Brantford Ontario - Bell Homestead National Historic Site
Arguably Brantford Ontario most noteworthy accomplishment is the invention of the Telephone. This brilliant invention by Alexander Graham Bell would go on to influence and change world communication. Due to the impact that this invention has had on the world wide it would be a shame to visit Brantford and not visit the historic site where the telephone was invented.
This sturdy homestead was the site of one of the most important scientific breakthroughs in history. On July, 26 1874 the young Alexander Graham Bell sat in the spot that he called his dreaming place and envisioned a telegraph that could speak. As he starred down at the Grand River that warm summer day for inspiration he began to grasped the principle on which his most famous invention, the telephone would work. It was two years later that he mounted one of the three crucial public demonstrations that proved the telephone was a practical form of communication. Bell’s invention would reshape how the world would communicate.
These momentous events created such effect for his mid Victorian farm that in1909 the Bell Telephone Memorial Association purchased the property and awarded it to the Brantford Board of Park Management to be used as a public park land memorial of the invention of the telephone in Brantford. In 1910 the Bell Homestead opened its door to the public for the first for public tours.
For over a century now the Bell Homestead has welcomed visitors from far and wide. As one of the Ontario’s oldest history home museums, it has grown scientifically with three restored historic buildings and an electric collection or original Bell family artifacts. Together they tell the story of how a young teacher of the deaf came to invent the telephone. They make it known that the mission statement of the Bell Homestead is to inspire and discover learning through the influential lives of the Bell family who are responsible to the Brantford’s distinction as the “Telephone City”.
As a learning centre, the Bell Homestead also offers educational programs for children. There are educational day camps for either half or full day. These programs allow children to investigate various social and technological themes and better relate to Alexander Graham Bell and his family and the late 19th century. Involvement through hands on activities is encouraged in every program. All programs are designed to help teachers meet the expectations outlined in the Ontario Curriculum.. When visiting the Homestead you will see Canada’s first telephone business office, now known as the Henderson House. The fees are very reasonable as they want all children to be able to benefit from this wonderful learning experience. Half day programs are only $5.00 per student and full day programs are $10.00 . Teachers and chapparones are admitted free of charge and there must be one chapparone for every 8 students. Some of the upcoming educational programs include: Catch a Falling Star, Warm and Cozy and Rhymin’ Time.
It is a wonderful experience for both children and adults to visit the Bell Homestead and learn about the first North American residence of Alexander Graham Bell and his parents following their emigration from Scotland in 1870. It was here on July 26, 1874 that the realm of communications was changed forever with the invention of the telephone.