Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – Arden Park Hotel
The Stratford & District Historical Society recently captivated a sold-out audience with the feature documentary “Under This Roof.”
Filmmaker Andrew C. Brown was drawn to the intriguing mix of a respected artist working in a traditional medium within a historically significant house, meticulously restored in the 1980s by Perth County’s first archivist, James Anderson. Brown remarked, “This unique blend really intrigued me to make this documentary.”

This one-hour film delves into the intricate artistry of renowned wood engraver and bookwright, Gerard Brender À Brandis, who lived and worked from the Greek Revival Cottage on Brunswick Street. It offers an intimate glimpse into Brender À Brandis’s dedication to his craft, the fervour with which Anderson restored the historic home, and the distinctiveness of the building’s design within the cityscape.

The Stratford & District Historical Society was pleased to showcase a program that aligned perfectly with several of its key mandates: celebrating local history and its residents, disseminating historical knowledge to the public, and preserving the community’s storied past.
The evening’s proceeds will support the Society’s ongoing efforts to fulfill these missions. Not only did the event spotlight the area’s rich history, but it also underscored the vital importance of preserving and sharing these narratives for future generations.
