User:SettlerSam/sandbox

Founded in 1990, in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Kawartha Settlers' Village is an open air museum that is home to over 20 historical homes, buildings, and structures from 1850-1930. Each building houses a collection of artifacts that is related historically to its original inhabitants or is a general replica demonstrating the lifestyle of early Kawartha settlers’.

Run by the Kawartha Region Arts and Heritage Society, the Village is a place where people come to experience culture, arts and heritage. The Village is home to different community groups including the Settlers' Village Quilters Guild, the Caygeon Carvers, and the Settlers' Village Artists.

Homes, Buildings, & Structures
The Murphy Barn - The Murphy Barn is the only original building to the property. The Murphy family settled in Bobcaygeon in the 1860’s after arriving from Ireland. In 1873, John and Mary-Ann Murphy purchased the farm plot. By 1900, it had become a prosperous dairy farm operated by their son Gerald and then his sons, Roy and Clayton as the Murphy Bros. Meadowbrook Dairy (Bobcaygeon's first dairy). Unfortunately, in 1936 a Tuberculosis outbreak was traced back to the Murphy farm and the entire herd had to be destroyed. When pasteurization became mandatory, the Murphy’s could not afford to install the equipment and were forced to close.

The barn’s granary and hayloft are now used for many of The Village's special events and displays their large collection of farm tools and artifacts. The stables also feature the original stanchions, manure gutters, and an assortment of agricultural implements.

The Henderson House - This house was built on Front Street for Robert Henderson and his family between 1910 and 1913 by William Grant, a local builder and supervisor of the Trent Waterways. Henderson was a successful blacksmith and worked out of his shop adjacent to this house. The Henderson House was the first building relocated to the Village in October 1990. Today, it serves as a place for local arts and crafts activities, archival collection, and a venue for community events.

The Duggan House - John and Ellen Duggan and their three daughters emigrated from County Cork, Ireland in 1835. When they arrived to Bobcaygeon, they rented a farmhouse until 1951, when they purchased their first home. The house that currently resides at Kawartha Settlers' Village is the second home of the Duggan family and was built in the 1870's. Originally located in North Verulam,  the house was relocated to Settlers' Village in 1992. Currently operated and maintained by "The Friends of the Duggan House" the house features many appliances and furniture of the time.

Outdoor Oven - Built by volunteers in 2010, the oven is a replica of what would have been used during the warmer months. The base of the oven was built using donated local stone and the top was constructed out of locally donated clay. This type of oven was fired twice; a wood fire would be lit in the oven and eventually, the hot coals would be pushed back and another fire was lit. The coals were then removed when the clay was fully heated, making the oven ready for baking.

The Shanty - The log shanty located at the Village is a reproduction of the initial type of building constructed by settlers’ in the area. When settlers’ first arrived, they would often stay in a canvas tent. Shortly thereafter, they would build temporary shanties to live in for the first winter or until they could build something larger. Afterwards, the shanty would then be used to house animals or store crops.

The Honey Shack - Beginning in the 1900's, honey producers would station their beehives at the edge of farmers' field and 'pay' the farmer for the privilege in honey. The honey shack was built in 2005 by volunteers and displays the different tools used during honey making.

The Implement Shed - Built in 2002, the implement shed was constructed as an example of an early pole barn. It is used to store and display farm equipment including a 1900's steam, powered thresher.

The Black Smith Shop - Built in 2003, the Black Smith Shop houses a vast collection of early blacksmith tools. During events, visitors can experience a live demonstration of blacksmithing.

The Wood Working Shop - Wood was plentiful in the early days and many tools and implements that settlers' needed were made from wood. By 1871, Bobcaygeon could boast 14 carpenters and their own cooper. Built by volunteers in 2009, the woodworking Shop is a replica used to house KSV's historic carpentry tools.

The Trappers Cabin - Bobcaygeon had its earliest beginning as a fur trading post as the surrounding country was ideal for fur-bearing wildlife. The cabin located at the Village was originally a guide shack for a local fishing resort. After its relocation in 1993, it was redesigned as a replica cabin used by fur trappers in this area.

The North Verulam Orange Lodge No.1418 - The Orange Lodge was a fraternal order which brought together members of the large, local community of early Irish Protestant settlers’ (and later included English and Scottish settlers'). The Orange Order of Branch No. 1410 was founded in this area in 1874 and the building that resides at KSV was built in 1891. The last regular meeting of North Verulam Orange Lodge No. 1410 was held on May 12, 1985. The Lodge is now maintained by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario East and houses memorabilia from other non-operational lodges.

The Kimble House - The Kimble House was built in the 1860's north of Bobcaygeon. Ross Kimble was the original owner but it was his brother, Levi Kimble, who lived in the home where his 16 children were raised. The Village acquired the House in 2011 and it is used as an education centre for their summer programs.

School House - Beginning in 1850 with the introduction of "The Charter of the Ontario School System", one room schools were built in each township. The typical one room schoolhouse would have students from grade 1 to grade 8. All of the students would be present in the winter months, however, when the farmers were able to work the land, many of the students would stay home and help. Eventually 13 one room schools were built in Verulam Township and 2 in the Village of Bobcaygeon.

The School House at Kawartha Settlers' Village was originally part of an early 1900’s cottage that was located on Sturgeon Lake. It was restored as a pioneer school house using desks and materials from older schools that are no longer in existence.

Fairbairn Church - Many of the first church buildings erected in the area were Methodist, such as the Fairbairn Church built in 1885. Methodism was the first denomination to reach those in ‘the backwoods.’ The Fairbairn Church was used by the congregation until the 1960's when it was closed due to a lack of parishioners. After the Church was closed, the building was sold to a nearby farmer, who used the Church as a barn. In 1996, it was donated to KSV and lovingly restored to its original state of simple beauty. Fairbairn Church is currently used for special events and holds the occasional service.

The Fire Hall - The Fire Hall is a replica of the original Bobcaygeon Fire Company Station, built prior to the 1900’s. It was situated on Bobcaygeon’s Middle Island just north of the locks. At the time, the Fire Company used horse-drawn steam engines and hand pumps. In 1934, the original hall was torn down to make way for the Post Office. The Fire Hall at the Village was built in 1995/1996 by the Bobcaygeon-Verulam volunteer firefighters. It is home to a 1930's gas powered fire truck, a horse drawn pumper, and a 1950's truck.

The Wray House - The Wray House is the oldest building on the property. Built in 1850, it was the home of the William Wray family and was lived in by four generations of the family. The House was donated to the Village in 1998 and was restored by the Settlers' Village Quilt Guild.

The Junkin House - This house was built in 1864 by Irish immigrants Thomas & Esther Junkin. Since the 1830’s, many of their relatives from Northern Ireland had already established various homesteads in the area. The house was lived in continuously until the 1960’s and was moved to the Village in 1993. The House is maintained by the Junkin Family Society and contains a collection of Junkin Family artifacts.

The General Store - In 1905, Mr. Jimmie hill built his harness shop on King St. E in Bobcaygeon. The shop was donated and moved to KSV in 1996 and turned into a general store. The back also contains an old post office and barber shop.

The Boyd Carriage House - This is the only building left from the Mossom BoydEstate which was originally on Canal St. East. It was constructed in the 1840’s and was used to house the horses, carriages, and automobiles of the Boyd family. The Carriage House displays different sleighs and cutters from the time period, an original dolls house from the Boyd mansion, and a 1902 WOOT.

The Boyd Shanty - The Shanty was built in 1910 by Silas Crowe on commission from W.T.C. Boyd, a son of Mossom Boyd. W.T.C. wanted a log shanty replica to show to his international guests. It was originally located on the Boyd’s Edgewood Estate on Canal St., which is now the site of Specialty Care Case Manor Nursing Home. In 2005, they donated the shanty to the Village where it became the KSV office.

The Muir House - The Muir House was built in 1868 in Digby Township by Robert Muir and was the temporary home of the Lindsay Museum. It was moved to Kawartha Settlers' Village in 2002 and is used as a rotating exhibit of artifacts that tell about some special aspect of local life.

The Jail Cell - The jail cell is from 1874. Shortly after Bobcaygeon was incorporated as a town in 1876, the jail was put in the Town Hall (currently the Bobcaygeon Lions Hall). The jail did not have a roof at that time and was generally only in use on Saturday nights to detain those accused of minor offenses. The Jail Cell was donated and transported to the Village in 1991.

Artifacts
Kawartha Settlers' Village boasts a collection of over 10,000 items including clothing, pictures, furniture, agricultural implements, and more.

Educational Programs
Following the Ontario Curriculum, Kawartha Settlers' Village offers school visits during June as well as summer camps. For more information about these services can be found on the website.

Visitor Information
Kawartha Settlers' Village is located at 85 Dunn Street in Bobcaygeon, Ontario. The museum is open daily from May to October and hours,admission rates, and additional information is available on the website.

Affiliations
The museum is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Heritage Information Network and the Virtual Museum of Canada.