Homewood Museum

http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/Eng/heritage/built-homewood.shtml

Augusta has a unique museum complex on Heritage Highway No.2 the homestead established by Dr. Solomon Jones, who was granted this holding, and other lands, when he came with his three brothers and Jessup's Rangers to settle. Born in 1756 in Connecticut, he moved with his family to Fort Edward, New York, very early in life. He began medical training at Albany, and during the American Revolution, served as Surgeon's mate in Jessup's Corps, and, it is thought, completed his medical training in Montreal during that time. At the end of hostilities, he took up land as a loyalist in Augusta township, bringing his wife and mother to live in a simple log dwelling on the bank of the St. Lawrence River, CI, L22. For some 15 years from this home, he and his family endured the typical hardships of loyalist pioneer life, as he developed his farm, his professional and political careers. By 1799, he was ready to build a more substantial home, and in 1800 the stately  Georgian style mansion on the rising from the river, was constructed by a Montreal contractor, Louis Briere.    

Mary Tunnicliffe Jones, wife of Dr. Solomon Jones, was another pioneer wife who faced life far different than that to which she had been accustomed in the Colonies.  For 15 years, she lived an a log cabin by the river, raising a family of four sons and three daughters, whilst her husband was busy with his medical practice, his political appointments, his farming activities on large acreage, and a social life that saw their home the centre of many festive and business occasions.  There was the building of the fine stone house at Homewood, which involved feeding the work crews working on the house, and entertaining quests and relatives who flocked to the family homestead.  What a busy lady she must have been!

As a note of interest, Solomon's brother David, while stationed at Ticonderoga in 1777, arranged to have his fiancee, Jane McCrae, guided to him through the countryside by a native Indian.  Growing nervous and discontent with the length of time this was taking, he sent another Indian guide who found them on a forest path.  The two Indians came to blows over Jane and settled the dispute by scalping her.  David Jones was never known to smile again.

Dr. Solomon Jones enjoyed numerous political appointments during his time.  In 1800, he was appointed Judge of the District Court for the District of Johnstown.

Throughout this time, his major interest was in building a substantial landed estate which could be handed on to his descendants.  He became the father of 3 daughters - Ann, Mary and Maria, and 4 sons, Jonathan, Dunham, Solomon and William Tunicliffe. As he would have wished, the estate came down through the generations - first to his son, Dunham, who served as Master 1822-1876; then to his son, Andrew, 1876-1905; Harold, 1906-1941; and finally to Justus, 1941-1972.  Since Justus had no male heirs, and his two daughters chose to follow their own careers elsewhere, the land was sold to DuPont of Canada to enlarge their Maitland Works operations, with lifetime tenancy for Mr. Jones.  At his demise in 1972, DuPont came into full possession, with the intent of demolishing the historic property. 

This stirred the interest of citizens who felt that Homewood was an important part of the area history. The preservation of Homewood then became the focal point for the work of Grenville County Historical Society, an organization which encourages interest in and recognition of the county's heritage.  In the Fall of 1973, the Society brought together representatives of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Parks Canada and DuPont Canada, to discuss ways to preserve this heritage property.  These negotiations produced DuPont's announcement in 1976 that the house and 11 1/2 acres of land around it would be given to the Ontario Heritage Foundation. Throughout the winter of 1976, the Foundation produced a restoration plan and began structural repairs and restoration work on the home. This was carried out by contractor Doug Snelling, and continued for some 4 years. In 1977, GCHS proposed to the OHF that Homewood's main floor be developed as a museum to commemorate Dr. Solomon Jones, his work and his family, and that the second floor be granted GCHS for its headquarters, a home for a growing archival resource centre.

The museum opened August 21, 1982, with suitable ceremonies. Miss Monica Jones, sister to Justus, cut the ribbon at the front door to signify that it was officially opened. Platform guests were John White, Chairman OHF; Duncan Cays, Works Manager, DuPont of Canada; James Christokos, Director of the Ontario Region, Parks Canada; Edwin Coons, Augusta Township councillor; Hon. Norman Sterling, MPP for Carleton-Grenville; Hon. Bruce McCaffrey, Minister of Citizenship and Culture. Society president, Mrs. Goldie A. Connell, was MC for the proceedings, and accepted a period flag in the name of the Society. Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment from Fort Wellington provided the military salute.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation owns Homewood.  Special tours only, arranged by appointment, call 416.325.5000.