News Archive

December 17, 2015

Even More Christmas Events Recap

Former guests at the dinner and several new to the event expressed their pleasure with the event and the ambiance. The unique Christmas gifts available for purchase were also much appreciated.

The Mansion continues to be open to the public on Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until it closes for January, February and March apart from rentals and special events.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pictured is Carol Fillmore of Port Dover who returned to Cottonwood after an absence of a few years to provide dinner music and a Christmas Carol Sing-along at the heritage site's third major event of the Holiday Season on Sunday, December 13th.

The winner of our Christmas Bucket draw was Marjorie Hartwick (left) shown with President Barbara Held (right).

Volunteer, Jim Armstrong, staff member, Cindy Stewart-Held and our President Barbara Held serving dessert in the kitchen.

December 11, 2015

Christmas Events Recap So Far

The November 28th and December 5th Open Houses at Cottonwood Mansion Museum were a banner day for the Foundation! The unique items for sale on both days brought oohs and aahs as did the Christmas decor. Lunch and baked goods for sale at the December 5th event were so popular that both Christmas open houses in 2016 will feature them.

The December 5th event was a special hallmark for the Mansion when descendants of both the original Hubers who settled Selkirk and beyond in 1790 and descendants of the Holmes Family came to visit. One member of the first group wept for joy at seeing the trunk in the Ballroom that belonged to the original settlers. She had only seen it in photographs until this visit.

Six-year-old Sadee Kelly in Victorian hoop skirt and period cape, muff, and bonnet was a special added attraction on the 5th. She is currently Cottonwood's youngest volunteer and brightens every event in which she participates with her smile and enthusiasm.

After a traditional Country Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 13th, the Mansion will close for the winter apart from rentals and three special events. For information on these see the Coming Events on the website. The Mansion reopens to the public on April 2, 2016. During the interim all emails and phone messages will be checked regularly and will be answered as soon as possible.

(l-r) Richard Morris, and Sue Morris, of Kelowna, BC., Mary Weiler, of Burgessville, ON., and Sandra Buck, of Woodstock,ON., Visitors to Cottonwood Mansion on Saturday, December 5th, included Sue and Richard Morris of Kelowna, BC., who happened to be in Ontario sharing Holiday time with family and friends. Sue Morris is the Great Granddaughter of William Holmes.

Six-year-old Sadee Kelly in Victorian hoop skirt and period cape, muff, and bonnet was a special added attraction on the 5th.

Barbara Held, President of Cottonwood Mansion with the delicious variety of baked goods for sale on December 5th.

November 26, 2015

Three Events Celebrating Christmas at Selkirk Heritage Site

Cottonwood Mansion Museum in Selkirk is offering three special Christmas events this year. Decorated in traditional Victorian style, the first event is an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, November 28th. Admission is free and a wide variety of special gifts and crafts for Christmas and other occasions will be on sale. Some collectors' dolls with their provenance will be available at very low cost. Self-guided tours of the Mansion are also available. A duo from the Cottonwood Brass Quintet will play in the afternoon.

A second open house with free admission is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, December 5th. In addition to items remaining from the previous week, this one will include a variety of baked goods for sale.

On Sunday, December 13th, beginning at 12:30 p.m., President Barbara Held is hosting a traditional Country Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings. It will be catered by Julia's Bistro. Pianist Carol Fillmore, well known to many at Cottonwood and beyond and now residing in Port Dover, returns to the Mansion for dinner music and carol singing after the dinner. There are several surprises in store for guests. The dinner is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children twelve and under. Reservations are required on or before December 10th by calling 905-776-2538 or emailing [email protected].

Visitors to Cottonwood for any of its Christmas events would also enjoy visiting nearby Selkirk for its outstanding Christmas decorations.

Pictured are Barbara Held, President of the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation; Father Christmas; and Administrative Assistant, Cindy Stewart-Held, in the Sitter Music Room, decorating for the holiday season.

September 19 , 2015

Doors Open Haldimand County

Visitors from as far away as India and the Philippines enjoyed Cottonwood Mansion Museum during Doors Open Haldimand County 2015 on Saturday, September 19th. Clayton Lord Spears and Catherine Lady Stidsen greeted visitors. In the Pettit Parlour, Jay and Richard Hoover told the story of...
Download the entire Doors Open 2015 After Report here.

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Clayton Lord Spears and Catherine Lady Stidsen greeted visitors.

Barbara Held, President of Cottonwood Mansion and Helen Spears a dedicated volunteer offered refreshments in the Mansion's kitchen.

Four of Cottonwood Mansion's volunteers, all with ten years or more of service to the Foundation, celebrated their 80th birthdays in September of 2015. They were all volunteering at Doors Open Haldimand County on September 19th when President Barbara Held surprised them with a birthday cake. The "youngest" got to cut the cake and Richard and Jay Hoover, also volunteering along with several others, confirmed that "Eighty is the new Sixty", while helping to celebrate. Left to right are Joan McNeice, Catherine Stidsen, Marj Featherston, and Doris Held.

Sadee Kelly 6, Amelya Radzick, 10, Claryssa Radzick 12 The girl's, volunteers and all students at Rainham Central School, Fisherville, raised $40.00 selling lemonade and donated to Cottonwood Mansion during the Door's Open event held on September 19, 2015.

Jay and Richard Hoover told the story of their members of the Hoover family and Jay offered suggestions on how to produce the kind of history of a family that he has.

September 9, 2015

Grimsby Historical Society Article on Cottonwood Mansion

The Grimsby Historical Society recently provided an article about Cottonwood Mansion. Click on the image to the right to read the article.

August 20, 2015

Ontario Farmer Interview

If you subscribe to or have access to "Ontario Farmer", don't miss the article on Cottonwood Mansion Museum by June Payne Flath. She was at the Mansion and interviewed Cindy Stewart-Held, Clayton Spears, and Catherine Stidsen to help with the article. We are grateful to her and her publisher for having made this possible.

August 18, 2015

Volunteers needed for Doors Open Haldimand County

Volunteers needed for Doors Open Haldimand County at Cottonwood on September 19th. Please call 905 776 2538 or email [email protected] on or before September 12th if you are able to help in any way.

August 9, 2015

Victorian Concert and Peach Social

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Pictured left to right are Mary Jean Follonsbee and Liz Morelli of Cheapside enjoying the Victorian Band Concert at Cottonwood Mansion.

Gena Kelly and her daughter Sadee getting punch cups ready for guests at the Victorian Brass Band Concert and Peach Social.

Pictured left to right are Greg Hilton, Cottonwood volunteer, Judy Mooney of Hamilton, winner of the in house draw at the Mansion's August 9th Peach Social, and Cindy Stewart-Held, Administrative Assistant at the Mansion.

Dr. Hank playing the music from the Philadelphia Firemen's Cotillion.

Sadee Kelly, Cottonwood's youngest volunteer; Cindy Stewart-Held, Administrative Assistant; Catherine Lady Stidsen, in her Edwardian Garden Party Look, getting Peach Punch ready for guests.

August 8, 2015

Gas Fest On Saturday, August 8th, Cottonwood Mansion Museum will be open to the public from 2 pm to 4 pm only. Prior to that we will be participating in the Gas Fest Parade in Selkirk. Come join us for our very popular Victorian Band Concert and Peach Social beginning at 2 pm on Sunday, August 9th. On Saturday don't miss... Sadee Kelly will have a Lemonade Stand set up on the lawn of Cottonwood Mansion , following the Gas Fest Parade and festivities in Selkirk, on August 8, 2015 from 2 - 4 pm, during open hours. $2.00 per cup, all proceeds go directly to benefit Cottonwood Mansion Museum. See you there!

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Catherine Berry Stidsen in her Scullery Maid Look and President Barbara Held of Cottonwood in her Parlour Maid Look at the Selkirk Gas Fest Parade.

Sadee Kelly had a Lemonade Stand set up on the lawn of Cottonwood Mansion following the Gas Fest Parade and festivities in Selkirk. The price was $2.00 per cup, all proceeds going directly to benefit Cottonwood Mansion Museum.

July 18, 2015

6th Annual Cottonwood Daylily Sale

Mary Ann and David Pearson's annual daylily sale for Cottonwood Mansion was once again an amazing success. This year they added a new hybrid, "Pockets Warhol", to the offerings. It is a second charity for this year's proceeds, connected with the "monkey who paints" who lives at the Story Book Farm north of Toronto. It is the same location were the Ikea monkey found a home.

One Toronto resident traveled to Cottonwood just to purchase the Pockets Warhol daylily. Many others had come to the sale in previous years, with the quality of the offerings bringing them back once again. The Pearsons had 220 pots for sale in all including the three hybrids named for Cottonwood, Laurence G. Hamilton, and Miss Lillie (Lillian Holmes). They also had a collection of giant hosta selling for $5 a pot donated by friends who are renovating their garden and donated the mature plants to the Cottonwood Mansion Museum Sale. The sale raised more than $710 for Cottonwood and $135 for the Sanctuary. Orders received by phone and email are still being picked up so the profits will increase accordingly. Persons still interested in purchasing lilies are invited to call the Pearsons at 905-772-5205. Pictured at right is Mary Ann Pearson with some Pockets Warhol hybrids. Click the picture below to enlarge.

Melody Roberts and Ron Gernat of Toronto, visited Cottonwood Mansion for the first time during the Pearson's Annual Day Lily Sale. Melody's mother was Jocelyn Hoover of Selkirk, which makes her an 8th generation. Her father was James Roberts, whose mother was a Neff, and she recognized the tea set in the dining room, among other items donated by Florence Neff Young.

June 17, 2015

HN Caregivers Tea at Cottonwood Mansion

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Happy guests.

Back row - Julie Coulson, Haldimand Regional Coordinator for the Adult Day Program, Senior Support Services; Gena Kelly (in period costume), Cottonwood Secretary/Treasurer and Volunteer. Front row - Mary Lou Willis, Dorothy Elliott, Caregivers.

Helpful staff.

Julie Marchese, board member; Barbara Held, President; Catherine Stidsen, media and public relations and volunteer; Gena Kelly, Secretary/Treasurer.

Mary Ann and David Pearson, Cottonwood members, volunteers, and members of the Cottonwood Brass Quartet.

July 25, 2015

The Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation is seeking estimates on repairing the flashing and replacing the roof on the Mansion part of Cottonwood. To make an appointment to provide an estimate please call Cindy Stewart-Held at 905-776-2538 or email [email protected]. Estimates are needed by August 15th at the latest.

June 26, 2015

The trustees of the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Stewart-Held to the position of Administrative Assistant at Cottonwood Mansion Museum, beginning July 1, 2015. Cindy lives in Fisherville and knows the operation of the Mansion very well from volunteering at it and attending many special events over the years with her husband, Mike Held. Mike's family have been major supporters of the Mansion since shortly after the restoration of it began some twenty-five years ago. Cindy brings a background in management and sales to the work along with computer and graphics expertise. She will be at Cottonwood Mansion Museum from 1-3 p.m. on Canada Day to welcome visitors. She will be the hostess when the Mansion is open to the public and is available for rental, touring and other information at 905-776-2538 or at [email protected].

Cindy Stewart-Held Click to enlarge.

June 10, 2015

Selkirk Bakery Display

A display of artifacts from the Selkirk Bakery which was opened in the mid 1800s, opened at Cottonwood Mansion Museum on Wednesday, June 10th, courtesy of area resident William H. Lindsay. The exhibit is on display until Friday, September 18th, and will be followed by materials connected to croquet and other sports in the Victorian Era. See our events for more details.