Wednesday 7 May 2014

Westbrook House Opens


 
Raise a Glass of Lemonade!
Historic Westbrook House
Opens at Westfield

 
Come to Westfield on Sunday May 18th 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 18th 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.