14

On May 28, 1909,Countess Grey, the wife of the Governor-General, turned the first sod for the construction of the Battelfield Monument. In attendance was Countess Grey's daughter, Lady Sybil and several members of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society including Sarah Calder.

15

The opening of the monument in Battlefield Park on June 6, 1913.
6 June 1913
Battlefield Park, Stoney Creek, Ontario

16

June 6, 1913, was a momentous day for the Women's Wentworth Historical Society.

The Battlefield Monument, for which they had worked so long and hard, was finally opened.

Queen Mary pushed a button in Buckingham Palace which sent a telegraphic message some 4,000 miles to release the veiling from the monument.

The crowd below broke into spontaneous cheer, the band played the national anthem and Mrs. John Calder, president of the society, hoisted a huge Union Jack.

17

In 1958, rumours began to surface that Queen Elizabeth may be visiting Battlefield Park during her historic visit to Canada to open the St. Lawrence Seaway the following year.

18

The official brochure for the Queen's Royal Tour.
2 July 1959
TEXT ATTACHMENT


19

The rumours were indeed true. In 1959, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Battlefield House.

20

On July 2, 1959, an estimated 3200 people crowded into Battlefield Park and another 2500 crowded the park entrance in order to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip. This is an astonishing figure when we consider that Stoney Creek's 1959 population was barely 6000. All and all it was estimated that 150,000 spectators lined the 17 mile royal route through Hamilton and the surrounding region. This massive turnout worked wonders to dispel the myth of Canadians being apathetic towards the Royal Family.

21

American visitors who travelled from as far south as Florida, were astonished at the Royal Tour's intimacy. One visitor from Maryland commented, "We could have touched them- the Queen is so much trimmer than I thought- our friends in Baltimore will never believe us."
(Hamilton Spectator, July 3, 1959)

22

Prince Philip meets the ladies of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society during the Royal Tour.
2 July 1959
Battlefield Park, Stoney Creek, Ontario

23

Prince Philip chatted with some of the ladies of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society near the threshold of Battlefield House Museum.

24

Queen Elizabeth at Battlefield House Museum during her Royal Tour in 1959.
2 July 1959

25

While in Battlefield House, Queen Elizabeth signed the guestbook and met with several members of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society including: Mrs. Angus Jackson (president of the Stoney Creek Women's Institute), Mrs. Donald Henderson (the first vice president of the Historical Society), and Janet Virtue (president and secretary of the Women's Wentworth Historical Society). A Hamilton Spectator article stated that the Queen enjoyed tea with "milk, no sugar" and that she also had a slice of buttered brown bread. The Queen commented on the "historical splendour of the house".

26

Stoney Creek's seal for the Official Royal Visit.
2 July 1959

27

Queen Elizabeth's visit was an extremely significant event for the Town of Stoney Creek and its mayor, John Watson.