Education Day

Learning and fun go hand in hand with history leading the way.....

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.

Relive the Talbot Settlement

Join the Tyrconnell Heritage Society as it hosts “Relive the Talbot Settlement” at the Backus-Page House Museum. The gate swings open on Saturday May 24th at 10am.
Children and adults are welcome to experience life as it once was in the historic Talbot Settlement. Museum interpretive guides, presenters and artisans, in period costume, will demonstrate pioneer skills and re-enact the War of 1812.

Admission: Adults -$6, Children (6-12) - $2, Children under 6 - Free, Family package- $15. The grounds and main floor of the museum are wheelchair accessible.

This event is funded in part by "Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program" of Heritage Canada. Contact the Cultural Manager, Lori Milos-Ivanski, at the Carriage House Office at 519-762-3072 for any additional information.

Heritage Car Tour

Spring Wings

Time isn't the only thing flying by as May settles into her stride. Here are some of the spring wings that have recently been seen in and around the Backus-Page House and surrounding Talbot Settlement.

Season Grand Opening

Saturday May 3rd, the Tyrconnell Heritage Society celebrated the official beginning of the 2008 museum season. The doors of the Backus-Page House were thrown open and all were invited to help get the year off to a great start.

Carol Mooney in the kitchen.

Special activities for the day included cooking demonstrations on the cast iron stove in the kitchen, a quilting presentation and lessons upstairs in the display room and a bake sale hosted by the ladies of the Anglican Church in the Carriage House.

Joe Preston announcing the grant.

A ceremony was held at 2pm to welcome members and guests. Joe Preston, Member of Parliament (Elgin-Middlesex-London), announced (on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages) funding for both the Tyrconnell Heritage Society as well as the community partner group MPoWER. The announcement was solemnised by a firm handshake between MPoWER representative Robert White and Joe Preston while Tyrconnell Heritage Society Past President and Chair of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee Leta West stood close at hand.
Leta was instrumental in the formation of MPoWER. The organisation was established on the very grounds of the Backus-Page House in 2005. MPoWER is the acronym for Marketing Partners of Western Elgin Region. This working committee is made up of various businesses, service clubs, agencies and individuals who want to see more people visit the Western Region of Elgin County. The Society and MPoWER will receive funding in the amount of $4,000 for the Western Elgin Historical and Cultural Collaboration of Events.

Stacie Littlejohn works in the natural light.

The events that fall under that funding umbrella are the Pioneer Education Day on Friday May 23rd, Relive the Talbot Settlement Day on May 24th and the Heritage Food Car Tour (which starts at the Backus-Page House Museum) on Sunday May 25th. According to the official press release from Joe Preston’s office “the three-day event will feature cultural and educational activities and displays that will offer visitors a historical perspective on rural living. The festival is also geared toward hobbyists, naturalists, and those interested in Aboriginal studies.”.

Eileen Hull represents the Anglican Church Women's Association.

Despite the rain and several other community events, attendance was good and Society members were kept running as guests toured the museum, enjoyed delicious pasties in the kitchen, stitched a quilt square, tried saltwater taffy from the Pearce Giftshop and sampled goods from the bake sale tables.

Henry and Tyson Dryfhout take a break.

Eva Dryfhout tells Talbot tales.

Clean Up Day

On Saturday April 26th the Tyrconnell Heritage Society held its annual clean up day at the Backus-Page House. Volunteer turn out was great. The small amount of rain that fell didn’t slow anyone down. With so many helping hands it wasn’t long before the museum and estate grounds were spic and span. The trial run of the new stove went off wonderfully and the house was filled with the smell of fresh baking for the first time in decades. A light lunch followed by cake for dessert was a great way to finish up the day. Thanks to everyone who came out to contribute their time and efforts.