PRESS RELEASE Information Release: Update April 10, 2000. THORNHILL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT MARKHAM’S LOYALIST SETTLERS “Does anyone live here?” “Are there any secret passages?” “Why doesn’t Mayor Cousens live here?” “Are there any ghosts?” These are just a few of the questions that the grade 7 and grade 8 students from five area Thornhill elementary schools asked during the April 6th and 7th field trip visit to historic Heintzman House. The field trip for the over 500 students was in preparation for classroom projects which will be on display at the Heintzman House as part of the Markham 2000 special presentation of the First Union Loyalist flag being made to the historic property on May 28th. The United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada will be making the flag presentation in honour of the property’s first owner, United Empire Loyalist and American Revolutionary War veteran, Anthony Hollingshead. The students’ visit included a presentation made by the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada including a history of the Hollingshead family, the Loyalist family who were assigned the Heintzman House Crown Grant property in 1798. A part of the presentation involved a hands-on display of the adobe brick wall believed to be part of the original Hollingshead farmhouse built prior to 1802. The highlight of the field trip was the tour of the 13-room mansion by the students into areas not open to the public. Making their way past a doorway carved with the date 1816 by the property’s second owner, Colonel George Cruickshank, the students using the servants’ staircase explored the lower and upper levels of the house. The opportunity to enter the walk-in safe installed in the 1930’s by the property’s last private owners, Charles and Marion Heintzman, was a popular feature of the tour. Leaving the servants’ area, the students toured the families’ private living quarters featuring the circa 1817 black walnut wall paneling contrasting with the Heintzman era art deco tiling and domed painted ceilings. Originally known as Sunnyside Manor and saved from demolition in the 1960’s by the Town of Markham, Heintzman House today is managed by a board of directors appointed by the Town. Protected under the Ontario Heritage Act, the house, spanning almost two centuries, is a treasured community legacy. As a result of the successful field trip it is hoped that the house can be used as an important learning tool in sharing Markham’s rich Loyalist heritage with young people of today. The Markham 2000 event at the Heintzman House on Sunday, May 28th will also feature Loyalist and Six Nations’ military reenactors in addition to demonstrations of heritage crafts. The students’ Heintzman House and Loyalist themed projects will be on display throughout the house during the Sunday, May 28th event. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the day’s activities which will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Heintzman House, located east of Yonge Street at 135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill. For further information please contact Christine Beck, Manager, Heintzman House, (905) 889-7980 or Toinette Bezant, Heintzman House volunteer, (905) 731- 6196.