Join Linda Corupe, U.E., as she presents “The Hard Road Ahead – Addington Colonization Road” on February 1st from 2:00 – 3:00pm at the L&A County Museum, 97 Thomas St. E Napanee. Among the first of more than 400 colonization routes built in the mid to late 19th century, the Addington Road played a vital role in drawing new settlers to the once pristine wilderness of central and northern Ontario. Surveyed by Provincial Land Surveyor Aylesworth Bowen Perry and administered by his brother Ebenezer, the road stretched from the Clare River in Sheffield Township to the Peterson Road in Brudenell Township, a distance of 73 miles. Free lots were given along most of its length to qualified settlers, who were obligated to build a home and clear and cultivate 12 acres of land over the course of four years. It was a hard life, with crop failures, frequent fires, and other hardships. Inadequate drainage along the length of the road resulted in frequent washouts, and log jams in the spring could easily take out vital bridges. Many settlers gave up and left, but of those that did remain, communities were formed, and the land was opened up.  This presentation will make use of documents and reports from various sources, including government agencies and the Perrys themselves, to explore this difficult but exciting time in our province’s history.The cost is $3 per person and pre-registration is not required.