All HPL Branches are closed on Sunday, May 18, and Victoria Day, Monday, May 19. Bookmobile is off the road. Extended Access and Study Hall services are not available. Our Virtual Branch is open at hpl.ca.
On Tuesday, May 13, a fire drill will be held at 11 am at Central Library. You may visit the Barton or Locke Branches as alternate locations for your library needs. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to the ongoing roof repair project, noise and parking disruptions are expected to continue until the end of June. Thank you for your patience.
From Monday, May 5 to Saturday, May 31, the Ancaster Branch will be temporarily closed due to a roof and HVAC replacement. During this time, service hours will be available at the Ancaster Rotary Centre, 385 Jerseyville Road West, Ancaster. The last day to pick up your Holds is Thursday, May 1st. Thank you for your understanding.
The digital microfilm machines at Central Library are not working. A single analog machine is available, but it doesn't print. We aim to have the digital devices repaired as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The first phase of renovations will begin at the Sherwood Branch from April 10 to May 2. During this time, noise disruptions may occur throughout the branch due to a basement renovation. Parking, access to the building, and collections will not be affected. Thank you for your patience. www.hpl.ca/sherwood
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Greetings from Hamilton
"She was most intrigued with the variety of plants ..."
Shortly, after Campbell 's journey, one of Hamilton 's better known tourists arrived; Mrs. John Graves Simcoe. She was most intrigued with the variety of plants in the area. Mr. Green (Billy Green the scout's father) named them all for her to write down:
"Ginseng...sarsaparilla, golden thread ... consumption vine... Poison vine...Madder, toothache plant... sore throat weed; dragon's blood; Adam and Eve ... droppings of beech; enchanter's nightshade ... dewberries; wild turnip..."
Her experience with the food of the area was slightly more appealing than the Rev. Christmas'.
"They prepared me some refreshment at this house, some excellent cakes, baked on the coals; eggs; a boiled black squirrel; tea, and coffee made of peas, which was good; they said coffee was better'. The sugar was made from black walnut trees, which looks darker than that from the maple, but I think it is sweeter."
She stayed at the King's Head Inn, where most of the earliest travellers stayed. It would have been of particular, interest to her as it had been ordered erected "for the accommodation of travellers" by her husband.
"It is beautifully situated at a small portage which leads from the head of a natural canal connecting Burlington Bay with Lake Ontario , and is a good landmark. There are eight rooms in this house, besides low wings behind it, joined by a colonnade, where are the offices. It is a pretty plan. I breakfasted in a room to the S.E., which commands the view of the lake on the south shore, of which we discern the Point of the Forty-Mile Creek, Jones' Point and some other houses. From the rooms to the N.W. we see Flamborough Head and Burlington Bay . The sand cliffs on the north shore of Burlington Bay look like red rocks. The beach is like a park covered with large, spreading oaks."