Leave Ottawa east limits at 8.30am and reach Williamstown soon after 9.30am. We meet in the Irvine Hall of St. Andrew's United Church, where registration, a snack and refreshments await. After introductions we walk (8 minutes) or drive a short distance to visit to the Norwesters & Loyalist Museum in Williamstown, which features some of David Thompson's journeys. He married Charlotte Small; he died in 1857; they are buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal. The years 2007 - 2011 celebrates 200 years after his most significant expeditions - creating a 5-year bicentennial opportunity. There will be a presentation. Born in London, England, he followed the routes on many Scots - first as a Hudson's Bay Company agent and then as a Nor'Wester fur trader. After lunch there will be a walking tour to the Bethune-Thompson house, part of which is the oldest log home in Ontario. After being the Manse for Rev. Bethune, the house was occupied for many years by David Thompson.
We take a rural ride south then west, to the site of an original farm, settled by a Scots United Empire Loyalist from the New York Colony in 1783. The present farmhouse dates from 1850. Alexander MacDonell, a direct descendant of John Roy MacDonell, the original settler, will take a moment to share the families' life and times with us, over the generations. Alexander was featured in a British TV series "The Emigrants" a few years ago.
In the late afternoon, we travel to St. Andrew's West, where Sir Sanfield MacDonald, who served as Ontario's First Premier from 1867-1871,built the Inn in 1865; it is now called the Quinn's Inn. The tour starts at the Irvine hall of St Andrew's Church, Williamstown with a registration and snack, 9.30 - 10am, with a church tour following. Lunch will also be provided in the Hall of St Andrew's Church, Williamstown.
This is also an opportunity to see Ontario's oldest wooden and stone buildings. The tour will be based in the Irvine Hall, adjacent to St Andrew's Church, Williamstown, which was founded in 1787, and is one of the earliest congregations of what was to become Upper Canada.
Schedule - to be determined. Leave Ottawa about 8.30am. Tour finishes about 6 pm. Optional dinner at Quinns Inn, St Andrew's West, 7 - 8.30 pm
Fees: $45 - for
society members, about $55 for non-members (all are welcome,
including families with childeren of all ages). Wear suitable
clothing. . Registration is by using a mailed form, available early
May 2008. or the
Registration
form on-line, and sending in
a cheque, which must arrive by end-May, or a surcharge of $10
applies. Fee includes morning snack, lunch, light tea, admissions to
all museums etc. Brochure available - can be mailed on request - no
PDFs.
This is not a bus tour;
you use your own vehicle. Use the
Registration
Form
Reserve and ask for the flier by calling
613-728-5343 -
h.reekie@ieee.org
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