Okay - working on the Historic Canada Series isn't exactly work.  But my trip to my hometown in SW Ontario is over and my self-appointed task of recreating some of this country's historically significant sites is again underway.

While we were away, my husband and I enjoyed a visit to the Backus-Page House Museum - one of a few remaining homes built by residents of the historic Talbot Settlement along the north shore of Lake Erie.  The founder Colonel Thomas Talbot, born into Anglo-Irish nobility, used his influence to acquire 5000 acres of land in Upper Canada in 1803.  He carefully selected families from his homeland to colonize the region ruling over them with a somewhat despotic control.  The result was the organization of twenty-nine townships stretching from Long Point to the Detroit River.

When I was growing up in St. Thomas, once the political and commercial hub of the region, little mention was made of the Colonel in our history lessons.  Perhaps he was not fondly remembered by the descendants of the early settlers.  His own home, Malahide - named after the Irish castle in which he was born - fell into disrepair and was demolished in the 1990's in spite of the growing interest of local heritage enthusiasts.  Now the Tyrconnel Heritage Society and other history and genealogical societies work to protect the remaining evidence of early settlement including the John S. Pearce House (1809), the Col. Leslie Patterson House (1814), the Stephen Backus Farm (1825), the Meredith Conn House (1828), St. Peter's Anglican Church (1827) and the nearby cemetery.

We had a wonderful afternoon exploring the Backus-Page Museum and the adjoining Park, strolling through the woods on the sandy cliffs high above the crashing waves of Lake Erie.  The museum staff was friendly and knowledgeable, and our guide did an excellent job of pointing out the features of the house.  Turns out she is a fellow Simmer and was enthusiastic about my Historic Canada Series.  I took lots of pictures so that I could try to capture the simple elegance of the home, especially the handcrafts used throughout the home - quilts, hooked rugs and paintings by a descendant of the former owners.

While exploring the area, we also enjoyed spotting the large murals installed in various locations throughout the 5 counties of SW Ontario.  The Barn Quilt Trail project depicts traditional quilt patterns whose names evoke the historical or geographical aspects of the area.  The Backus-Page barn is the site of one such installation so I have included a quilt wallhanging in my Sims recreation (with thanks to TSR submitter IOS).  

I encourage you to take a little break from the Sims, explore your area and support your local heritage society.  You never know what might inspire your next Sims creation.