• November 28, 2019
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• RE Report S2l4/2019
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• Please allow us to comment on report Item 8.3 with regard to the Duff-Baby Mansion at 221 Mill St.
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• Les Amis Duff-Baby is a group of volunteers established in the early 1990's dedicated to providing information, tours and promotion of the Duff- Baby site and building. The recently vacated offices on the first floor of the Mansion present the City with an ideal opportunity to update the existing licence agreement with the Ontario Heritage Trust for municipal use and public benefit. We fully support Option 1: to lease the first floor of the Duff-Baby Mansion. Ideally, we would request staffing to be about 20 days per year; this is a mid-point between the 1 day per week and 1 day per month staffing levels suggested.
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• The report already recognizes this building , " as one of the mos/ significant late eighteenth centwy landmarks in Upper Canada " and further that the house , " is a significant heritage resource at a provincial level. It has played a long and important role in the development of Sandwich Town and continues to draw attention from those seeking to learn more about our history." Unfortunately, however, the public has limited public access to this historic gem. Each time we offer tours, approximately 90% of visitors state they have never been in the building . Indeed , in the Spring, we submitted to Council a petition of over 500 signatures of visitors encouraging the City to seek an arrangement with the OHT for greater public access to the Mansion. Option 1 permits precisely that, and allows us to tell the story of Sandw ic h - one of fur trading, both English and French settlement, interactions with Indigenous Peoples, the War of 1812, the Underground Railway and so much more .
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• Les Amis DutI-Baby has a demonstrated track record of working with various community groups to promote the Mansion and Sandwich. We look forward to initiatives such as the Gordie Howe Bridge Community Benefits Grants to assist in enhancing our joint endeavours.
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• The City has recently chosen 14 stories that will adorn the arch of arrival to Sandwich just past the BrockTecumseh Monument. The arch, of course, will include the Duff- Baby Mansion because the City acknowledges the importance of this house. Option l will improve public access to this magnificent structure and allow the City a tangible role in telling its story. Current and future generations will thank you for your foresight and stewardship of our history.
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• THANK YOU
• Don Wilson RPP Ret.
• President Les Amis Duff- Baby