Historic John R. Park Homestead reopens following $1 million restoration

John R. Park had its ribbon cutting on Thursday after a two-year expansion. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has more.

After nearly two years of extensive restoration, the historic John R. Park Homestead near Colchester has officially reopened to the public, just in time for Museum Month.

The restoration, which began in the fall of 2022, focused on preserving the 1842 home built by early settlers John Richardson Park and Amelia Gamble Park — the centrepiece of the Essex Region’s premier living history museum.

“The John R. Park Homestead is more than just a museum, it’s a living legacy,” said Molly Allaire, chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).

“Since 1978, we’ve welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to step back in time and discover the pioneering spirit of this region.”

The project was sparked by a comprehensive architectural review in 2021 that identified significant structural concerns, including powder-post beetle damage, rotting sill beams, and deteriorating foundations. George Robb Architect led the assessment, which informed the scope of the $1 million project.

“We knew this was not just a renovation,” said Allaire.

“It was an act of preservation, and of responsibility – not just to those who came before us, but for generations to come.”

ERCA received federal funding through the Canadian Experiences Fund to support the work, with additional funds raised by the Essex Region Conservation Foundation. Contributions also came from organizations such as the Toldo Foundation and the Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation.

Tim Byrne, ERCA’s chief administrative officer, said the restoration required opening walls and removing panels to understand the full extent of the damage.

“Powder-post beetle infestation had occurred maybe 100 years ago,” he said.

“The damage was done then, and over time, the rafters, beams, trusses, and sill plates all started to sag. Carpenter ants had also gotten into a couple of the sill beams and did their damage.”

The restoration included rebuilding the south porch, replacing windows, repairing plaster and repainting — much of it completed using hand-crafted methods to retain historical authenticity.

“This building was originally constructed in 1842. Other than the Baby House in Windsor and a couple of isolated structures, there’s nothing of that vintage in this region,” said Byrne.

“To allow this to disappear — you’d never see the likes of it come back. It’s a critical component of who we are as a people.”

Allaire said the reopened Homestead helps to preserve not just a building, but the community’s collective identity.

“The work we honour today is not just about preservation. It is about passion. It is about people. And it is about all of you who helped ensure these stories will last for generations to come,” she said.

The restoration is not yet complete. ERCA and its Foundation plan to raise additional funds to address the remaining 11 outbuildings on the site, with work on the historic horse barn expected to begin later this year.

Alex Toldo, trustee of the Toldo Foundation, said visiting the Homestead offers a valuable history lesson.

“This is where people need to come to understand where Canadians actually started,” he said.

“I think people from around Essex County should spend a few hours here and understand the trials and tribulations of the early 1900s. We’re Canadian, and we’re proud of our heritage.”

The Homestead is open to visitors Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with admission by donation. Starting July 2, summer hours will extend to Tuesday through Sunday.

For Allaire, who also serves as an Amherstburg councillor, the reopening marks the culmination of years of hard work and a commitment to future generations.

“This place is amazing,” she told CTV News.

“Two years of hard work. Almost 200 years of preservation — and hopefully 200 more.”