Ireland House Museum
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Built between 1835-1837, Ireland House at Oakridge Farm was the home of Joseph Ireland, one of Burlington’s earliest settlers. Emigrating from Bowes, Yorkshire, England in 1819 at the age of 27, he petitioned for land at Oakridge Farm and so began a legacy that continues today.
Joseph and his descendants occupied Ireland House until 1985. In 1987, the City of Burlington purchased the property from the estate of Lucie Marie Ireland Bush and established a museum, restoring the homestead to illustrate three distinct time periods that represent the generations of Irelands who lived in the house: 1850s, 1890s and 1920s.
Ninety percent of the furnishings are original to the Ireland family thanks to a generous donation by Helen Ireland Caldwell, Marie’s first cousin. Restorations of the house have reclaimed missing elements of former times, bringing the Museum back to its feeling of a period home and farm.
Guided tours, heritage demonstrations, and interactive programming bring Burlington’s past to the present as visitors explore the house, grounds and interpretive centre.
Organization learning resources
| Title | Description | Cost |
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Heritage Workshops PUBLISHED |
We are pleased to offer the option of private bubble bookings for 4 participants for our Heritage Workshops at Ireland House Museum. All workshops take place in the historic house at the hearth. A guided tour of Ireland House and all supplies are included. This experience is approximately 2 hours in length. Private Workshops can be booked in the afternoons on weekends. Participants must be part of the same social circle or bubble. Each participant will have their own utensils and supplies for use during the workshop. Please note, masks are mandatory. The cost is $30/person (4 participants). Please select your preferred day/time from the options available and indicate the workshop type in the booking form. Workshop Choices: Heritage Soups & Stews | Prepare potato leek soup, traditional beef stew, cheddar cheese scones and herb butter at the historic hearth. Heritage Pie Workshop | Prepare beef mushroom pie, caramel peach crumble pie and apple pie at the historic hearth. Heritage Bread Workshop | Prepare a raisin tea loaf, cheese scones with herb butter and milk bread at the historic hearth.. Heritage Food Preservation | Prepare dill pickles, mixed berry jam, scones and dried apples at the historic hearth. Cancellation Policy: Please contact museumeducation@burlington.ca if you have any questions.
Academic - General Late Elementary School Middle School High School Adults |
$ |
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Virtual Lectures PUBLISHED |
Virtual LecturesThe Museums offer lecture presentations on topics relating to Burlington's culture and heritage, and our historic sites Joseph Brant Museum, and Ireland House Museum. In-person lectures are not available while physical distancing measures due to COVID-19 are in place. Please contact museumeducation@burlington.ca if you would like to arrange a lecture via Zoom. The cost is $75 + HST. The Ireland FamilyJoseph Ireland arrived in Canada in 1819 from Yorkshire, England. He purchased 100 acres of land in Burlington the same year, and over his lifetime accumulated just over 1,065 acres of land. He built Ireland House on Guelph Line between 1835 – 1837, and four generations of his family lived in the home for 150 years. Today, Ireland House stands as a reminder of Burlington’s agricultural history, and life during the Victorian era. Learn about the Ireland family, and take a virtual tour of Ireland House during this presentation. Joseph Brant: The Legacy of a Historical FigureLearn about the life and career of Joseph Brant, Thayendanagea. From his early childhood in the Mohawk Valley, Upper New York State, to his rise to the rank of Captain in the British Army, we will explore the milestones in his personal life and military career, and his arrival here in Burlington. We will also take a look at his influence on the development of Burlington, and the Museum which bears his name. Early BurlingtonDiscover the history of Burlington, from the earliest inhabitants, to the arrival of Joseph Brant, to the hey-day of the Brant Inn. We will trace the growth and development of the City through milestones, touch on the lives of prominent Burlington citizens, and take a look at the historic buildings that are scattered throughout the City.
History / social studies Middle School High School Adults |
$ |
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Virtual Badge Programs PUBLISHED |
Museums of Burlington offers virtual badge programs based on the Girl Guides of Canada ‘Girls First’ Program and the Scouts Canada Program via Zoom video conferencing platform. Leaders will be provided a PDF package with program materials. Prior to the program booking, leaders will be asked to email the package to all participants. A list of craft supplies and/or household items required for the program will also be included in the package. Some programs may include an optional add-on activity kit for an additional charge. The cost is $90 (up to 15 participants), and $9 for each additional participant.
For more information or to book your program, contact an Educator today at 905-332-9888 or email MuseumEducation@burlington.ca
Academic - General Early Elementary School Late Elementary School Middle School |
$ |
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Virtual Home School Programs PUBLISHED |
We are currently offering Virtual Homeschool Programs. These programs include an activity kit to be picked up at Ireland House Museum before the program booking. A list of craft supplies and/or household items required for the program will also be included in the kit. Programs are run through Zoom video conferencing platform. Cost: $30 per family/group (2 adults and up to 4 students; additional $10 per extra student) Program length: 1 hour Availability: Weekdays between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. Please see below for current programs being offered and to register.
History / social studies Early Elementary School Late Elementary School Middle School |
$ |
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Museum-to-Go Education Kits PUBLISHED |
Borrow one of our Museum-to-Go Education Kits and bring the Museum to you. The kits are a great way to host a heritage-based experience in a setting of your choice. Museum-to-Go Education Kits are sturdy cases packed with objects and lesson material that can be rented by schools (or any other educational group) for a hands-on component to classroom learning that is memorable, engaging and fun. The Indigenous kit includes:
The Early Settler kit includes:
Academic - General Early Elementary School Late Elementary School Middle School |
$ |
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Virtual Field Trips PUBLISHED |
Museums of Burlington offers curriculum-based virtual field trips for in-class and/or remote learners on the video conferencing platform of your choice. Reserve your virtual field trip date and time here. You will receive a confirmation and one of our Museum Educators will contact you to confirm any details and method of payment. Teachers will be provided a PDF package with program materials to prepare in advance of the booking date. A list of craft supplies and/or household items required for the program will also be included in the package. Some programs may include an optional add-on activity kit for an additional charge. Cost: $135 for up to 30 students (additional $5 per extra student) Program length: 1 hour Availability: Weekdays at 10:00 am or 1:00 pm Please email museumeducation@burlington.ca with any questions or special requests.
History / social studies Early Elementary School Late Elementary School |
$ |