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Fundraising goal is $525,000
As of the end of 2011, a total of $238,000 has been raised.
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Fairbairn House Heritage Centre
SPECIAL EVENTS
February 22, noon: The war of 1812 with guest speaker Victor Suthren headlines our Heritage Week meeting at the La Vallée restaurant - more info
Newsletter No. 9 (November 2011) now available.
See Activities for more information.
The Fairbairn House project is working to transform an 1860s farmhouse into a bilingual heritage centre for the Gatineau Valley and the hills around it. The house is located in the village of Wakefield in the Municipality of La Pêche, Quebec, not far from the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. It is an enduring legacy that has come to symbolize community efforts to preserve the rich history of the region.
Our first goal, to renovate the exterior of the house, protecting and preserving it for long-term use as a regional heritage centre, was reached in the summer of 2010. Now the focus is on raising funds to renovate the house interior.
YOU CAN HELP BY BECOMING A FAIRBAIRN PREMIER PARTNER. This program continues until renovations are completed. See Premier Partners for details. See more pictures.
MP Mathieu Ravignat visited Fairbairn House Monday, January 30th for a tour and an update on plans for the Heritage Centre. Standing, left to right, Michael Cooper, Municipal Councillor Louis Rompré, Anita Rutledge, Mr. Ravignat, Ken Bouchard, Jean laFlamme and Cynthia Gunn.
Fairbairn's first Outreach to Schools
From January to June 2011, Fairbairn House actively sponsored an educational project with two local schools. Grades 4 and 5 classes at Wakefield Elementary joined senior students at St. Michael's High School in Low to experience heritage in the digital age. See Fairbairn's first Outreach to Schools.
Next Steps for Fairbairn House
Interior renovations to the house have two main objectives. First, the new basement will become an autonomous, year-round community resource, providing two fully-equipped meeting rooms, a modern kitchen, washrooms, and an elevator for the handicapped. This basement area will become both seminar space for the Heritage Centre, and a welcome resource for rental to community groups and businesses.
Intended initially for three-season usage, both upper floors require insulation, electrical service and drywall, as well as refinished hardwood floors. The ground floor will house permanent exhibits, while the second floor will feature temporary exhibits on rotation with other museums.
| Pictures of the current interior | ||
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At the rear, the summer kitchen will become the main entrance, with a ramp to the verandah, a welcome area, information booth and boutique. The second floor of the kitchen with its gabled roof will provide office space for administration of the Centre.