Parks Canada Completes Restorative Work on Sir John Johnson House
News release
Infrastructure Investment helps protect one of Ontario’s oldest buildings
June 4, 2018 Williamstown, Ontario Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. Our national historic sites reflect the rich and varied heritage of our nation and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history.
Today, Parks Canada celebrated the completion of over $665 000 in restorative work on Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site, located in the historic town of Williamstown. One of the oldest surviving houses in present-day Ontario, it was built by Sir John Johnson, who is historically recognized for his encouragement of United Empire Loyalists to settle in the St. Lawrence River Valley after the American Revolution.
This infrastructure project addressed major stabilizing and exterior repairs to ensure structural integrity of the house. Work focussed on the building’s foundation and exterior wood elements, roof replacement, and the rehabilitation of windows and doors. Investments in preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of our national historic sites will protect our heritage and strengthen their appeal as destinations to celebrate our nation's achievements.
Through Parks Canada’s infrastructure investment, the site’s long time occupants, the Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee, are provided with the opportunity to invest in new visitor experience opportunities. Through immersive history days with local school groups, the committee helps to share the importance and impact of United Empire Loyalists settlement and Sir John Johnson's role.
Building on the structural repairs completed by Parks Canada, the Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee will also be investing in the restoration of two rooms on the ground floor, and they continue to raise funds for restoration work on the second story of the house to bring it back to a time period reflective of its 1700s origins. Restoration of the interior will create a better experience for Canadians and international travelers coming to discover the legacy of Sir John Johnson.
Through infrastructure investments, Parks Canada is protecting and preserving our treasured places, while supporting local economies, contributing to growth in the tourism sector, and strengthening their appeal as destinations to celebrate our nation.
Quotes
“These federal infrastructure investments give our past a future. The restorative work recently completed by Parks Canada has been transformative for the exterior of Sir John Johnson House and will help protect and preserve this treasured place. The house’s prominence in the town of Williamstown means the site will remain a focal point in community life, while efforts by the Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee will offer new opportunities for locals and tourists to further enjoy this historic home.”
Katherine Patterson
Field Unit Superintendent, Georgian Bay and Ontario East, Parks Canada
“Williamstown is a small, beautiful, historically important village. The founder Sir John Johnson, was probably the pre-eminent Loyalist leader, and arguably the founder of Eastern Ontario. Because of the extensive restoration work undertaken by Parks Canada, we now have an opportunity to make equally transformative changes in restoring the interior of the house and develop self-sustaining visitor opportunities at this national historic site.”
Lynn Lafave
President, Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee
Quick facts
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Built in Williamstown, Ontario between 1784 and 1792 as part of a mill site, Sir John Johnson House National Historic Site is significant for its architectural design and for being one of the oldest surviving buildings in Ontario.
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The Sir John Johnson Manor House Committee also includes the Glengarry Archives, with records dating as far back as the late 1700s.
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Parks Canada is investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, tourism, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This investment will ensure these cherished places are protected and secured for the future.
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Contacts
Leslie MacPherson
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit
Parks Canada
613-246-3841
leslie.macpherson@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca