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i Memories of Victorian fCanada-preserved - at Stoney; Creek 5 Erland-L ee reSIdence fic- . . . By Terry McNamee Victor and Hilda Beaéhin are plain people, exuding the warmth and friendliness that gfimct'e'rize;rural Ontario. ' ' Together they share a unique and import-- :ant occupation as host and hostess of the 'historic Erland Lee Home, located on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek. The Beachins take great pride in their work, and like nothing better than to share their extensive know- led e. o£,the local history with visitors. _ e 'afi'p'r'e'opfe Eorfie from all over the world," says Mrs. Beachin. "They often make a special effort to see the Lee Home during their trip to Canada." The gracious white frame house sits on 2.9 acres of the original Lee homestead, which was established by United Empire Loyalist James Lee in 1792. The yellow roses and. orange tiger lilies he planted can still be seen today on the beautifully-kept grounds surrounding the house. Lee himself built the seven-foot-tall kitchen cabinet from virgin pine which grew on his land. James Lee was accidentally killed while helping to build the first frame house in Saltfieet Township, and, 'when his son John married,in_1aol he was given the Crown Deed to the land. John replaced the originatioggabinflith aframe 'nouse burlt ffo'm'tfi'e homestead's own pine boards. In 1860, John' son Abram Lee planned the present house, "Edgemount", and in 1873 finished the front portion of the house and removed the back part which had been built earlier. The handsome verge boards on the gables and front porch were hand-carved in_ ithe shape of joined maple leaves by a 4--year-old carpenter's apprentice, who eeded an entire summer to complete the ntricate craftsmanship. The house was doubtediy considered very modern when t was built, since it has no fireplaces. At hat time, fireplaces were going out of style i nd were being replaced by large iron toves, an example of which still sits in the did pioneer kitchen. » John's grandson, Erland Lee, was the ourth generation of Lees to occupy the site, and he used the lOO--acre property to produce ruit, maple syrup, fancy dairy butter, and he area as a prosperous farmer and usinessman, and it was during his residen- fine Jersey cattle. Erland was well-known in ' cy that the house achieved its primiry historical significance. Erland was at} ar- ter member of the Farmer's Institut 1of South Wentworth, founded in 1882, and l ter became Secretary-Treasurer and Presi nt of that organization. In 1897, Erland Lee and his wife, J! et Chisholm Lee,'became instrumental iligh§~ establishment of the world's first Wom n'S Institute. A group of interested pet le gathered together in the ,Lee'home, an as they sat around the old dining room t' 1e they drew up the first Constitution. for he new organization. Janet Lee herself wro it out in flowing script. Today a photocop of the original Constitution sits in a plac of honor on the original walnut ,table in e dining room. It is a much-prized mement of the beginnings of the Women's Institll , which has since become established int-734 countries around the world. ' h After sheltering six generations of the ' ee family, a long--cherished hope was fulfil ed when the Federated Women's Institutes, of Ontario was able to purchase the house, thus assuring its preservation. On June 15, 1972, the 75th Anniversary 'of the Wome'n's LOCAL MUSEUMS RECEIVE ' OPERATING GRANTS r My colleague, Nick Leluk, formerly Minister of Citizenship and Culture, an- institute was celebrated when the Lee home was officially transferred to the Institute. The purchase included several of' the original furnishings, in particular the old pine kitchen cupboard and the dining room table. . - Renovations were begun immediately to ,restore the house to its original early, tVictorian style, With new paint and wall- gpaper and a fresh sanding of the original film floor, the house began to take shape, and the donation of period furniture, cloth- 'ing, ornaments, toys, and many household articles added the finishing touches. . » Today, the house has been restored so .completely that the visitor feels like a. guest in a lovely private home. The back door leads into the kitchen, which is complete with apple slices drying on a rack over ,the stove. In a nearby' corner, a primitive wooden washing machine looking like a_ "mechanical washboard sits ready for use. This is a house which once rang with children's laughter; in the parlor, two child-sized chairs await their small owners. Framed prints of dogs and children and $ 2 7 gentle farm animals reflect the tradition of the house and its original f The dining room, is resplendent n rglorious glass chandelier which sends bows of sunlight dancing across the pol surface of the old walnut table.. 7 Upstairs, two bedrooms and ,a 'se room look only. recently vacated by l rightful occupants. Hand-made quilts co the beds, and in the" closets fresldyfpress clothes hangin-readine's's. In the nurseryfi little grey donkey and his brightlyériainte, cart stand obediently on a shelf, watcher", over by a quartet of much-loved dolls. The door is carefully'guarded from cold air draughts by-'Va'lonv'g; miling, brown Bach: Shund, whose plush'body. doubles as a doorstoprwhen the door is open. Next to the house, "there is a building called the DrivingvShed; Originally-used for storing wagons, buggies, sleighs,' and cute tersrit features'anopper floor witha large :hole cut in'th'etcentre'. Above the holea winch was built 'to raise and lower the vehicles in the spring and fall, when those not in .use would be stored upstairs. This, building has been extensively renovated, and is now insulated and heatedr Today it is ,used_as a showroom for additionalzartifacts such as quilts, tools, and utensils. ' For} seven years now, Hilda and Victor» Beachin have been acting as officialihostess and host .at ,the Erland Lee 'VHome; A- \Women'srlnstitute member since 1938,*Hilda \and her husband take a strong piersonal interest in their work. Together the Beach- ins provide visitors with historicallinfonnat- ion and a personal insight into the;use§, of many of the artifacts on display. Mr. Beachin is worried. about the loss of knowledge from past generations. "i hope that someday-it. will be,possible toauseathe Driving Shedasa special classroomto'teach children sortie-of the old craftslthat are. slowly disappearing," he says. 7 The Erland Lee Home is open weekdays from 10 am. :to 3 p.m. irorn January. Visitors are invited especially to come out on December 3 and 4, wheniithe ' F """"='°d to: a 'Vi'ctorian \ "K Wentworth were receiving operating grant One of these is the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum at the airport in Mount Hope, in the Gianbrook part of my riding. In addition to receiving a substantial operating grant, the Warpiane Heritage Association also was given funding for an Experience '85 summer student to work as the tourism officer. The second museum is in Stoney Creek, i the Erland Lee (Museum) Home. Many of \0 us know it well, in its wonderful location \3 nounced late in June that two museums in % support from the provincial government. E at the top of DeWitt Road in Stoney Creek, overlooking the escarpment brow. / \- s. i i K": a (\Ex '0 E' r