Spend a day, experience a century at Fanshawe Pioneer Village

April 9, 2013 London, Ontario – Spend a day in the 19^th century at Fanshawe Pioneer Village opening for the 54th season on Saturday, May 18th. The past comes alive through daily demonstrations of trades, farming practices, domestic chores and social pastimes by costumed interpreters. 14 feature events celebrate the unique history of this region during the 2013 season.

Fanshawe Pioneer Village tells the story of rural life in Middlesex County from 1820 to 1920. Original houses, churches, a woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, schools, an Orange Hall and a Tavern complete the rural landscape. Denfield General Store and Post Office, Harmer Sawmill, and the London Brewery present an urban community at the turn of the 20^th century.

The Denfield General Store operates as a full gift shop offering a unique variety of local hand crafted gifts, heritage reproductions and souvenirs. Drop by the Pioneer Village Café for a delicious lunch featuring homemade soups, salads and breads, all made with local produce.

Celebrate your future with a step back in time. From a wedding ceremony in a 19^th century church to a tented reception in our Brewery Yard or Tecumseh Field, Fanshawe Pioneer Village is the perfect location for weddings and corporate events. Choose from the 1910 Miller barn or an elegant space in the new Spriet Family Visitor Centre for your reception or event

New for 2013! The long awaited Spriet Family Visitor Centre opens to the public this spring. Watch for feature exhibitions and special events all year long.

CELEBRATE SPRING

Kids First Day – Trillium Community Gallery, Spriet Family Visitor Centre

Friday, April 19^th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Free day for families to play! Catch your first glimpse of the new Spriet Family Visitor Centre.

Presented in partnership with Investing In Children

Exhibition Opening – Trillium Community Gallery, Spriet Family Visitor Centre

Friday, April 19^th, 7:00 pm

To Friday, August 23^rd

First feature exhibition in the Trillium Community Gallery, “BIG ON GRAPHICS! BIG on DESIGN!” This exhibition was created by 98 students of the second year Graphic Design program of Fanshawe College under the direction of Tony Paul.

Presented in partnership with Fanshawe College

Village Opening - Saturday, May 18th

Opening Day for the 54th season of Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

Queen Victoria’s Birthday Celebrations - Monday, May 20th

Celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India. Join us for nineteenth century games, historical speeches, and vintage base ball all in reverence to our longest reigning monarch. Who knows? She might just make a sea voyage to the colonies to visit with her subjects in the Upper Canadian town of Fanshawe.

Vintage Base Ball game between London Tecumsehs and the Woodstock Actives at 1:00 pm.

JUNE JUBILEE

Spring on the Farm - Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th

Come meet the sheep, pigs, ducks and poultry who will live at Fanshawe Pioneer Village this season. See heavy horse teams planting spring crops in the farm fields and demonstrations of sheep shearing and herding.

SUMMER IN THE VILLAGE

Dominion Day - Monday, July 1

On the 1^st of July, 1867, Canada became a self-governing colony within the British Empire. Relive the past and discover the events surrounding the first Dominion Day (now Canada Day). Patriotic speeches, cake and lemonade and vintage baseball are a few of the activities that will bring the past to life.

Victorian Teddy Bear Picnic - Sunday, July 7^th

All the bears are gathering today for a Victorian Teddy Bear Picnic. Bring out your favourite stuffed friend for an afternoon of games in the park. Watch a puppet show and make your very own teddy bear puppet. Join Victorian Bear for a parade and enjoy a picnic of lemonade and cookies served in a real china tea cup.

Time Travelers Summer Day camps

July 15 – 19 Ages 9 - 12

July 22 - 26 Ages 6 – 8

August 12 – 16 Ages 9 - 12

August 19 – 23 Ages 6 - 8

It's the ultimate summer adventure - travel back in time! Fanshawe Pioneer Village offers a new summer day camp experience for children 6 - 12 who will become part of Village life. Campers will engage in farm and household chores, become apprentices in our Print, Woodworking and Blacksmith shops, play 19th century games, create Victorian crafts and celebrate the end of their week with a proper 19th century social.

Vintage Base Ball

Saturday, July 13

Watch a fine exhibition of 19^th century base ball. London Tecumsehs vs Northville Eclipse from noon to 2:00 pm and Northville Eclipse vs Woodstock Actives from 2:30 to 4:30.

Choose, But Choose Wisely. An 1812 play by Jeff Culbert

Tuesday to Thursday July 16,17,18

Tuesday to Friday July 23,24, 25

Performance at 7:30 p.m.

This original play follows the life of ordinary settlers in London Township during the War of 1812, desperately trying to eke out a living while caught between two giant military powers. As British Subjects, they are expected to fight with the local militia. The invading American General promises to do Upper Canadians no harm, as long as they refuse to take up arms against the United States. And if they do, US soldiers will take no prisoners. What choice will they make? What choice will they have....

Tickets: $15.00 each, admission included. Book on-line at www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca. Advance booking is required.

Fanshawe Frolic presents…

The Glorious Reign BallDances from Queen Victoria’s era: 1819-1901

Saturday August 3^rd & Sunday, August 4th

This year’s special Frolic theme focuses on the British Empire in the 19^th century and the reign of Queen Victoria. Our 19th century ball program will include dances and music from the years of Queen Victoria’s lifetime; from the late regency period to 1901.

The whole Village is coming to the Ball!

Come learn the social dances of the 19^th century with Dance Mistress, Mme. Cathy Stephens, on Saturday. Enjoy a country supper in the evening, followed by the period ball with live music provided by Childgrove of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Period costumes are encouraged but not required.

This theme offers a wide choice of costume for participants who can dress in any 19th century costume: Regency, mid 19^th century or late Victorian. Or come as a "visitor" from the far reaches of Queen Victoria's Empire…from the British Isles to Australia, from India to Hong Kong.

Bring the whole family to the Village on Sunday for Family Frolic!

Live music and more dancing with Mme. Stephens, followed by an afternoon tea.

Tickets: $50.00 + HST per person for the Victorian Ball and supper. Family Frolic on Sunday with regular admission. Book on-line at www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca. Advance booking is required.

Fanshawe Agricultural Fair - Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th

Experience all the pleasures of a 19^th century rural fair with threshing demonstrations, exhibits and musical entertainment.

“FALL” FOR THE VILLAGE

“London: A Newcomer’s Story” – Trillium Community Gallery, Spriet Family Visitor Centre

Tuesday, September 3^rd to Friday, December 20th

Leaving home to travel to a strange new land is just as difficult today as it was for our first settlers in the early 19^th century. Hear the stories of newcomers to London contrasted with the experience of our pioneers.

Presented in partnership with London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

Doors Open/Culture Days London – Saturday, September 28^th and Sunday, September 29^th

The Village doors are open and the admission is free for Doors Open London and Culture Days. See Vintage base ball on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Presented in partnership with London Heritage Council and London Arts Council.

Thanksgiving At the Village - Monday, October 14th

Villagers gather in thanks for the bountiful harvest. Join the celebration! Reserve your traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at the Pioneer Village Café. Thanksgiving Day will be the last day the Village is open for the season.

Haunted Village Hayrides

Friday, October 18^th and Sunday, October 20^th

Thursday, October 24^th – Sunday, October 27^th,

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29^th to 30^th

FARM of DRACULA. A Play by Jason Rip

Transylvania is getting to be a problematic place to reside for Count Dracula, especially since Van Helsing and the other vampire hunters know all about his weaknesses. Rather than risk a stake in the heart, Dracula opts to ”stake a claim” in the New World, disguising himself as a simple Middlesex County farmer. Unfortunately for the locals, he still needs to feed!

Performances at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm on Thursday and Sunday nights and 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Book on-line at www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca. Advance booking is required.

A Haunting We Will Go! - Saturday, October 26

Celebrate a historic Halloween! Trick or treat in the Village, bob for apples, hear a ghost story and participate in many other ghoulish activities. Costumes are welcome!

Fanshawe Pioneer Village will be open from 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Special Admission rate of $5.00 for all visitors over the age of 1 year.

CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLAGE

A Visit with St. Nicholas - Saturday and Sunday, December 7 – 8 and December 14 – 15

Families are invited to a Visit with St. Nicholas. Enjoy a hot pancake breakfast, followed by a baked gingerbread man to decorate for dessert. Hop aboard a horse drawn wagon for a beautiful winter ride around the Village and visit a selection of buildings preparing for Christmas. Of course the day wouldn’t be complete without the visit with St. Nicholas himself, who is happy to see each child.

Saturday and Sunday sittings available at 9:30, 11:00, and 1:00 p.m.

Book on-line at www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca. Advance booking is required.

Dickens’ Dinner Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30, Friday December 6^th and Saturday December 7^th, Friday December 13^th and Saturday, December 14^th

Old Cheeseman’s Christmas. A Play by Jason Rip.

Christmas at the Academy is a difficult time for the orphan boys who have no families to celebrate with. To make it even more painful, one of the least popular students, Old Cheeseman, has become the new Latin Master. Watch what happens when The Society, a secret gang of angry boys, decides to take revenge on this upstart. This play is an original adaptation of Charles Dickens,' "The Schoolboy's Story." Enjoy dinner and theatre from the 19^th Century!

Tickets $50.00 plus HST each. Maximum of 50 tickets per performance. Book on-line at www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca. Advance booking is required.