This summer, the City of Brantford will come alive with festivities as it commemorates the 150th anniversary of one of the most significant inventions in human history—the telephone. Invented by Dr. Alexander Graham Bell in 1874, the telephone revolutionized communication, connecting people across vast distances. To honour this milestone, Brantford is hosting “Thanks Mr. Bell,” a series of free, family-friendly events that promise to be both educational and entertaining.
From Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28, 2024, residents and visitors are invited to join in the celebrations at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site, 94 Tutela Heights Road, and Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie Street. The festivities will include live performances, an elegant garden party, a trail trek challenge, and more.
A Musical Tribute to the Telephone – Friday, July 26
The weekend celebration kicks off in Harmony Square with A Musical Tribute to the Telephone on Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m. The Avalon Music Academy of Brantford will perform, celebrating the evolution of communication through music. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for this outdoor event, which promises to be a delightful evening under the stars.
150th Anniversary Garden Party – Saturday, July 27
On Saturday, July 27, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the grounds of the Bell Homestead NHS will host the 150th Anniversary Garden Party. Visitors can enjoy free sweets and refreshments (while supplies last) and musical entertainment by the Telephone City Music Society and AILM+Celtic Musicians. Free tours of the Bell Homestead NHS will be offered by the Brant 4H Bell Homestead Club, and no pre-registration is required.
At 1:15 p.m., there will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the museum’s new telephone exhibit, “Life on the Line: The Evolution of the Bell Telephone.” Guests can explore this fascinating exhibit throughout the afternoon. Additionally, at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Elsie Myers Martin, a great-granddaughter of Alexander Graham Bell, will present an interpretive dance titled “Nature had the Answer: An Ode to the Telephone.”
The evening concludes with a special outdoor performance by the Brant Theatre Workshop at 7:30 p.m. They will present “Helen, Annie and Alec,” a play written by Sharyl Hudson that explores the friendship between Helen Keller and Alexander Graham Bell. Canadian actor John Tench will reprise his role as Dr. Bell, promising a captivating performance. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy this unique theatrical experience.
Telephone Trail Trek Challenge – Sunday, July 28
The celebrations wrap up with the Telephone Trail Trek Challenge on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. Participants can walk, run, or bike the 18-kilometre distance of the world’s first long-distance telephone call, made from Brantford to Paris, Ontario. The trek begins at Harmony Square and follows picturesque trails to the Paris Museum and Historical Society at the Syl Apps Community Centre.
Registrants will receive a free t-shirt, and there will be water and rest stops along the way, featuring telephone trivia and refreshments. A free shuttle will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to transport participants between rest stops and back to Harmony Square. Pre-registration is encouraged by visiting www.Brantford.ca/ThanksMrBell, but registration will also be available at Harmony Square from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event.
To learn more about the “Thanks Mr. Bell” events, please visit www.Brantford.ca/BellHomestead or call 519-756-6220. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #ThanksMrBell.
Remembering Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was a pioneer in communication, and his invention of the telephone in 1874 at the age of 29 marked a new era in human connectivity. Despite his success, Bell continued to innovate throughout his life, exploring various scientific fields.
Bell’s early education was influenced by his family, who were all elocutionists. He eventually emigrated to Canada and later moved to Boston, where he taught at the Boston School for the Deaf. His relentless experimentation led to the creation of the first telephone with his assistant, Thomas Watson, in 1875.
In 1888, Bell co-founded the National Geographic Society, and his later years saw achievements in aerodynamics and hydrofoil technology. Bell passed away on August 2, 1922, but his legacy endures through his revolutionary contributions to communication.
Join Brantford in celebrating this incredible milestone and honouring the man whose invention changed the world.
