Tour of the Bell Homestead, Brantford, Page 2
Continuation of an
article from CTGA of Toronto Newsletter:
On August 3rd, 1876, human speech was transmitted
from Brantford to Mt. Pleasant, a village 5 miles away, over 3 ½ miles of
wires strung on neighbouring fences.
One week later, on August 10th, Bell made the first
long distance call, from Brantford to Paris, 7 miles away; although, because
they had to use existing wires, the transmission had to be routed through
Toronto, which meant the sounds actually travelled a distance of 68 miles.
While teaching in Boston, Alec declined a request
to teach a young girl named Mabel, who had become deaf at the age of five
after contracting scarlet fever. Mabel’s father, Gardner Hubbard was
wealthy, influential and determined. He was also very progressive in his
views on teaching the deaf, and liked what he had heard about the young
teacher, Alec Bell. After much persuasion, Alec agreed to teach Mabel. She
was highly intelligent, spoke eight languages and had addressed the American
Congress at the age of 10. He fell in love with her although she was only 17
and he was 10 years older. She initially rejected him and when she changed
her mind, they had to overcome her parent’s opposition. They were ideally
suited and their marriage was long and happy. They spent their month-long
honeymoon on the farm in Brantford, and then returned to Boston to live.
They had two sons who died in infancy, and two daughters.
Gardner Hubbard became founder and first president
of the National Geographic Society, and Bell’s son- in-law later also became
president.
After the talk, Brian gave us a tour of the house.
A picture hanging in the front hall next to the front door has been painted
in the tromp l’oeil style so that the glass appears to be cracked. Alec was
very fond of playing practical jokes, and would accuse a guest who had just
entered the house of breaking it.
Leading off the front hall is the front room, which was usually used in
Victorian times only for special occasions. In 1875 alterations were made to
the house. The front room was converted into a study and library for
Melville to work in. Bookshelves, a desk and a bay window for more light
were added. The fireplace is the original.
In 1881 Alec’s parents sold the farm and moved to
America to be near him. All the furniture was sold at auction, but later,
90% of it was recovered and is now on display in the house. In the front
room is the grand piano which was converted by the new owners into a table.
Later owners demolished the wall separating the
front room from a smaller room behind it, which was used by Mrs. Bell as a
woman’s room during the day and a family room at night. In the smaller room
is a melodeon, a musical instrument similar to a pump organ, which both Alec
and his mother would have played. Eliza taught her sons to play the piano,
and Alec was good enough to have been a concert pianist.
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