By JoAnne Himmelman, Curator
This past 8 weeks, I have had the joy of re-acquainting myself with the sheer pleasure that is Macpherson House at Christmas. I first entered the old house in September 2001, I remember walking through the summer kitchen door and inhaling the earthy smell that is mixed with a bit of flour, a pinch of herbs, a splash of fire smoke, and something that is entirely just Mac House. While I didn’t get the job I originally interviewed for, I was offered a position to create programs for a year—little did I know that 1 year would be the start of my 24 year love for this House and the Museum of L&A collection as a whole.
That first Christmas was an incredible experience for my 25 year old self—I worked with a dozen volunteers to prep the House with its evergreens, pomanders, popcorn strings, and a giant kissing ball. We piled wood for the fire that would have to be started every morning to bake bread in the bee-hive oven and that would boil kettles for the plum puddings the visiting children would make as a class.
We welcomed 150 children a day at the Laird’s house—it was all such a bustle—voices, laughter, fire crackles, cookie nibbles, and just pure happy. Between the sessions, volunteers and staff sat together to eat homemade soups and sandwiches donated by other volunteers. By the time we were done our 2 week run, we had visited with 1500 students and we were all just little worn out and maybe a little tired of looking at the kissing ball. BUT—can I just say, that was the best time. For a gal in her 20s, the Christmas magic was truly well and alive. I was able to have so many conversations with the ladies who gave their time to the House—some were retired professionals, some were active in community causes, some spent their younger years raising a family and didn’t work away from the home until their children were grown. It didn’t matter—we were a sisterhood—and we were having fun and we bonded in the chaos that 1500 kids bring. I count the years and realize those kids who I met in 2001 are likely raising families of their own now and look to places like Mac House for holiday fun.
From 2001-2008, I facilitated hundreds of programs at the House, none were so magical as Christmas At The Laird’s. I left to pursue fulltime work with the County of Lennox and Addington, but when the House was acquired in 2012 by my employer, I found myself back in the spell of the House. While the House has taken on a new spin to its operations, it still sits there in its splendour along the river—a strong and wise old House that carries community stories and secrets. The House is preserved and looks good for her years but that pang of Christmas memory was nestled firmly in my mind.
I have wanted to do something to honour those memories for some time. So I pondered.
Last winter a thought came to me… to re-imagine the idea of Christmas At The Laird’s but with a 2024 twist. But who could help me? My friend and exhibit collaborator turned me towards Queens U. Yes!!
This Fall, I met 4 students from Queen’s University’s DAN School of Music and Drama, who understood the assignment. The candlelight story House Guest was created in 6 weeks by 4 drama students under the guidance of their mentor – Mo! I didn’t know what the reception would be—so we made it a short run of 3 nights only—but with 9 performances total.
The students took hold of the research we provided and made it their own. Mary Macpherson and Mae Vine, two strong feminine personas from the House’s past were brought back to life…in a Dickens kind of way. My heart sang a little bit when, on the final night of performances, I heard one of the actors say “We are home!”…Macpherson House…it just gets inside your soul like that!
I asked for help from a friend, Jen, from Holly Jolly Planters, whose grandmother was an avid volunteer at the House. In came the popcorn strings, oranges, red ribbons, evergreens, and yes the return of the kissing ball.
Museum staff shopped for flameless candles and fireplace inserts that could perhaps trick the eye into thinking they were real if you squinted just so…(unfortunately insurance costs don’t allow for actual fire). I think we bought about a million candles…just kidding…but man there was a lot. As a team of helpers and staff, we got the house ready for the holidays…it was during these days that I was both sad and elated we were decorating again. I am the bridge between what was and what will be. I often found myself just sitting in the space, embracing the memories and smiling while missing all of the people who use to add to the bustle.
House Guest has been a treat for creating memories for visitors today but it has been a trip down memory lane for me. I embraced some familiar faces who helped me 20 years ago and who were able to come see the performance (or watch the unfolding through Social Media)—Martin, Heather, Robert, Susi, Karen, Carol, and from away there was Sandra—I see you all!
The concept proved successful, we sold out every show but one. We hope to do more of this at the House—animated tours and “living” inside the rooms while you visit—we want you to step inside and imagine what the story is. This ties in beautifully to the Museum tag line “What’s Your Story?” Thank you to those who came to see House Guest—it sure was wonderful to hear the House alive with Christmas spirits and to see it aglow with candles and fire again, even if they weren’t real, it was real enough to me.
Happy Holidays—Be Well!
Gertrude was born on Amherst Island on August 30, 1891 to her parents William and Mary Preston (nee Patterson), who had a homestead in Stella, Ontario. Gertrude’s mother died of pneumonia in 1893, leaving Gertrude to be raised in part by her grandparents James and Margaret Patterson (nee Neilson). Gertrude’s life is a bit of a mystery, but we do know that she was a nurse who completed her training in the U.S. in 1915, and that she joined the U.S. Army during World War I, not as a nurse, but as a laboratory assistant. In the lab at Base Hospital 19, Gertrude would have processed samples and recorded test results, among other things, to ensure that military soldiers, nurses, and staff remained healthy. 
