca or www.tyrconnellheritagesociety.blogspot.com .

We're Offering a Third Week of Day Camp

 Both sessions of day camp filled up early so we're offering another week of summer fun. Spots are open for a third session of camp, August 22- 26. The program runs from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. The cost is $100 per camper (ages 6 to 10). Spaces are filling up so call 519-762-3072 or email tyrconnell@execulink.com to book your spot today!

Relive the Talbot Settlement

RELIVE THE TALBOT SETTLEMENT

BACKUS-PAGE HOUSE MUSEUM

29424 LAKEVIEW LINE

WALLACETOWN, ONTARIO

519-762-3072

Friday May 27- 9:30 to 2:30- Education Programs- $8 flat fee per guest- public schools, home schools and general public are all welcome. Please call ahead to register.

Saturday May 27- 10:00 to 4:00- Adults $8/ children under 12 & $4/ 5 and under free- Military raids and mini militia  10:30 and 1:00/ theater performances 11:30 and 2:00/ various historic demonstrations through out the day.

Sponsored in part by the Building Communities Through Art and Heritage Program

Museum Opening Event

Please join us on Sunday May 1st from 12 noon to 4 pm as we celebrate the season opening with a used book sale at the Backus-Page House Museum. 

There will be fun for all so come out and spend the afternoon!

Elgin Historical Society

The Elgin Historical Society was originally established in 1891 as the Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute. This local organization works to discover and preserve the history of the Elgin area. The Tyrconnell Heritage Society is pleased to provide the EHS's 2011 Event Calendar. The EHS will visit the Tyrconnell area on May 25th for the annual Talbot Toast at Thomas Talbot's graveside followed by a meeting at the Backus-Page House. If you'd like to learn more about the Elgin Historical Society or attend one of their activities email Grant at gghughson@hotmail.com


Elgin Historical Society
Events Calendar 2011

February: Date and Time: Wednesday 23rd at 7:30pm
Location: Elgin Military Museum
Event: Quilts and the Underground Railway presented by Mrs. Brodie.

March: Date and Time: Wednesday 23rd at 6:00-6:15pm (Old Mill Restaurant) 7:15-7:30pm (Annandale Museum)
Location: Annandale Museum and Old Mill Restaurant in Tillsonburg.
Event: Dinner at the Old Mil Restaurant
Tour of Annandale Museum by local historical society member followed by meeting and refreshments
Total cost $30.00

April: Date and Time: Wednesday 27th at 7:30pm
Location: Elgin County Museum
Event: Elgin County Courthouse Archeological Dig presented by Archivist Holly Martelle

May: Date and Time: Wednesday 25th at 7:00pm
Location: Tyrconnell and Backus-Page House for Business Meeting
Event: Toast to Talbot given by James Reaney

June: Date and Time: Wednesday 22nd at 7:00pm
Location: Hepburn Farm Barn
Event: An Evening Garden Tea followed by a night in the Hepburn Barn with videos presented by Peter Hepburn.

September: Date and Time: Wednesday 28th at 7:00pm
Location: Elgin County Railway Museum
Event: Museum Tour with a meeting in the Artifacts Room to follow.

October: Date and Time: Wednesday 26th -arrival 7:00, start tours at 7:30pm
Location: Gay Lea Museum
Event: Museum Tour

November: Date and Time: to be confirmed
Location: to be confirmed
Event: Remembrance Week Event with guest speaker

December: Date and Time: To be determined by OGS
Location: To be determined by OGS.
Event: Christmas Party with Ontario Genealogical Society and Elgin Historical Society

2011 Event Calendar

2011 Event Calendar

Clean Up Day

April 16, 2011

9am

Backus-Page House Museum and Grounds

Come lend a hand getting the museum and site ready for the opening of the 2011 season.

Call 519-762-3072 if you'd liek to come out to help clean up the park trail, estate grounds and/or the museum. You don't have to be a member to help out and it's a great way to contribute to your community!

Members Night
April 30, 2011
Backus-Page Carriage House

We would like to say thank you to our members and volunteers without whom the Backus-Page House would not be able to operate. Save the date and come out to enjoy food, friends and fun at the Carriage House. Look for details in our spring newsletter.

Museum Opening Day Celebration

Sunday May 1, 2011
12-4:30 pm
Backus-Page House

The Tyrconnell Heritage Society and staff at the Backus-Page House will mark the start of the 2011 museum season with a social gathering, used book sale (children and adults) and light refreshments.

Relive the Talbot Settlement
Backus-Page House
May 27 & 28, 2011

Friday May 27th - Pioneer Education Day
The Backus-Page House plays host to a cadre of re-enactors and literally hundreds of students during our Pioneer Education Day. Scheduled activities offer the opportunity for students to catch a glimpse of a bygone era through period demonstrations and an exploration of the skill and lifestyle of early pioneers in Upper Canada. The public is welcome to attend but is advised to call ahead for times and admission prices.

Saturday May 28th - 10am-4:30pm - Talbot Settlement Reenactment
The grounds of the Backus Page House will come alive with sutlers, reenactors, First Nations history interpreters and live entertainment. Come enjoy food, shopping, displays, performers and military reenactments. Gate opens at 10am. Call for additional information and admission prices.

Strawberry Social
June 26, 2011 – 1pm
Backus-Page House

Come enjoy the bounty of our county and our community heritage as the Tyrconnell Heritage Society hosts an 1850s Strawberry Social.

Backus-Page House Adventure Day Camp
July 18th- 22nd and August 8th-12th 2011
Backus-Page House

Children ages 6 to 10 are welcome to come take part in adventure and discovery, make new friends and learn about our pioneer past and the great outdoors. Preregistration is required. Contact the Carriage House at 519-762-3072 or visit us at www.backuspagehouse.ca for more info.

Heritage Farm Show
September 3rd &4th , 2011
Backus-Page House

Come out Labour Day Weekend to enjoy our annual Heritage Farm Show at the Backus-Page House located just south of Wallacetown. Demonstrations planned over the two-day event include threshing, baling, working farm horses and historic farming interpretive displays. Sunday pancake breakfast and worship service. There will barbeque available for purchase both days.

Harvest Dinner
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Lakeview Gardens, Eagle

Cocktails at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm- Live and silent auction, entertainment to follow. Ticket will be available late Summer 2011

Backus-Page Christmas Dinner
Saturday December 3, 2011
Backus-Page House

Come enjoy a 19th century Victorian Christmas Dinner to be served at the Backus-Page House Museum. Tickets are $100 per seat and will be available for purchase Spring of 2011.

Backus-Page House Holiday Dinner

Backus-Page House Holiday Dinner
Backus-Page House Museum
29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown, Ontario
December 4, 2010
6:30pm

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads…A Visit From St Nicholas~ 1823 ~Clement Mark Moore

Visions of sugar plums will pale in comparison to the culinary delights awaiting attendees at the annual Backus-Page House Holiday Dinner.
Join us for a trip into the gastronomic history of the Talbot Settlement!

The year is 1855 and the event is Christmas dinner at one of the most auspicious homes in the area. Let Andrew and Mary Jane Backus welcome you to their lovely home, decorated for the season with the fireplaces aglow. Enjoy a multi-course meal by the warmth of fire and candle light. Each course is created from authentic recipes replicated from period cookbooks that could have been used in the Backus household.

Christmas Dinner Menu

Lamb’s Wool, Potted Shrimp with Biscuits Patties
Roasted Chestnuts, Pickles, Mullegetawny Soup
Steamed Perch, Steward Sauce, Lemon Pickle
Venison en Croute, Current Sauce, Turkey, Oyster Stuffing
Mushroom Ketsup, Potatoes à la Maitre d’Hôtel, Fried Kale
Mashed Turnip, Stewed Squash, Curried Vegetables
Christmas Pudding, Hard Sauce
Almonds, Marzipan, Sugar Plums, Tablet
Coffee, Tea, Cordial

Courses will be served with the appropriate libation.
The above menu is subject to modification.
Cost: $100 a seat with a $50 tax receipt (seating is limited).

It is an enthralling experience you will remember forever!

For further information you may call the Carriage House Office at 519-762-3072.
The evening is the perfect gift for “foodies”, historians
and anyone interested in local history!

The Backus-Page House Holiday Dinner is hosted by the Tyrconnell Heritage Society. The Society is a local nonprofit organization incorporated in 1994 and dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Backus-Page House and the history of the Talbot Settlement.
www.backuspagehouse.ca
www.tyrconnellheritagesociety.blogspot.com

Heritage Farm Show Program 2010

Join us Saturday September 4th and Sunday September 5th for our annual Heritage Farm Show. Please see below for scheduling for this great two day event.

SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. : Horse drawn Wagon Tours of neighbouring historic sites from the parking lot, children’s activities and games throughout the day
10:00 a.m. : Horse drawn tillage demonstration throughout the day in the back field
10:30 a.m. : Master Gardeners presentation on herbs in the Backus-Page House kitchen garden
11:00 a.m. : Threshing
11:30 a.m. : Demonstration *
12:00 p.m. : Barbeque Lunch available – Bean Pot later
1:00 p.m. : Demonstration *
- Scarecrow making and decorating, family activity
1:30 p.m. : Threshing
2:00 p.m. : Master Gardeners repeat presentation
- Barn museum guided tour
2:30 p.m. : Demonstration *
3:00 p.m. : Threshing
3:30 p.m. : Children’s Scavenger Hunt for candy in the straw
- Baling straw
4:00 p.m. : Show closes for the day


SUNDAY Please note that all patrons entering the gate regardless of activities including the pancake breakfast and worship service are required to pay gate admission.
9:00a.m. – 11a.m. : Pancake Breakfast – Adults $6, Children (6-12) $3, 5 and under free
11:00 a.m. : Outdoor Worship Service
12:00 p.m.: Horse drawn tillage, Wheat planting, Horse drawn Wagon Tours, Children’s activities throughout the day
12:00 p.m.: Threshing
12:30 p.m.: Barbeque Lunch available
12:30 p.m.: Demonstration *
1:00 p.m. : Master Gardeners presentation on herbs in the Backus-Page House kitchen garden
1:30 p.m. : Threshing
2:00 p.m.: Demonstrations *
- Organized children’s games
3:00 p.m.: Threshing
3:30 p.m.: Children’s Scavenger Hunt for candy in the straw
- Baling straw
4:00 p.m.: Show closes - PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN ON SEPT. 3 & 4, 2011 FOR OUR HERITAGE FARM SHOW

*Demonstrations may include a buzz saw, corn cutting box, cream separator, blacksmithing, log sawing, cross-cut sawing, rope making

Exhibits – Trapping expert and animal display, antique cars, agricultural displays

Children Activities – fanning mill, bagger, hand corn sheller, hand pump, push lawn mowers, weigh scales, Sunday straw maze

Backus-Page House Museum – Current exhibit- The Wallacetown Fair ~ Sewn and Home Grown~ Celebrating 150 Years of Progress, House demonstrations including baking and textile arts, tours throughout the day

Annual Heritage Farm Show

Backus-Page House Heritage Farm Show

Saturday September 4th
Come out Labour Day Weekend to enjoy our annual Heritage Farm Show at the
Backus-Page House located just south of Wallacetown. The gates open at 10am. Demonstrations planned over the two day event include threshing, steam engine, working farm
horses, horse drawn wagon rides and historic farming interpretive displays. There will be scarecrow decorating on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday September 5th
Sunday the site will host a pancake breakfast starting at 9 am. There's a worship service at 11am on the lawn of the museum and farm show activities begin again at 12 noon. There are a variety of implements to be viewed for those who enjoy history, agriculture and changes in technology. While on site do not forget to tour the Backus-Page House Museum where costumed interpreters will be available to take visitors on a trip back through time to the year 1850 or check out our latest exhibit "The Wallacetown Fair~ Sewn and Home Grown~ Celebrating 150 Years of Progress". There will be a straw maze for the kids (old and young alike) on Sunday.

New tractor and machinery exhibitors are welcome-to sign up please call
Jim West at 519-762-3527

Admission -Adults $6, Children 6 to 12- $3, 5 and under free

Pancake breakfast additonal cost - Adult $6, Children 6 to 12- $3, 5 and under free

Barbeque will be available to purchase both days

with a bean pot on Saturday and sweet corn on Sunday.

Please note that all patrons entering the gate regardless of activities including the pancake breakfast and worship service are required to pay gate admission.
Call 519-762-3072 for additional information

or click on the pictures below to read our media release.

Backus-Page House Wallacetown Fair Exhibit

Please join us for our newest exhibit "The Wallacetown Fair ~Sewn and Home Grown~ Celebrating 150 Years of Progress". The exhibition runs from July 10th to September 6th. .

The Backus-Page House and Tyrconnell Heritage Society would like to thank the Wallacetown (& West Elgin) Agricultural Society for its assistance in providing resource material for this exhibit.

Trails Open Summer Celebration

Open Trails Day Summer Celebration
Backus-Page House Museum
Saturday July 10th 10-4:30pm

Come spend the day at the beautiful John E. Pearce Provincial Park. Learn about the distinct Carolinian characteristics of the area while enjoying a guided trail tour with local nature experts (tour begins at 2pm). There will be box lunches, barbeque burgers and hotdogs available for purchase. Compete in our children's scavenger hunt. Local wildlife enthusiast Laura Hathaway will do 2 presentations at 11am and 1pm on the topics of butterflies and bees. Spend a Saturday afternoon enjoying the provincial park in your own backyard.

Mmmmm Barbeque!

On June 19th and 20th, Empire Valley Farm Market and Greenhouses will be celebrating 25 years in our community. The Tyciety will be on site at 27983 Talbot Line hosting a fundraising barbeque from 1 pm to 4 pm. Come out and help THS members and Empire Valley Market and Greenhouses owners Joy and David Westelaken celebrate a quarter of a century of business here in the heart of the Talbot Settlement. Enjoy a tour of the vegetable fields and greenhouses, have the children participate in a craft activity and buy a hot dog from our Tyrconnell Heritage Society volunteers (money raised will go towards operating costs at the Backus-Page House). Visit http://www.empirevalleyfarms.com/ to learn more!

Complimentary Area Events

Along with the Relive the Talbot Settlement Event at the Backus-Page House other area activities for the weekend include the Dutton Car Show at Dave Wheeler Automotive in Dutton, Dutton community yard sales as well as the Cruising Campground promotion (see poster below). Come down to the Dutton Dunwich area to enjoy all three great budget and family friendly events!

Relive The Talbot Settlement Event

Please join us to celebrate our Relive the Talbot Settlement Event