After years of planning and restoration work, the historic Canatara Cabin is officially open for visitors to see at the Lambton Heritage Museum.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on July 17.
The cabin is one of Lambton County's oldest surviving log buildings and is now the oldest building at the Grand Bend museum.
The cabin was originally built in Huron County in the 1830s and was carefully dismantled and floated down Lake Huron to a Lakeshore Road property in Sarnia in the 1930s, read a media release.
It was relocated to Canatara Park in 1971 and moved to the museum in 2020.
"The restoration of the Canatara Cabin is a tremendous example of what can be accomplished when governments, community organizations, donors and volunteers come together to preserve our shared heritage," said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott in a statement. "This historic building has been part of Lambton County's story for generations, and we are proud to ensure it will continue educating and inspiring visitors
for many years to come."
With help from community donations and government funding, over $107,000 was raised for the restoration project, according to the museum's website.
"This project represents years of planning, collaboration and dedication to preserving one of Lambton County's treasured historic buildings," said Curator/Supervisor Dana Thorne. "We are thrilled to welcome visitors into the restored cabin and share its incredible story with future generations."
Heritage architect John Rutledge led the restoration design to ensure the building's character was preserved.
The museum said the cabin's interior will include artifacts from the 1930s.
With the cabin's main floor completed and available for visitors to see, focus will now shift to the project's second phase: renovating the second floor.
Further details about the museum and its hours of operation can be found on its website.
The Seaway Kiwanis Club unveiled a replica of the cabin at Canatara Park in 2022.
