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q "j. k 'The Homestead -- 2 - A committee was formed to be guided by expert advice on the furnishings. (Sub--' committee of the larger National Committee). Mr. James S. Gooding, museum Diva ision, Ontario Department of Travel and Publicity, and~Mrs. Jeanne Minhihnick, Upper Canada Village, Morrisburg, Ontario, visited the Homestead with the come mittee. The Homestead is to be the replica of a modest rural home of the peribd when Mrs. Hoodless lived there. The period decided upon is 1857 - 1881, these being the dates as near as it is possible to ascertain the years when our Founder actually lived in the Homestead. During the year 1962 the committee concentrated on the furnishings of the halls, parlour, parlour bedroom, and girl's bedroom. Small panes of glass were placed in the windows which did not have them. 'washrooms were installed at the rear of the Homestead. A new drainage system "as necessary for this project. This was done in accordance with the regulations of the Township. All drains were filled in with top soil, reseeded and equipment supplies procured for the washrooms. . June 2, 1962, was an historic day when hrs. Keith Rand, Port WilliamS, N.S., Chairman of the Homestead Committee unveiled the plaque marking the W.I. Founder's birthplace as a national historic site. This was made possible by the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board, Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, which proclaimed Mrs. Hoodless an eminent Canadian. April, 1963, a terrific wind storm destroyed part of the roof on the north of the Homestead. The Annual FWIC Board meeting in Ottawa, at that same date, ap-- proved re-shingling the house with cedar, painting the building white and sup-- plying their own.picnic tables with picnic equippent in_the basement. The furnishings committee is working on furnishings for the dining room, par- ents' bedroom, and the kitchen by the fire-p1ace in the basement. The library contains 121 volumes, two books recently given by Lady Tweedsmuir. A list is available from the National Office. Fifty-two volumes came to the Homestead from the Capron estate in Paris, and are within appropriate dates to the Homestead. The lovely guest book and record book is the gift of the Home Economics Depart- ment, Ontario Department of Agriculture, and is completely up to date. The lectern to hold the guest book is the gift of the Canadian Home Economics Association. The furnishings in the Homestead have been the gifts of groups and individuals. Two acres of land adjoining the Homestead at the west hamebeen purchased by the South Dumfries Township Council for park use, along with that owned by the FWIC surrounding the Homestead. Another historic event took place at the Homestead. This was the visit of Hrs. Gerda van Beekhoff, The Netherlands, President of the Associated Country Women of the World, on June 19, 1963. Tea was served by the Homestead Committee in the restored dining room, using tea cloth and dishes of that period, one hundred im--BHHHH?