It started with Alexander Graham Bell dreaming up plans for inventing the “most important invention in the world” in a hollow nestled amongst trees overlooking the Grand River.

The property where Bell invented the telephone in 1874 celebrated its centennial anniversary as a museum and national historic site this weekend with a series of events in Brant.

“I can picture him on the bluff overlooking the Grand River where he dreamed up the idea for the telephone,” Lieutenant Governor David Onley said at the Bell Homestead’s celebratory dinner on Saturday night. “Alexander Graham Bell will always be regarded as one of the greatest inventors of all time.”

It was in 1910 that the Bell Homestead opened its doors to the public after the Bell Telephone Memorial Association purchased the property and deeded it to the city for use in perpetuity as a public parkland and memorial.

One hundred years later, Onley, as the Queen’s representative in Ontario, rededicated the homestead for the same purpose.

Due to his partial paralysis from polio, Onley is known as a champion for accessibility, a quality he noted in Bell.

“He always said he was prouder of his teachings to the deaf,” Onley said. “In this way, he was far ahead of his time. I salute this man not only as an inventor, but as a man who promoted accessibility for all.”

The weekend started on Friday with readings of selected letters from the Bell family. On Saturday afternoon, there was a ceremony to honour the sculptor of Brantford’s Bell Memorial, Walter Seymour Allward. A dinner at the Market Square Mall and concert at the Sanderson Centre were held Saturday evening.

Sunday featured worship services at Farringdon Church, where the Bell family attended during their years in Brantford, followed by a 1910-era picnic at the Homestead grounds.

“It was a fantastic weekend,” said Brian Wood, curator of the Homestead. “It is very evident that this site still holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the community here.”

At the dinner, Brant MPP Dave Levac read a letter from Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan.

“It still amazes me that one of the most important inventions in the world was developed on this property,” Chan wrote. “This place holds incredible importance to Ontario’s history.”

Bell's great-granddaughter, Elsie Myers Martin, traveled from Minnesota to represent the family during the weekend. She said the family wants to make sure Brantford’s forefathers get their due credit.

“Who knows what would have happened if your ancestors hadn’t welcomed my family and given them a place to think and create,” Martin said.

Sunday’s picnic featured activities like croquet and horseshoes, while the Brantford Amateur Radio Club broadcasted news of the celebration around the world.

"We are using the 20 metre band ham radio,” club member Scott Hamilton said. “We’ve had responses from Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and all across the United States.”

Wood said the community should take great pride in Brant's role in developing one of the greatest inventions of all time.

“That something like the invention of the telephone happened here on a fairly modest farm…this is something this community can really boast about,” Wood said.