The Athens and Area Heritage Society in collaboration with the Ontario East British Home Child Family are hosting a full day of activities dedicated to British Home Children.
The Home Boys who enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force to fight in World War I will be honoured. The medals, including the Victoria Cross, awarded to Private Claude J.P.Nunney for his
service will be on display.
Events will be held in various locations in Athens. The Joshua Bates Centre and
the Athens Museum will open at 9 am for the day with various displays all relating
to Home Children.
The opening ceremonies will commence at 10 am in the park.
The Baptist Church will host various presentations throughout the day. One
speaker will be the daughter of a Home Child, Joan O’Malley, who sewed the first
Canadian flag. Other activities include walking tours, assistance with genealogical
searches, children’s activities, music, and refreshments. The day will conclude
with a dinner at the Cedar Valley Restaurant.
- Book launch of Belonging, Sandra Joyce's sequel to The Street Arab - The Story of a British Home Child
- Performances by members of Barb Perkin's HOMECHILD Musical, Folk Singer Marion Parsons, as well as Highland and Irish Dancing - and of course, there will be bagpipes and drums!
- Author Marjorie Kohli will give a presentation on the contribution British Home Children made in the First World War.
- Rose McCormick Brandon will host an open mike session with British Home Child stories including two British Home Children.
- A multi-media installation inspired by the lost childhood of British Home Children by international artists Nerea Martinez de Lecea and Michele Woodey
- MP Judy Sgro, York West, former Minister of Immigration, will also be on hand to help in the celebrations
- This day will culminate in a SPECIAL DINNER to be held in the Village: reserved tickets, including parking, admission and a three course meal. Please see below for more details.
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