What is the Fairfield-Gutzeit Society?
The Fairfield-Gutzeit Society is a charitable organization administered by volunteers who manage and maintain three heritage buildings in the village of Bath. They are the Fairfield-Gutzeit House, The Bath Town Hall and the Layer Cake Hall. The Society was established in 1998 when the former municipality of the Village of Bath, was dissolved and the ownership of three heritage properties in the village was vested in the new charitable organization.
What are the activities of the Society?
First and foremost the Society has the responsibility for nurturing its three historical properties. To this end, a variety of heritage activities have been sponsored by the Society. Scheduled events include a June strawberry tea, Canada Day celebrations, a Fall Fair, a Christmas Carol afternoon and a Heritage Day commenoration. In addition there are three successful continuing programs: the garden program introducing youngsters from Bath Public School to the joys of horticulture with a crop of vegetables for a food bank, the fund-raising heritage walks program providing the opportunity for members and friends to visit local historical communities and nearby areas of environmental and scenic interest and the heritage program introducing children from local public schools to their local history, including visits to the House.
What is the Fairfield-Gutzeit House?
The Fairfield-Gutzeit House is the oldest of the three properties, built in 1796 by two brothers, William Jr. and Benjamin, both prominent in the community. They first came to Bath is 1793 when they left their father's home near Amherstview. The house remained in the Fairfield family until the 1860 s, but was not again owned by a Fairfield until 1938 when the estate was purchased by Mabel Fairfield Gutzeit, great-granddaughter of William Fairfield Jr., married to Dr. William H. Gutzeit, a doctor of music. The Gutzeits enjoyed a very active social life, held musical evenings and had a variety of cultural interests that included the collection of antique paintings and furniture. Mrs. Gutzeit transferred the property to the St. Lawrence Parks Commission which in turn passed it on to the Village of Bath. The original building was a simple 1 1/2 storey structure with an unadorned, steep-pitched roof which reflects the origins of the Fairfield family in Vermont. Considerable alterations were made over the course of time, mostly by the Gutzeits in the late 1930 s and early 1940' s. E'tensive renovations have b
een undertaken in recent years by the Society. The Fairfield-Gutzeit House is open to the public for a small admission fee in the summer months.
Memberships are now available
Membership entitles you to receive the Newsletter three times a year, to vote at Society meetings and to a reduced rate for some society activities. Membership dues provide basic financial support for the continuous maintenance, improvement and protection of Society owned buildings and the extension of Society programs. Please download, complete and mail the membership form with your cheque to:
P.O. Box 269, Bath, ON
K0H 1G0