François Baby House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids François Bâby House
François Bâby House, depicted in 1812
Location	Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Governing body	Museum Windsor
Website	Windsor's Community Museum
National Historic Site of Canada
Designated	1950

François Baby House

The François Bâby House is a really old and important house in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It used to belong to a well-known local leader named François Baby. People in the area called the house La Ferme, which means "The Farm" in French. It was part of a special type of farm called a ribbon farm. These farms were long and narrow, stretching from the land right up to the Detroit River.

This house played a big part in the War of 1812. Both American and British armies used it as their main base during the conflict. Today, the François Bâby House is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. It is now home to Windsor's Community Museum. This museum shares the exciting history of the city of Windsor.

Important Moments in the House's History

• 1751 - On November 24, the land where the house stands was given to Pierre Réaume. This was done by Pierre Celoron, a French commander in Detroit.
• 1800 - On December 19, Suzanne Réaume Baby sold the farm to her son, François. She sold it for a very small amount, showing it was a family transfer.
• 1812 - In the spring and summer, the house was built. Its front originally faced the Detroit River.
• 1812 - On July 12, the War of 1812 began. American General William Hull and his troops crossed the Detroit River. They took over the unfinished Baby House to use as their headquarters.
• 1812 - On July 13, the American forces built defenses around the house. Their camp was set up in Baby's fruit orchard nearby.
• 1812 - By August 7, General Hull's situation was difficult. He moved his soldiers back to Fort Lernoult. This fort was safely across the river from the house.
• 1812 - On August 15, the main British army arrived. Major General Isaac Brock led them. They started firing cannons at Detroit. The Americans fired back.
• 1812 - On August 16, the firing continued. Detroit then gave up to the British, Canadian, and Indigenous forces.
• 1838 - On December 4, the Battle of Windsor happened in the Baby orchard. This battle ended the Patriot War. This war was caused by political problems in Upper Canada. The "Patriots" were mostly Americans who had invaded.
• 1850 - On October 8, a big fire badly damaged the Baby House.
• 1890 - The house was changed into two separate homes. The original front porch was replaced. The side facing Pitt Street became the new front. Bay windows and gables were added to this new front.
• Around 1931 - The house was left empty during the Great Depression.
• 1948 - Some parts of the house were fixed up. Additions were removed, and the Pitt Street wall was replaced.
• 1958 - The final major repairs were done. On May 7, the François Baby House opened as the Hiram Walker Historical Museum.
• 1968 - An underground storage area and an outdoor display space were added.