Duff Baby House facts for kids
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| Established | 1798 |
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| Location | 221 Mill Street Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Historic house museum Ontario Heritage Trust |
The Duff Baby House is a very old and important building located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is known as one of the oldest buildings in the entire province of Ontario. Today, it serves as a historic house museum, helping people learn about the past.
Contents
History of the Duff Baby House
Building an Early Home
The Duff Baby House was built a long time ago, between 1792 and 1798. It was first built by a man named Alexander Duff. He used it as a fur trade post, which was a place where people traded animal furs for other goods. This was a very important business in early Canada.
A Home During the War of 1812
In 1807, a person named James Baby bought the house. During the War of 1812, a big conflict between the United States and Great Britain (which included Canada), the house was used by important military leaders. It is believed that U.S. General William Henry Harrison, British Colonel Henry Proctor, and British General Isaac Brock all used the house as a headquarters at different times. The house was damaged by British forces during the war.
Restoring a Historic Home
After the war, in 1816, the house was repaired and became James Baby's home. It is a two-and-a-half-story building made of timber. The house is located at 221 Mill Street in an area called Old Sandwich Town. This part of Windsor is very old, with settlements dating back to the mid-1700s.
The Duff Baby House is special because it is one of the best-preserved and oldest examples of a Georgian-style house in Ontario. Georgian style was a popular way to build homes in the 1700s and early 1800s, known for its balanced and grand look.
Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust owns the Duff Baby House. This organization works to protect important historical places. The building now holds government offices.
Right behind the Duff Baby House, the Windsor's Community Museum has a special center. Here, you can learn even more about the local history of the area.
Images for kids
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Duff-Baby House historical plaques. These plaques share interesting facts about the house's history.
