Peterborough County has announced plans for a new agricultural heritage building at Lang Pioneer Village in Keene, along with a “Raise the Barn” fundraising campaign.
Plans for the new building, which will be built in a historically authentic barn style, include an agricultural “wall of fame”, displays of agricultural implements and equipment, a restoration workshop, and more.
The county anticipates that the agricultural heritage building will open its doors in 2017.
The idea for the new building came on the heels of the 2006 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Keene. The event, hosted by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, was attended by an estimated 100,000 people and brought around $25 million in economic benefits to the region.
Following the success of the plowing match, a legacy fund was endowed to the County of Peterborough to continue local education on the impact and importance of the area’s agriculture heritage.
The county expects that the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building will increase tourism to the area, appeal to local farm families, and help educate city and urban dwellers on the important of agriculture to the local economy.
“Agriculture is the backbone which Peterborough County was built on,” says J. Murray Jones, County Warden. “We need to ensure we preserve and re-tell the stories for years to come. This new barn will reflect upon our agricultural roots and enable us to continue to expand upon our offerings at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.”
The building’s style will be based on barns built by farmers in the area circa 1910, which will maintain historial authenticity and consistency with the other buildings at Lang Pioneer Village. However, without compromising authenticity, the building will also include modern technology so that it can be used for events and gatherings.
Specific plans for the new building include:
- the Peter Hamilton Agricultural Collection
- Peterborough County Agricultural Wall of Fame Gallery
- agricultural implements and equipment for display and operation demonstrations
- a large restoration workshop housing a steam engine, thrasher, tractors, and more
- a conservation Lab with viewing window
- a multi-purpose space with full technical capabilities to host workshops, theatre, live music, and education activities
- a commercial kitchen with multi-purpose use
- an outdoor courtyard.
While the legacy fund is supporting the building project — along with organizations like Lang Pioneer Village, Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, Fleming College, and more — Peterborough County is seeking additional support from local businesses, corporations, and farm families to help “Raise the Barn”. Sponsors will be recognized throughout the building.
“We’re extremely excited to launch the Raise the Barn campaign,” says Karen Jopling, Manager of Fundraising and Partnership Development in the County of Peterborough. “This new attraction will assist in telling our agricultural heritage story to residents and tourists. It will add to our tourism inventory and be an economic driver.”
To find out more about the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building, including how to sponsor or donate to the project, visit www.raisethebarnlpv.com, follow @RaiseTheBarnLPV or like the Facebook page.
All images courtesy of the County of Peterborough.
