Les Amis Duff-Bâby
Les Amis Duff-Bâby was established as a grassroots volunteer community organization in 1990 to ensure a sympathetic restoration to the Mansion’s earliest documented period. Our attempts succeeded in the province spending more than a million dollars rather than $350,000.00 and the house now boasts its original 18th century appearance rather than the proposed 1920’s appearance. Since that time, Les Amis Duff-Bâby has been an integral part of the Sandwich community. Annual events such as The Sandwich Festival, Miracle in Sandwich, Open Streets, Doors Open and Jane’s Walk, have allowed us to open the doors of the Mansion and make the building and site accessible to the whole community. Access to the Mansion got a huge boost in 2020 when we convinced Windsor City Council to agree to lease the first floor of the building and allow for free, regularly scheduled open days.
Our group has provided volunteers to give tours and interpret the building at virtually every opening for 33 years. We have partnered with various community groups such as the Sandwich BIA, Museum Windsor, Windsor Historic Sites, The Friends of the Court (Mackenzie Hall), Windsor-Essex Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Northstar Cultural Community Centre, Shaanti International Museum of Costumes and Dolls, Riverfront Theatre Company, Ontario Questers, Windsor Port Authority, and the Greater Essex County District School Board to bring interesting and educational programming to the community. We have published three editions of our monograph, A Mansion on the Detroit Frontier, a local best seller. As well we’ve reprinted portions of the local history book, Souvenirs of the Past which pertains to the house’s role in the Underground Railroad.
In 2022, Les Amis Duff-Bâby was awarded the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Special Jury Prize in recognition of our group’s three decades of work, dedication and achievements, especially given the significance of the house.
Also in 2022, four Directors were presented with the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee pins honouring over 30 years of volunteer work with the House and within the community.
In the Spring of 2024, the Duff-Baby House was voted the best museum by Community Votes Windsor.
Our Goals and Objectives:
- To assist in the physical restoration and preservation of Duff‐ Bâby Mansion and its site.
- To promote public awareness, to educate and to assist in the interpretation of the historic and architectural significance of the Duff-Bâby Mansion and its families.
- To assist in the development of programmes, host events, special meetings, displays and tours to interpret the building and site.
- To liaise with government, business, community partners, Windsor’s Community Museum and individuals for support of the restoration and maintenance of the Duff‐Bâby site.
