Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Bath’s historic Fairfield-Gutzeit House will again open its doors to the public this Sunday for their annual Christmas Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Each room throughout the house will be decked in traditional Christmas decor while carols will be sung around the piano.
On sale at the open house will be a limited edition reproduction of Dora Estelle Fairfield’s cook book, which was written in 1888.
A 26-year-old resident of Bath at the time, she was directly related to the Davys, Hams and Fairfields, three prominent families from the village.
“Her great-great grandfather was William Fairfield, who built the house,” said Amanda Fasken, director of the Fairfield-Gutzeit House. “There’s not many of these books around. It’s one of the first published cookbooks in Ontario.”
An original print of the cook book, one of six known to exist. Proceeds from the sale of reproductions will go towards restoring the original.
Browsing through the book it’s not hard to see the ties to the region as there’s recipes for Bay of Quinte Cake, Sir John A. MacDonald pie, Mrs. General Sherman’s Claret punch, Bath cake and Ontario cake. They don’t all sound so savoury, however.
“There’s some with squirrel,” said Fasken as one of the ingredients. “I don’t know if its going to be very practical for people to use these recipes but people who like food and history will definitely like it.”
Fasken says they’ve reproduced 200 copies from the original. They’ll be sold during the open house for $25, or $20 with a donation of a non-perishable item to the local food bank.
“The proceeds are actually going towards the restoration of the original (cook book),” said Fasken. “Anything after that will just go to the house restoration.”
Refreshments and snacks will also be provided throughout the open house. Food bank donations will also be accepted there as well.
The house is located at 341 Main Street in Bath, overlooking Lake Ontario.