Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario opens for its 55th season

(News Release)

London, Ontario – The doors of Fanshawe Pioneer Village will be open to the public for the 55th time on Saturday, May 17^th. 

The season starts on a high note with birthday celebrations for Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India on Monday, May 19^th. Join us for 19th-century games, historical speeches, and vintage base ball, all in reverence to our longest reigning monarch.

Pick up heirloom seeds and seedlings at a Heritage Plan Sale, harvested from Village gardens, heirloom tomato seedlings and a variety of herbs on Saturday, May 17^th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Organized by Fanshawe Pioneer Village Garden Volunteers. 

  

Birthday celebrations for Queen Victoria and the vintage Base Ball game between London Tecumsehs and the Woodstock Actives will take place at 1:00 p.m. on May 19^th.

Sponsored by Superior Computers INC. 

Join us in the Spriet Family Visitor Centre with exhibits 1812: Perspectives from Southwestern Ontario through to April 25, 2014 followed by the Emigrant’s Trunk from May 17 to December 19, 2014.

CELEBRATE  SPRING

Village Opening - Saturday, May 17th

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

Exhibition: The Emigrant’s Trunk – Trillium Community Gallery, Spriet Family Visitor Centre
Saturday, May 17 to December 19^th, 2013

Historic accounts of early pioneers often reference an “emigrant’s trunk” – the physical container holding all the essentials for a long ocean voyage, the trade or agricultural tools needed for new settlement, and, that one special object that just could not be left behind. Using the theme of a settler’s trunk, this collaborative exhibit features the special objects brought to London by recent immigrants along with the stories the objects tell about a home left behind.

Queen Victoria’s Birthday Celebrations -  Monday, May 19th

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

Trails Open – Sunday, June 15^th

Celebrate the 55th season of Fanshawe Pioneer Village with 1959 admission prices – only 25 cents!

Day on the Farm - Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd

Come meet the sheep, pigs, ducks and poultry who will live at Fanshawe Pioneer Village this season. See heavy horse teams cutting and raking hay in the farm fields. Discover the whole process of cloth making from demonstrations of sheep shearing and herding, to carding, spinning and weaving wool.

SUMMER IN THE VILLAGE

Dominion Day – Tuesday, 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 13^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 14 – 18    Ages  9 - 12

July 21  - 25    Ages  6 – 8

August 11 – 15   Ages 9 - 12

August 18 – 22   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 12

Watch a fine exhibition of 19th century base ball. London Tecumsehs, Northville Eclipse, and Woodstock Actives battle it out Gatling gun style from noon to 4:30.

Light Comedy: A Play by Jason Rip

Tuesday to Thursday July 15,16,17

Tuesday to Friday July 22,23,24

Performance at 7:30 p.m.

Was the light bulb a Canadian invention? Obsessive inventor Henry Woodward and his rakish "investor" Mathew Evans try to create artificial light in nineteenth century Toronto while a certain "Wizard of Menlo Park", Thomas

Edison watches on from afar. Although played for laughs, LIGHT COMEDY has a lot to say about the history of commerce, intellectual property, and Canadian/American relations.

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

The “Changing Times” Ball: Dance from 1900-1914      

Saturday August 2nd & Sunday, August 3rd

This year’s special theme is “Changing Times”, focusing on the dances and music from 1900 to 1914…the period immediately after the Victorian era and leading up to World War I.

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 16th and Sunday, August 17th

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

“FALL” FOR THE VILLAGE

Doors Open/Culture Days London – Saturday, September 27^th and Sunday, September 28^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.

Fanshawe 1812: The Invasion of Upper Canada
Saturday, October 4^th and Sunday, October 5^th

Dispatch received from the 1st (Royal Scots) Regiment, Grenadier Company: “Citizens…His Majesty’s crown forces will make an aggressive attempt to reclaim the territories of Western Upper Canada. It is our intention to garrison our forces at the Village of Fanshawe and choose this ground to halt the advance of the American forces. Beware of spies in your midst.” Which side will you support? Experience the life and battles of a soldier in 1812 at this premier regional event.

Thanksgiving At the Village - Monday, October 13th

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 17^th and Sunday, October 19^th

Thursday, October 23^rd – Sunday, October 26^th,

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

Frankenstein in Upper Canada.  A Play by Jason Rip

After the nameless Monster has destroyed his family and his happiness, Victor Frankenstein pursues his creation North, traversing London township on the way. A bout of illness keeps both scientist and experiment in one place for a time. A missing chapter from Mary Shelley's ground-breaking and terrifying novel!

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.

CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLAGE

A Visit with St. Nicholas - Saturday and Sunday, December 6 – 7 and December 13 – 14

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 28 and Saturday November 29, Friday December 6^th and Saturday December 7^th, Friday December 12^th and Saturday, December 13^th

An Upper Canada Christmas.  A Play by Jason Rip. 

Colonel Thomas Talbot may be the most powerful man in his 35,000 acre “principality” along the shore of Lake Erie in early 19th century Upper Canada, but he is not known as a kind man. Discover for yourself if a parade of tranquility-shattering phantoms can change his ultimate fate. 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.

    Fanshawe Pioneer Village                                       FPVMuseum

2609 Fanshawe Park Road East

London, ON  N5X 4A1

519-457-1296