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Canatara Cabin on the move to Grand Bend next week

November 27, 2020

If you see an old log cabin making its way down the road towards Grand Bend next week, don’t be surprised.

The old log cabin at Canatara Park in Sarnia is on the move to the Lambton Heritage Museum next week.

The building is nearly 200 years old and has stood in Canatara Park since the 1970s. The city is building a replica of the building and has agreed to help move the original log cabin to the Grand Bend museum for about $50,000.

This will be the third move for the square log structure. It was originally built in Huron County, where it served as a private residence.

It was purchased by the Hanna/Spaulding family in the 1930s dismantled and floated down Lake Huron, then rebuilt on Lakeshore Road.

It was used as a family cottage for many years until the Hay family acquired the building and eventually donated it to the City of Sarnia in the early 1970s. It was moved to Canatara Park in May 1971, where it has served as a community gathering place for the last 49 years.

Next week, the cabin will be separated with the second floor and roof traveling to Grand Bend together followed by the first floor. The building will be reconnected at the museum. Officials say it will need “significant restoration work to ensure its heritage elements will be preserved,” according to Laurie Webb, manager of Museums, Gallery and Archives for Lambton County.

A group called Save the Canatara Cabin hopes to raise $100,000 for the work.

To learn more visit: lambtonmuseums.ca/canatara-cabin.

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