Submitted by Ken Hirter

Did you know that on May 18th 2021 is INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM MONTH here in Hamilton and in your own City, Town & Country? Walkabout and visit the museums in your neighborhood.

This months Walkabout finds me at Whiternhern House which is temporarily closed at this time. The history & storytelling inside and within this beautiful classic Georgian, Victorian & Edwardian home and the furnishing is reflective of the charm, elegance, grace & refinement of a step back in time within the walls of WHITERNHERN HISTORIC HOUSE AND GARDENS.

HISTORY:  Whiternhern Historic House & Garden in Hamilton, Ontario was built in 1852 and was home to the McQuesten family from 1852-1968 and the Honourable Thomas McQuesten, Minister of Highways. They opened their home to the general public in 1971. The last generation of his 6 children who never married and bequeathed their family home, including all of its contents intact to the city in 1959. Inside the walls and up and down the staircase of this beautiful home both indoor & outdoors, the home and the furniture gives the impression that the McQueen family is just on a holiday. Did you know that this is home to the first rumpus (rec) room that was built in the late 1930’s? The last of the modern updates and renovations, including the kitchen & maid service quarters took place in 1939. Then it is a walk outside to the beautiful deck, patio & gardens.

THE GARDENS:  Off the kitchen and back door is a walk out to the beautiful deck, carriage house and the band shell gazebo. Cobble stone paths and gated fences surround the grounds. When looking out you can see the old stone bridge and church with the clock towers above that was built around the same time period, towering beside the grounds and surrounding this gated home as well are the magnificent old trees.

MEMORIES: “l went to a Garden Party & Reminisced with my Old Friends.” Ricky Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band.

My fondest memories have to be the Wednesday 12 noon high tea, served by the staff dressed in period costumes. The tea service was served on china with a smile or lemon aid for only $1. There was also the free concert series underneath the stone & copper roof band shell gazebo showcasing Hamilton’s local talented musicians and singers. You could enjoy everything from jazz, to the 1940’s contemporary classics, to classical music with the violins and the wind instruments on a sunny Wednesday at noon.  As of this writing hopefully by July the High Tea and concert series will resume.

Whiternhern house is located on 41 Jackson Street nestled in central Hamilton behind City Hall. Contact 905-546-2018.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION:

Teddy Bears Picnic on August 12th at noon till 2.oo pm.

For old fashioned games, along with a Teddy bear parade and the Teddy Bear Holiday and a visit to the Teddy bear hospital if you go down to the woods today. (ages 3 to 7) and don’t forget their teddy bear. Tickets are $5 – $7, visit hamilton.ca

Spring is here, go out and enjoy the gardens and museum sites today.

Cheers till next time…..