1
When the village was reopened in 1990 concerned volunteers, led by Joanna Chapman, made a big effort to rehabilitate the Misener House. Metal rods were inserted in the post and beam frame to strengthen it, the roof and walls were repaired and extensive plasterwork was done to repair the interior. This was the beginning of the third life of the house and the Misener Family Reunion of 1992 was held at Westfield to celebrate the occasion. For almost twenty years, the Misener house enjoys a time of frequent use. Throughout the 1990's and 2000's the house was in constant use as an exhibit and demonstration space, both for public and education programming. Volunteers become loyal to the house, and like every building in the village the Misener is adopted by a new "family". These volunteers keep the homes clean and lived-in. Artifacts from the Westfield collections are brought in, and along side some reproductions, help to show the public what life was like for those living in Upper Canada. Volunteers do many things to help the homes come to life, including demonstrations of daily life activities, upkeep of garden and grounds, and the creation of time-period accurate clothing.2
Interpreters at work, 1997. C.1 January 1997
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
3
Interpreters at work, 1997. A.1 January 1997
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
4
In the preceeding two photographs, members of the Misener volunteer family do an interpretive demonstration of baking in the Misener kitchen in 1997. Ruth-Anne Corbin (bonnet) has sleeves rolled up to cut, while her assistant Karen stirs together ingredients. The following photograph shows a youth volunteer, Marleah Corbin. We can see the historical costuming on all three women, and are able to see some of the Misener home in the background.5
Interpreters at work, 1997. B.1 January 1997
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
6
Westfield holds special events programming as well as examples of daily life. The Misener house is always a favourite at Christmastime. It would be decorated in greenery and with a tenanbaum, or Christmas tree, in the Germanic tradition of the Misener family themselves.7
The Misener home in use for Westfield programming, 2002.1 December 2002
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
8
The Misener being used for programming.21st Century, 2000s
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
9
Baking and food interpretation is an easy way to help a home come to life. Nothing suggests a bustling home life like the sights, smells and tastes of food cooking on the wood-burning kitchen stove. Peter Misener, brother to Conrad, was actually the first man in Troy to own a wood burning stove.In the preceeding photograph, Ruth-Anne and another assistant bake biscuits. In the proceeding photo, another volunteer shows a young visitor the work she is doing to prepare dinner.
10
Interpretation in the Misener House.21st Century, circa 2004s
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Pete Lloyd
11
Cooking demonstrations, 2004.21st Century, circa 2004
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Pete Lloyd
12
Volunteers in costume don't stay inside all day long. They venture out into the village in order to do work on their grounds and gardens for the home, or else visit close neighbours to borrow or chat in character, in order to add to the feeling of life in the historical town. As the volunteers take to the grounds, we have the opportunity to see the Misener house in good repair and under frequent use, circa 2005.13
The side of the Misener house with costumed volunteer, 2005.1 January 2005
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
14
The Misener house with interpreters, 2006.1 January 2006
Westfield Heritage Villiage, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
 |
 |
 |
 |