New Heritage Centre for John R. Park Homestead
Recently the Government of Canada announced a $600,000 grant to create a new Heritage Centre for the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area in Essex. Built in 1842, the Homestead is the only living agricultural museum west of London. It has twice received the distinction of being voted the best museum or heritage space in Windsor-Essex and was awarded the Russel K. Cooper Award as the best living history museum in Ontario.
The Homestead welcomed more than 18,000 visitors last year, and the new Heritage Centre will enhance the educational and cultural experiences for all who visit. It will feature an adequate, climate-controlled creative commons for students of all ages, a significantly enhanced exhibit space, an outdoor classroom space and accessible and expanded washroom facilities. It will also serve as a tourism hub for the region.
“I am so pleased to support tourism growth and economic development in the Windsor-Essex region. The John R. Park Homestead is an important educational and tourism destination in our region, preserving the stories of our past for future generations. This investment in the local tourism industry will complement and further enhance the many destinations and experiences to be explored in our beautiful region.” – MP Irek Kusmierczyk, MP Windsor-Tecumseh
Wanting to maximize this once-in-a-generation opportunity, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation has committed to match the funds granted by the Canadian Experiences Fund. The Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation have kicked off the campaign with a donation of $100,000 to create a ‘first stop’, with a beautiful local artisan gift shop, innovative programming space and significantly enhanced tourism promotional area. This will be named the Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation Welcome Centre. As well, $100,000 from the bequeathed estate of historian, and long-time Homestead supporter, Mrs. Alvira Wigle has been allocated to the project, and donations from dozens of individuals and the Friends of the John R. Park Homestead total an additional $40,000 to date. Of the $1.2 million budget, $840,000 has been raised.
The Park brothers were key in establishing our local shipping and manufacturing industries. Today, in the Park Family’s original pioneer-era blacksmith shop, the blacksmith engages students in forging and maintaining various tools and small pieces of hardware – making connections between the past and inspiring students into the future. The shop also provides exciting, hands-on opportunities for visitors of all ages to experience how early iron imports were forged into practical implements for the local farms and the developing region.
