History

The main part of the Home was first constructed in 1808 by John Lee, son of a British ex-serviceman. James Lee and his family immigrated to Saltfleet Township (later known as Stoney Creek) in the 1790s as Loyalists fleeing the aftermath of the American Revolution. His son, John, built the first log cabin home on a plot of land from his wife Mary Moore.

The Lee Home, later known as Edgemont Farm, was added to by Abram Lee, the eldest son of John Lee and inheritor of the family holdings in 1873. Erland Lee inherited the farm from his father. Erland and his wife Janet lived in the home after their marriage in 1890. Six generations of the Lee family lived in the house from 1808 until 1972.

Both Erland and Janet Lee were instrumental in the founding of the Women's Institute organization in 1897. A broad-minded and liberal farmer, Erland Lee invited Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless to speak in Stoney Creek in February 1897 on the need to create an educational society for poorly-educated rural women. From that initial speech, the founding of the new organization took shape under the auspices of the Lees. The focal point of the Home is the dining room where the Constitution and By-Laws of the first Women s Institute in the world were hand-penned by Janet Lee on February 19, 1897.

In addition to hosting the first planning meeting, Erland Lee, as Treasurer of the prestigious Farmer's Institutes, successfully lobbied the government for similar financial and political support for this new Women's group. Because of his role in the founding of the first Women's Institute, Erland Lee is credited by the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) with co-founding with Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless the first Women's Institute in the world.

Education Programs

Looking for something different for your school class or youth group? Plan to visit the Erland Lee Museum Home, a country heritage setting located in the city! The Erland Lee Museum offers 1.5 and 3 hour education programs featuring the following topics:

• Stoney Creek History from 1780 to the present
  All participants are given an opportunity to visit the Stoney Creek history display area. There, students will meet the Lee family and discover their role in the development of the local area.
  

• Pioneer Life on a Stoney Creek Dairy Farm (c. 1860)
  Children will handle farming tools from the nineteenth century, learning about the Lee family farm and the Saltfleet Township farming industry.
  

• The Changing Society of Ontario (c. 1900)
  

• Women's Empowerment (c. 1897)
  Older students will be able to work in the Museum's archives, learning about the rise of the Women's Institutes and some behind-the-scenes working of a museum and archives.

*These education programs are aimed at the youth of the Greater Hamilton area.

Education Program - Content

- 3 Hour Program Outline

- 1.5 Hour Program

A 1.5 Hour Program excludes the introduction and the hands-on exercise at the beginning. Sessions are slightly shorter. Hands-on artifacts are still included in the program while touring inside the main building.

Education Program - Supplemental Materials

• The museum is pleased to offer youth supervisors topics and/or additional materials for pre/post visit projects. Class study ideas on family history, technological advances, women's empowerment and recycling can be provided.

• Groups wishing an introductory slide show, video or poster board display can be accommodated if booked in advance.
  
• Don't Forget: Our Stoney Creek exhibition area and is mobile. You can bring Stoney Creek's history to your facility. Although it is not as fulfilling as a visit to Stoney Creek's our Museum, this option does give students a foundation in local history.

Education Program - Features

A tour of the Erland Lee Museum includes a number of hands-on artifacts. We firmly believe that children will retain information best if they are given a chance to handle history, rather than be lectured on it. Selected artifacts are passed around during programs.

While all programs include a recess for the students to play on the lawns and grounds of the Museum, the 3-hour program includes structured outdoor activity options, such as a scavenger hunt, a Victorian wide game or for smaller grounds, a game of croquet seasonal).

All programs include a craft option. The Erland Lee Museum offers a variety of crafting exercises which can be tailored to meet the age and needs of your group. Popular choices include making a tin-can lantern, creating a Victorian calling card using an ink quill, corking, creating a thaumatrope and quilting. We can also do butter making and, in the warm months, ice cream making. Please note that there is an additional small surcharge for the ice cream making due to the high cost of ingredients.

Throughout the year, the Museum offers a variety of seasonal craft and tour themes, such as Heritage Day, Victoria Day, Halloween, Remembrance Day and Christmas.

The Erland Lee Museum has no ropes or barriers. We are an open concept Museum and take pride in our hands-on programs. We expect that youth can be trusted under minimal supervision and to act in a responsible way if given proper instruction. Adult supervisors visiting with youth groups are expected to maintain certain minimal levels of discipline.

Education Program - Ages/Grades

School Grades 1 through 4	Pioneer Life Program
School Grades 5 through 9	Changing Society of Ontario Program
Sparks, Brownies and Guides Badge Program 4-H Club Program Cubs, Scouts and Beavers Program

Education Program - Availability

A limited number of evening bookings per week are available. Please ask for more information when booking.

Education Program - Fees

• The base price per student for an Education Program at the Erland Lee Museum is $3 per child. This fee includes the cost of all craft materials and other incidentals.

• Groups booking during regular business hours have the option to do a basic tour without accompanying craft-making or activities and children will only be charged $1.00 each.

• The $3.00 fee also applies if the museum is making a special opening for the group (e.g.- evenings), regardless of whether the program is just a basic tour or not.

• The museum traditionally does not charge the first two registered adult supervisors visiting with education programs. Assisting parents or adults in excess of two in number should expect to pay regular admission ($3.00).

Education Program - General Information

• Looking for a reference? Ask us and we'll put you in touch with other schools or youth groups in the area who have already visited the Erland Lee Museum.

• Please note that the Erland Lee Museum is not a peanut-free building. Please take any necessary precautions when visiting.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers are the life blood of the Erland Lee Museum. We are always looking for help in the following areas:

• cataloguing donated artifacts
• assisting with our school and youth programs
• helping in the gift shop during bus tours
• hosting in the Museum and talking with visitors
• researching the history of Stoney Creek, the Lee family, and the Women's Institute

Got another idea for what you can do to help? Let us know!

Please Note: The Erland Lee Museum welcomes High School Co-op Student placements, as well as internships or other mentoring programs.