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The Homewood collection

"The collections at Homewood were made possible through the generosity of many sources, including: Parks Canada, Jennifer Jones Inderwick, Monica Jones, Earl Connell (who provided the financial resources to purchase Jones artifacts at a public auction), and Richard Dumbrille."

By

Ontario Heritage Trust

Buildings and architecture, Cultural objects

Published Date:19 May 2005

Photo: Homewood Museum in Maitland

As you drive east along Highway 2 between Brockville and Prescott, you will find the robust Georgian Homewood Museum deeply set back from the road. One of the oldest houses in Ontario, Homewood was built in 1799-1800 by Dr. Solomon Jones – a Loyalist who came to Augusta Township with his young family c. 1784. He was the area’s first physician and the second member from Leeds County to be elected to the Parliament of Upper Canada (1796-1800).

Six successive generations of the Jones family lived on the property until 1951. This large two-storey stone house – donated to the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 1974 and restored with the help of Invista Canada (formerly DuPont Canada) and the Canadian Parks Service – reflects the aspirations and accomplishments of the Jones family.

Their story is best illuminated by the fascinating collection of artifacts on display in the house. Many are original and have been passed from generation to generation, thus leaving a valuable historic resource of personal letters, books, diaries, receipts, medical records and equipment, furniture, china, silverware, clothing, photographs, agricultural tools and housewares spanning the 18th and 19th centuries.

Some of the Homewood treasures include:

Victorian hair wreath

Hanging against the south wall of the sitting room is an intriguing hair wreath. It was crafted by Lucia Jones on Ash Wednesday 1883 and contains the hair of Jones family members, each piece carefully labeled. Attached to the back of the shadow box is a handwritten note that states: “Lucia Jones Ash Wednesday 1883.” Also attached to the back of the box is a small package that reads, “The hair of Lucia Jones.”

Hair wreaths can represent a memorial to a deceased family member or a keepsake. Hair is arranged into small groupings of between 10 to 80 hairs, twisted around a knitting needle and then bound by fine intertwined wires. The hair is wound into flower and leaf shapes and floral sprig groupings.

Mahogany grandfather clock

The personal taste of the Jones family can be seen in this 18th-century slim waisted grandfather clock with satinwood inlay – believed to have been brought by Mary Tunnicliffe, wife of Solomon Jones, from New York.

Photographs

A photograph of Andrew Jones, son of Dunham Jones. Notation on back board, “A wonderful and best of men and one for the family to be proud of!!"

Dinner service

This deep, rich cobalt blue dinner service set – with central motif of historical views of different places in London and with a border of trees, foliage, rocks and flowers on all dishes – was manufactured by Adams in Staffordshire, England and dates from 1820-35. The set was purchased by Dunham Jones in the 1830s.

Commode

Cherry and pine bed steps/commode, c. 1840, used to climb on to the bed, but which also served as a commode. The centre section pulls out, and the lid reveals the commode.