The Sinclair House now sits on the Innisfail Historical Village museum site, overlooking the length of the grounds.
It has a new roof, a combination of old and new siding, and a fresh coat of paint. New frames are going to be constructed for the original windows and doors. The interior has been stripped back to the log walls. If only those logs could talk!
All of this has been accomplished through the generosity of local businesses, individuals and volunteers, in particular the late John Thomson and his family. The work has been overseen by Tom Hunter, our general contractor. The house for the time being is safe from the elements, and in time with newly acquired funds will be completed.
We are very fortunate to have the detailed accounts of William Sinclair, the grandson of David and Isabella Sinclair. He and his sister Isobel visited their grandparents during the summer months. William describes the layout and function of the farm. He describes grandma's garden, the kitchen and parlour. He writes of the aspects of their Scottish heritage, the importance of their faith, being frugal and a book of poems by Robbie Burns, among the books in the glass-doored cabinet. His accounts of life on the Sinclair farm have provided us with great insight into the day-to-day life of these early settlers.
With this wonderful wealth of information, we lacked one important thing: furnishings!
Not to worry, donations began to arrive. A dining room table, a setee for the parlour, quilts, a clock, a wooden washing machine, dishes, and a wonderful wide armed chair where David Sinclair could have rested his arthritic bones beside the fire. The setee, or sofa, was manufactured in 1880, in a small Ontario town less than 30 minutes from where Isabella’s parents had first moved to after leaving Scotland and prior to moving west.
Once the interior of the house has been completed, it will be our great pleasure to fill the rooms with these treasures. It will then be the Innisfail and District Historical Society’s honour to open the doors and welcome you in!
Numerous people made these donations, so is this merely a coincidence? Is it possible that the Sinclairs are busy feathering their nest?
By the way, we are still in need of an old edition of Robbie Burns' poetry.
Thank you for your continued support.
Anna Lenters is the curator and board president of the Innisfail and District Historical Society.
