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P7687

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ID Number: P7687
Item Name: image
Title: Official opening, Hiram Walker Historical Museum / Ouverture officielle, musée historique Hiram Walker
Title (Fre): Ouverture officielle, musée historique Hiram Walker
Date: 1958/05/07
Description: View of the Francois Baby House, looking north, with Detroit in the background; this image shows opening day celebrations for the Hiram Walker Historical Museum [now Windsor's Community Museum]; dignitaries and employees stand directly in front of the house, and an honour guard of soldiers of the Essex Scottish and Boy scouts line the fence; a large crowd of spectators are seated on a blocked portion of Pitt St. W., while a cadet military band stands at the sidelines.
History: The original structure of the house was built in 1812 by Francis (Francois) Baby, a member of a prominent French-era family that forged strong ties with the British after the French & Indian War. By the advent of the 19th century, the family was closely tied with the ruling elite of the British colonies, and had huge commercial, mercantile and trading interests. Francois Baby was a successful businessman, politician and militia officer, whose home was not even completed before the outbreak of the War of 1812. In succession, it served as headquarters of the U.S. Army of the Northwest under Gov. Brig. Gen. Hull, when he invaded in July 12, 1812. After his quick withdrawal to American soil, it served as temporary headquarters to the Right Division of the British Army under Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock. During Rebellion of 1837-1838, the orchard on Baby's property was the stage for the Battle of Windsor (Dec. 1838). The house has changed in appearance many times over the years, starting from an elegant three-storey brick Georgian home in 1812 to a reduced stucco exterior, two-storey state after a major fire in 1851. In the late 19th century, it was converted to a duplex, and in the early 20th century served as a residence and Doctor's office which sold Monroe Gold Cure, a treatment for narcotic addicts and alcoholics. The house was abandoned and derelict through the 1930's and 1940's. After its forgotten past had been rediscovered, it was saved by successful fundraising and petitioning by area residents to have the building converted to an historical museum. When restoration plans were being made, it was erroneously decided that the two-storey phase was how it would have appeared in 1812. The Museum's exterior more closely mirrors its mid-19th century incarnation.
Place made: Canada - Ontario - Windsor
Collection Name: Museum Windsor