Welcome to Route 1812 ~ Impact & Importance in our Society Today! …

Welcome to Route 1812 ~ Pathways to Peace ~ Western Corridor War of 1812-1814 website at www.westerncorridor1812.com

Pathways to Peace ~ Western Corridor War of 1812-1814

Adrienne Horne, M.A., Regional Project Manager, Western Corridor War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance ~ Interview Continues
Route 1812 ~ Impact & Importance in our Society Today! …

I was able to ask Ms. Horne, just how important is the “Route 1812” Project and how does it impact our society today? She shares with us … Today, people are looking to find out about their roots in this land and Route 1812 gives them an outlet to share their stories. Each area created their section of Route 1812, the community told me where the paths were in their area and what stories to tell. Route 1812 gives people a canvas for them to tell their story in their own way.

So a project like the Southwestern Ontario Barn Quilt Trail has taken off and is growing every day. This project uses the trails along Route 1812 to display 8 foot square barn quilt blocks which are images representing elements in the community’s history. What I love about this project is that communities come together to create them. Quilters, researchers, artists, carpenters, farmers and community groups come together to write the story, select the blocks, make them and install them on barns or buildings. It is a real community effort and they are proud of their story when it is done and want people to also learn the stories and enjoy finding the blocks.  

Although I can see that we will learn from visiting the historic sites, museums, events, colourful Barn Quilts along the way while visiting Route 1812 historic trails … I asked Adrienne in what way will the local stories tell how the war affected various settlements? I also asked, will these “Barn Quilts” tell us clearly the social impact of the settlers who had to defend their homes and send men off to fight during the War of 1812?

Ms. Adrienne Horne says …Beyond the Barn Quilts, you will find museums along the way are creating wonderful War of 1812 themed exhibits, telling the local stories in their own way. For the Western Corridor, this is mostly about how the war effected the local populations and their homes. Visitors will learn about raids, traitors, burnings and yes, battles too. The Ontario Visual Heritage Project has nearly completed their film on the War of 1812 in Southern Ontario; titled A Desert Between Us and Them: Raiders, Traitors and Refugees in the War of 1812. This documentary brings to life all the stories told along Route 1812. Stay tuned for more. It launches at 6 pm on August 24 at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford.  … Low Cost Family Fun & More … Stay tuned for more … Low Cost Family Fun & More …