Preserving Our Rural Heritage – One Barn at a Time
Since 1978, the John R. Park Homestead has welcomed thousands of visitors as a living museum and conservation area, offering a glimpse into 19th-century rural life. In 2025, thanks to generous donors, we celebrated the once-in-a-lifetime restoration of the historic home of John and Amelia Park. And, thanks to your generosity, restoration of the historic Horse Barn is expected to begin later this year. Now, we need your help to complete the story.
Help Restore the Homestead Barns
Why Your Support Matters
The Homestead’s barns are more than buildings — they are living classrooms, community gathering spaces, and symbols of our agricultural heritage. Each one plays a vital role in education, conservation, and cultural programming:
Home to beloved sheep Maple, Sugar, and Taffy, and a cornerstone of our livestock program.
The Calf Barn (1880s)
The Hog Barn (1840s):
One of the oldest structures on site, now a hub for educational programs and the iconic Maple Market.
The Grain Barn (1860s-70s):
A former teaching space, now used for open artifact storage, the costume collection, events, and volunteer activities.
The Tobacco Barn (1850s):
Once used for agriculture, now the curatorial heart of the Homestead.
More about the Essex Region Conservation Foundation:
A 2022 architectural review identified critical restoration needs:
• Structural and foundation repairs
• Restoration of wood siding, windows, and doors
• Restoration of original hardware
• Pest protection (e.g., powder post beetles)
• Safety upgrades and repainting!
Cost Estimates for Barn Restoration
Calf Barn - $124,000
Hog Barn - $100,000
Grain Barn - $43,000
Tobacco Barn - $45,000
Total Barn Cost Estimate - $312,000
How you can help!
Your donation will help preserve these irreplaceable pieces of our shared history. Every dollar brings us closer to restoring these barns — and ensuring future generations can experience the magic of the Homestead.
Ps – Love it? Protect it forever! A gift in your will can have a tremendous impact in ensuring the Homestead will be here for people to love and learn from for generations to come. Want to learn more? Contact us at foundation@erca.org.
What Needs to Be Done
Historic barns like these have often been described as ‘the cathedrals of rural Ontario’, and their protection is an important connection to our rural heritage. To ensure that the historic barns at the John R. Park Homestead and their important connection to our history is preserved, significant investment is required.