Revisiting the past at Upper Canada Village – from a distance

nnMORRISBURG – The St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s largest attraction, Upper Canada Village, re-opened on July 1st this year. Its season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions on gatherings.nn

nnThe village reopened to booked tours of groups of no more than 10 people, providing a guided glimpse into life in 1866.nnI was invited by the SLPC to visit and become a tourist at the village, experiencing what had been put in place to enable the village to re-open.nnThis was not my first visit to the village, or even my 20th. Visits to Upper Canada Village have been a frequent part of summers here, living in South Dundas. Arriving at the village, the first thing I noticed was the parking was double spaced to ensure visitors getting in and out of their cars can maintain physical spacing from others.nnAt the front entrance before going in, I was greeted by Dave, the locomotive engineer. As the village’s replica train is not operating so far this season, Dave is on hand to greet new people and renew old acquaintances to the village.nn

nnEntering the village proper required passing through the front entrance and a hand sanitizing station before stepping into the past.nnOur guide, Lauren, took the group on a trip back in time to 1866.nnUnlike the usual self-guided tours in other years, the benefit of the guided tour offered currently is that you learn details you might not pick up on your own.nnThe smaller, guided group setting works well with the interactive, but distanced, activities visitors do along the way.nn

nnThis included meeting Tom the musician, a member of the Morrisburg Melodeons musical troop, who described the quadrille or square dance that had occurred the night before. Tom showcased the many instruments the group, who was still sleeping off the effects of the previous night, played.nnAnother interesting location was inside Cook’s Tavern, where Carol was in the kitchen checking on a lunch of baked beans and ham.nnInteresting to me was that while the tour did show fewer buildings, I didn’t feel like I missed out. The village was still the village, the interpreters still did a great job showcasing the history of the era. It was just different. Different doesn’t mean less, or bad.nn

nnAfter the tour, village manager Tracey Ogilby explained that more buildings are gradually opening up, but other buildings are going to be closed for a longer period of the summer because work that normally would be done in the spring before the village opened was delayed. Other areas, like the Battle of Crysler’s Farm Memorial are closed to help control group sizes in park spaces.nnGoing back to the village was like reconnecting with an old friend, and it was good to be back again. As “Stay-cations” are going to be the norm for the rest of the summer 2020, I will visit again.nnHere are some tips for when you book your tour.nnBring a mask: Masks are required inside all buildings and indoor spaces by the local health unit. Even period costumed staff wear masks in indoor spaces. There are exemptions made for those unable to wear a mask for medical reasons.nnBring hand sanitizer: There are minimal contact points at the village. While there is frequent, but unobtrusive, signage reminding visitors to keep two metres apart, hand sanitizing stations are limited to the village gift shop and the entrance to the village.nnBring water and a snack: Except in the village gift shop, there is nowhere to purchase a drink or food. As the tours are about 90 minutes long, you’ll need a drink, especially on hot and humid days.nnBook your visit online: Walk-up visits are not allowed currently.nn