Holding pattern continues at Backus pioneer village

Article content

The pioneer village at the Backus Heritage Conservation Area is normally a beehive of activity this time of year.

Something special is usually on offer most every weekend during the summer. However – as happened in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic – programming at the Heritage Village remains in a holding pattern and will stay that way at least until next spring.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Holding pattern continues at Backus pioneer village Back to video

“It’s been tough,” curator Helen Barton said. “It’s been difficult not having buildings open to visitors and not being able to have events. But definitely, we have not been dormant.”

The pioneer village remains open to visitors provided they social distance and remain outdoors. Visitors are encouraged to take self-guided walking tours of the grounds. At some of the 15 buildings on site, doors and windows are open so visitors can peer inside to the historic machinery, artifacts and interiors they house.

But, as was the case last year, there will be no War of 1812 re-enactment this September and no bluegrass weekend. The latter is a private event that attracts many campers and musicians from the United States.

Barton said the closing of the Canada-U.S. border to non-essential travel has complicated the music festival, prompting its cancellation for a second year running.

In keeping with the need to avoid large gatherings indoors and the need for social distancing, Barton and company have added a new feature this year, one involving the planting of 150 pounds of sunflower seed. They recently carved pathways through the field to create a sunflower maze. The field recently flowered into a dazzling display of yellow that is alive with honeybees, butterflies and other pollinators.

With 160 sites, the Backus Heritage Conservation Area has remained a popular destination for campers through the pandemic. Along with the Heritage Village, major attractions include a stocked mill pond for anglers and the Backhouse Grist Mill National Historic Site.

The mill, which was built in 1798, is one of the few along the north shore of Lake Erie to escape destruction during an invasion by American troops in 1814. The mill still operates and – in normal times – provides visitors with an occasional demonstration of how Norfolk County’s pioneer families processed grain for their daily bread.

“We have our fingers crossed that things will be back to normal next year,” Barton said.