By Cecilia Nasmith
The Grafton Greenthumbs invite you to celebrate 200 years of House and Garden on National Garden Day with a special event at Barnum House on June 18.
It's a free event that runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the beautiful neoclassical home built by entrepreneur Eliakim Barnum in 1820. Activities are planned for the children, and the Greenthumbs will be offering free native plants for the gardeners in attendance.
The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario East Northumberland branch's Barnum House Committee will be on hand to host a Strawberry Tea from 1 to 4 p.m. (adults $10, children $5).
And Barnum House will come in for its share of attention over the course of the afternoon, as Rob Mikel, Tony Jenkins and Des Conacher offer tours of the house on the half-hour, starting at 1 p.m.
Though not open to the public much in recent years, Barnum House was the first house museum to open in Ontario, restored and operated by the ACO in 1940. Designated a National Historic Site in 1959, it is currently owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust.
And every room has a story behind it, which your guides will be happy to share.
Barnum House is located at 10568 County Rd. 2, just west of Grafton, and everyone is welcome.
