Arlene Stafford-Wilson marks her 13th book launch with Lanark County Mansions
PERTH — Under a bright Saturday sun, Lanark County author Arlene Stafford-Wilson welcomed readers to The Book Nook and Other Treasures for the launch of her 13th book, Lanark County Mansions: Spectacular Homes and Fascinating Families.
Fans streamed into the downtown Perth shop on Sept. 20 to meet Stafford-Wilson, swap stories, and pick up signed copies of her latest title. Alongside the new release, she had all 13 of her previous works on display, charting more than a decade of research into the histories and mysteries of Lanark County.
Lanark County Mansions dives into some of the region’s most striking homes and the families who built them. From the grandeur of the McMartin House in Perth to the tragic fate of Smiths Falls’ Glenwood Mansion, each chapter blends architectural detail with tales of romance, scandal, and resilience. Readers encounter feuds over wills, whispered affairs, and even fiery tragedies. These are the sort of stories that give the mansions character beyond bricks and mortar. A genealogical appendix, listing families from Adams to Wylie, ensures the book will also resonate with anyone tracing local roots.
For Stafford-Wilson, it all began in 2011 with Recipes & Recollections: Treats and Tales From Our Mother’s Kitchen. What started as potentially stapled bundle of her mother’s prize-winning recipes from local fairs and family anecdotes soon grew into a published book. It was the spark for a series that has become a local tradition.
“It all started when I thought I’d just staple a bunch of recipes and stories together for the family,” she said. “But then it grew into something more and that became my first book.”
Book Nook owner Leslie Wallack said every one of Stafford-Wilson’s launches has been hosted at her store. Over the years, the pair have marked the occasion with photos in front of the shop, comparing them year by year with laughter and fondness.Copies of Lanark County Mansions are now available at The Book Nook, as well as through Stafford-Wilson’s website.
Related article: Lanark County Mansions: When the walls could talk
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