First ever British Home Child Day to be held at Upper Canada Village on Sept. 28, 2011 in Morrisburg Ontario

Cornwall ON – The “British Home Child Day Act” or Bill 185 received Royal Assent on June 1, 2011.  Under this Private Members’ Bill, September 28 of each year is now designated as “British Home Child Day” in Ontario. From the 1860’s to the 1930’s over 100,000 children between infancy and 19 years were brought to Canada by various charitable institutions in hopes of securing a better life for these underprivileged boys and girls.A group of volunteers, dedicated to recognizing and honouring the contribution of British Home Children to Ontario and Canada, are working with officials at the St. Lawrence Parks Commission in order to commemorate the first British Home Child Day on September 28 at Upper Canada Village.

Plans include the dedication of a maple tree at the Aultsville Station, donated by MPP Jim Brownell, a sponsor of Bill 185 and Home Child descendant, displays from various Home Children organizations, an opportunity for friends and descendants to tell the story of their home child, and a specially planned British Home Child Tour of Upper Canada Village. The “Just Kidding” theatre group from Metcalfe will perform a sampling of their upcoming production based on a Home Child story, and throughout the day musicians will entertain guests. The day ends with a catered dinner at the Village’s Willard’s Hotel, with the purchase of advance tickets required.

For more information please consult www.uppercanadavillage.com by the beginning of September or e-mail Carolyn Goddard at carol.goddard@sympatico.ca.

“Canada’s British home children are a part of our country’s history.  They are a part of our heritage.  They represent a part of our past and their descendents represent a part of our future.  Their stories are ones that need to be taught in our schools and celebrated on Ontario’s British Home Child Day, September 28th.”Jim Brownell, MPP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

British Home Child Day at Upper Canada Village Schedule

9:30 am Discovery Centre opens – Parks Canada British Home Child Display will be featured
10:30 am Christ Church will be the location where a brief presentation on the history of British Home Children in Canada following which stories of British Home Children will be shared.
1:00 pm Aultsville Station – A Memorial Tree will be dedicated to the memory of British Home Children.  This tree was donated by MPP Jim Brownell, a home child descendent and whose legislation led to September 28 being designated as British Home Child Day in Ontario.
3:00 pm Christ Church will once again be the location where stories of British Home Children will be shared and period hymns sung.
3:30 pm Voices of the Past Tour (a series of vignettes telling the story of the British Home Children in Canada) leaves Christ Church and will proceed as a group to locations throughout the village.
5:30 pm Cook’s Tavern will be the location where the Just Kidding Theatre from Metcalfe will present a short selection from their upcoming play based on Home Children.
6:00 pm An evening meal will be held at Williard’s Hotel. There are a limited number of seats available so reservations must be made by September 13th 2011.  The cost of the meal is $28.00 per person, with a choice of beef stew, chicken or fish entrees available.  Please contact Carol Goddard, carol.goddard@sympatico.ca or Shirley Fawcett, rfawcett1928@gmail.ca for more information.

Throughout the day there will be opportunities to converse with other British Home Child descendents, tour Upper Canada Village, examine various exhibits, including the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) in the Harvest Barn and discover a part of our heritage.