Pickering Museum Village Restoration Project Wins Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation

Pickering, ON, May 9, 2025 - The City of Pickering is excited to announce that the 2024 restoration of the Pickering Museum Village log house and log barn has won the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation!

In 2024, the City of Pickering worked with B.A. Construction on restoration of the oldest buildings on the Pickering Museum Village property, the log house and log barn.

The log barn, c. 1830, originated in the small German settlement of Denbigh, north of Kaladar. This unique structure consists of two barns seamlessly joined together, featuring hand-hewn squared timber construction, and dovetail corners. Early wooden pegs, known as trenails, were carefully whittled by hand to secure the frames together. These are visible at the top of the door frames and on the ceiling of the barn.

The log house, c. 1830, was built on Brimley Road, south of Sheppard Avenue in Scarborough, and donated to the Pickering Museum Village in 1959. The 1.5 story home is constructed of wide-hewn, squared, dovetailed pine timbers.

The restoration included careful conservation of the masonry using heritage mortars, repairs to the existing woodwork and wooden windows, and replacement of the cedar shake roofing. Wherever possible, materials were thoughtfully reused, such as the reclaimed foundation stones. Native softwood was sourced to ensure material accuracy.

This restoration transformed these buildings into a welcoming and functional space to facilitate programs, events and a new permanent exhibit, Roots to Rebellion, which explores early Black settler history.

“We are honoured to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “This recognition highlights our commitment to preserving Pickering’s unique culture and built heritage. The restoration of the log house and barn ensures that these important landmarks continue to educate, inspire, and connect our community for generations to come.”

The City of Pickering is a proud recipient of this award and continues to take care in the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings and collections at the Pickering Museum Village.

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 114,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, Pickering is slated for significant economic and residential growth; offering an unparalleled quality of life for those who live, work, and play here. Its dynamic City Centre has been designated by the Province of Ontario as both an Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub, and continues to evolve as a preferred destination for creative learning, memorable events, and unique experiences at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.