Tour of the Bell Homestead, Brantford, Page 3
Continuation of an article from CTGA of Toronto Newsletter:
Alec’s mother was deaf, and when he spoke to her,
he placed his lips on her forehead and the vibration of the sound waves
enabled her to understand what he was saying. In this room we saw Eliza’s
ear trumpet, which she used to communicate with other people, and one of her
paintings.
A drawing room and dining room for both formal and
everyday use was added at the back. In this room is the only piece of
furniture brought by the family from Scotland, a beautiful wooden table with
an inlaid marble top. The room also has its original black horsehair suite,
and on display is the silver tea service which was a wedding present from
Alec’s parents, and some of the plain white china which Mabel bought on a
visit to France, because Alec refused to eat off plates which had patterns
on them.
The fire-screen and a picture made of cord appliqué
hanging in this room were both made by Eliza, who was an accomplished artist
and needlewoman.
A second room was added at the back of the house
for Alec to use as a bedroom and study, and a conservatory for Melville was
built at the side of the house.
In the kitchen is the original cast iron stove,
beautifully preserved and polished, displaying the date 1880 and a typical
Victorian motto “Happy Thoughts.” The stove, which could burn coal or wood,
has a water reservoir and a warming closet, used not only to keep plates
warm for dinner, but also as an incubator for newborn babies or farm
animals.
Next door to the kitchen is the scullery and the pantry, as well as a
trapdoor leading to a root cellar.
Bell was only 29 when he invented the telephone. After a holiday visit, he
fell in love with Cape Breton Island because it reminded him of his beloved
Scottish Highlands, and he bought a property in Baddeck, where he continued
his scientific investigations and experiments. He was the first to develop
the idea of boats riding on a cushion of air, which led to the hovercraft;
and he registered the 1st patent for ailerons, the wing flaps on aeroplanes.
Also, the first manned flight in the British Commonwealth was made under
Bell’s direction on Bras D’or Lake in Baddeck.
In 1917 Bell visited the farm for the last time.
He died in 1922 at his home in Baddeck and is buried beside wife. The house
is still occupied by his descendants and is not open to the public, but
there is a Bell museum in Baddeck which is also a National Historic Site, in
which his life and work are documented.
The cast iron stove in the kitchen with its water reservoir on the side and warming closet above.
Henderson House which housed Brantford’s original telephone exchange is now on the Bell Homestead property. Inside are displays of early telephone equipment.