July Potlock at an historic setting

Despite the weather in Grey County on the afternoon of the19th (tornado watches and warnings, high winds and off and on pouring rain), a good group of members and guests met at the home of Cornelia and Andrew Baines in the former Sydenham Township for our summer potluck supper. The sun came out so that people could tour the beautiful gardens surrounding their home.

The dining room table was filled with a wide variety of delicious offerings brought to be shared. People ate in chairs out on the lawn, in the screened-in verandah and inside. In the kitchen, some tasty desserts topped off the meal. Oh yes, there was a birthday cake too. (Sorry, no photos of the yummy food)

 

There were several rain showers as we toured some of the rooms on the main floor. Our hosts plus their daughter, Niki and son-in-law, Michael, shared some of the stories of the home, the people who once lived there and the work they did to bring the house into the modern era while still maintaining many of the features of the house which is of the Ontario Gothic stone house style.

The house was built by Angus McArthur in 1876 and it was lived in by members of that family until the 1930s. Forty-three years ago, the Baines purchased this house and property (150 Acres). The house had no electricity, central heating or indoor plumbing. Water was obtained through a hand-pump in the kitchen. That is all changed now. They made additions to the building as well. To learn more about the story of how the Baines restored this home and the land, read the book by Cornelia Baines: Under Sydenham Skies.

Thank you to our hosts and all those who made the evening a successful and enjoyable evening.

Please note: The August meeting will not be on our usual week, day and time. It will be August 24th (4th Saturday) at 1:45 at the Neustadt Brewery. Watch for more details to come closer to the date.