Attractions


CHATHAM-KENT, A MUNICIPALITY comprising the city of Chatham and the surrounding County of Kent, is a vibrant community of some 100,000 people. It is rich in sites of historical interest and provides attractions and events to suit a wide variety of tastes and whims. Herewith, a compendium of local items of interest well within short driving distance of Jordan House:

The African Canadian Heritage Tour  comprises 5 independent sites of historic significance in Southwestern Ontario. They have joined together to make a fascinating tour designed to teach all people who have an interest in the preservation of this important segment of Canadian history. 

The Home of The Reverend Josiah Henson, now a National Historic Site. Henson's early life in slavery deeply influenced Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of the novel "Uncle Tom’s Cabin". The museum tells the story of Josiah Henson and the Dawn Settlement, and contains 19th-century artifacts and literature. New interpretive centre/museum and historic buildings restored in 1995/96.

The Buxton Settlements  TORONTO, February 12, 1999 - —Secretary of State (Parks) Andy Mitchell today announced a series of heritage commemorations related to the Underground Railroad (UGRR). The designations of national historic sites, such as Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amherstburg and the Buxton settlement in Chatham, increase awareness of the role of Black Canadians as an important part of Canada's cultural heritage.

North Buxton, a three-minute drive from Jordan House, grew in the mid-1800s out of the wishes of the Rev. William King to establish a refuge for Blacks escaping the horrors of slavery in the United States. It became a busy terminus on the Underground Railroad, and many of its present-day residents are descendants of those original refugees. 

John Brown’s Meeting House  In 1858 the famous white American abolitionist John Brown visited Canada. He chose Chatham, in Canada West, as a safe base from which to develop his strategy, draw up a constitution for his planned provisional government and drum up support for the abolitionist cause. John Brown later met his demise after the ill-fated (and historically portentous) raid on Harpers Ferry in Virginia. 

Heritage Days (The Faire at the Forks)  In the first weekend of October. Enter a world of muskets and lanterns, haversacks and reticules, of bartering and trading where woodsmoke hangs low over army encampments and the sound of dulcimer music drifts up from the river. As free from twentieth century intrusions as possible, the faire offers a rare and exciting opportunity to mingle with local citizens in authentic period clothes who portray early settlers to the area; to eat and drink period refreshments which have been meticulously researched and above all to be entertained by music, theatre, juggling, drills and demonstrations of crafts and wares of the early 1800's. Thousands of previous participants agree -- "The entire faire is a delight."

Rondeau Provincial Park  Calling all birders! Rondeau is famous for its 11,000 acres of marshes, sand beaches, remarkably lush Carolinian forest vegetation, and an uncommon assortment of birds and other wildlife.

Point Pelee National Park  Just a little over 30 km from Jordan House lies the most southerly point on the Canadian mainland, Point Pelee National Park. The park is internationally known for its spring and fall migration of birds and its stunning autumn monarch butterfly migration. Famous vistas such as the "Tip" and Marsh Boardwalk, a large visitor centre, theatre and book store make this site ideal for group visits. 

Deer Run Golf Course  Rated by the Ontario Golf Association and The Golf Association of Michigan at 70.4 and playing to a par of 72, the 18-hole Deer Run is the area's premier public golf course for individual and tournament play. A five minute drive down the road from Jordan House.

RM Cars This internationally-reknowned auto-restoration company, formerly known as RM Auto Restoration, has an impressive array of exotic and priceless automobiles on display in the Classic Car Museum. 

The Chatham-Kent Website has more on-line details about the wealth of things to do and see in the area.

Give OntarioGuide.com a look — their site is fairly comprehensive and divides the province by region.

 

Other notable local attractions include:

• Tecumseh Park in Chatham, where in 1813 Chief Tecumseh was wounded in the decisive Skirmish at the Forks. He was killed the next day following the Battle of the Thames, located near what is now Thamesville.

• The Lake Erie Beaches, only a 10 minute drive away

• The Chatham Railroad Museum

• The Chatham Cultural Centre, home to an art gallery, local history museum, and a 700-seat live performance theatre.

• The Talbot Trail Antique Shop Tour

• And finally, a note to avid bird-watchers: Jordan House is located almost equidistant between Point Pelee and Rondeau Provincial Park. Convenience and elegance, all in one!