Park House raising funds for Pensioner’s Cottage repairs
- Ron Giofu
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22
An historic part of the Park House Museum is starting to decay and efforts are underway to prevent that from continuing.
The pensioner’s cottage at the rear of the main building is experiencing some deterioration as siding and doorframes are rotting and getting into the structure. Efforts are now being made to fundraise to cover the costs of repairing the structure.
“We don’t know how far it goes,” said curator Kat Bezaire.
Bezaire said funds raised will go directly to restoration efforts “to bring the cottage back to its original glory, as a cornerstone of our community’s history.”Costs are estimated at $9,000 and Bezaire stated they will specifically be putting all funds raised into the restorative work including replacing the rotten siding, repainting, and taking measures to ensure that the rest of the building remains intact.
“As this is a historic structure, we often face challenges with sourcing materials that fit our specific era. The funds will also be allocated to ensure the utmost historical accuracy,” she said.
Bezaire stated the pensioner’s cottage at the Park House Museum is one of two left in existence in Amherstburg, the remains of the legacy of British soldiers.
The other pensioner’s cottage is at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada.
According to historical information sent by Bezaire, upon retirement from the British Army, the Army provided pensioners with four-room cottages for their residences.
A total of 88 cottages were built around the Amherstburg area and occupied by British Army Pensioners, with 87 of them being alike and one special one created for a prominent Sergeant Major.
The cottage at the Park House site originally belonged to Matthew Pollard and first sat on Lot 30 on Fort St. on the south side of the road. The pensioner’s cottage dates back to 1851.
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“The restoration project will ensure that the museum can regain its opportunity to use the building for educational purposes. In the building, we have a reproduction tinsmith shop where the public gets to learn about the process of tinsmithing and participate in this lost art. Tinsmithing is one of the museum’s key fundraisers as we sell reproduction tinware,” said Bezaire.
The pensioner’s cottage at the Park House Museum also houses the original printing press from The Amherstburg Echo, a weekly newspaper that was first published in 1874. The Echo published its last edition in October 2012.
“The press is operational and used for teaching demonstrations,” she said.
Bezaire added “this cottage is of vital historical significance, and is currently in need of restorative work in order for the museum to be able to continue to immerse visitors in its history.”
Donations of $25 or greater are eligible for a tax receipt. Bezaire added proceeds from tin sales are also being put towards cottage repairs.
Proceeds from tin sales are going to the cottage, all proceeds from the BBQ are going to the cottage. Other fundraising events are planned, one of which is a barbecue near the cottage Aug. 30 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Hot dogs are $3 each, while chips are $2, water $1 and a combo is $5.
In addition to it being a fundraiser, Bezaire said they will bring awareness
to the importance of the cottage’s history that day.
Donations can also be made through the Park House Museum’s website at www.parkhousemuseum.com/donate or through a GoFundMe page called “Restore Our Historic Pensioner’s Cottage.” The direct link for the GoFundMe is www.gofundme.com/f/restore-our-historic-pensioners-cottage.
The Park House Museum is located at 214 Dalhousie St. For information, call 519-736-2511.
Park House raising funds for Pensioner’s Cottage repairs
By Ron Giofu
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