Celebrate the holiday season at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site

Homestead decorated for a Victorian Christmas

BRANTFORD, ON – Share in the spirit of the holiday season at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site (NHS) with the annual Holiday Bake Sale, Christmas Candlelight Celebration and Holiday Tours. New this year, tickets will be available to enjoy a traditional Christmas turkey dinner at The Exchange Café. Proceeds collected will be used towards future Bell Homestead community events.

“We look forward to having families visit the Bell Homestead while it’s decorated for the Christmas season and sharing with visitors the rich history of the Bell Family and how they celebrated the holiday season 150 years ago,” says Brian Wood, Curator, Bell Homestead NHS. “We are also very grateful to the volunteers who spend hours in our café kitchen baking up goodies for the popular Bake Sale.”

The Holiday Bake Sale will take place on Saturday, November 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To purchase baked goods, you must pre-order in advance. Walk-in pick-ups will not be available. Delicious homemade cookies are only $10 per dozen, and yummy squares, tarts and biscuits cost $10 for a half a dozen. Pre-ordered goodies must be picked up at the Bell Homestead Museum Store on Saturday, November 25 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. A full list of treats, and information on how to place orders is available at www.bellhomestead.ca.

Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the Bell’s home and the Henderson home decorated in Victorian style with the soft glow of candles and oil lamps at the Candlelight Christmas Celebration. Four one-hour tours are available on Saturday December 2, 9 and 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy seasonal music in the drawing room, treats in Eliza Bell’s kitchen and children can take part in a Christmas scavenger hunt. Admission is by donation and pre-registration is required. Limited spots are available as tours are booked for a maximum of eight guests per tour.

On Saturday, December 2, a traditional Christmas turkey dinner will be served by The Exchange Café for $55 per person. Reservations are required in advance. Time slots begin at 5:15 pm.

One-hour pre-booked Holiday Tours of Bell’s home and the Henderson home decorated for the holiday season are also available during the day Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are booked for a maximum of eight guests per tour.

To book a tour for the Candlelight Christmas Celebration and Holiday Tours, and to make reservations for the turkey dinner at the café, you can email bellhomestead@brantford.ca or give them a call at 519-756-6220.

The Phone Booth Museum Store will be open for all events to purchase a last-minute souvenir or gift.

Detailed information about Bell Homestead and special events can be found at www.bellhomestead.ca. You can also join the conversation on the Bell Homestead National Historic Site group Facebook page.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-757-2840 | ssayles@brantford.ca