"Chiefswood Museum opens in garden party setting"

It was 12 years in the making but Thursday the 19th century birthplace and home of one of Six Nation's most famous writers reopened its doors in a garden party setting.

Chiefswood the birthplace and home of E. Pauline Johnson was officially opened after a 12-year renovation project and more than $500,000 in renovations to bring the nine-room mansion estate back to its former glory.

Room after room features authentic furniture and period pieces that belonged to the Johnson family. The almost 100 people who gathered, including a busload of tourists who happened to be in the neighbourhood, band employees, politicians and Chiefswood renovation committee members and trustees, had a chance to view the home and sample strawberries and refreshments.

Chiefswood, designated a national historic site in 1992, is the only pre-Confederation "Indian" mansion in existence. It was built in 1853 by Mohawk Chief George Johnson for his English bride, Emily Howells.

E. Pauline Johnson, probably best known for her poem "The song My Paddle Sings" was born at the mansion-home in 1861.

The family left the homestead after the death of Johnson but the estate remained in the family until it was willed to the Six Nations by Pauline's sister Evelyn who died in 1937.