Fans of Group of Seven artist A.J. Casson may know the Barrett Barn, located in Glen Williams, is featured in the 1930 painting 'Old Man in a Rocker.'
The structure was built in 1919 and has been altered over the years but, with the help of the Town of Halton Hills' Heritage Property Grant Program, work is underway to restore the barn, which was recently designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Current owners Dave and Dale Cox - renowned artists and animators - were delighted to learn their property was once a source of inspiration and have committed to the restoration of the barn's original features that have been lost through the years.
“A neighbour informed us that A.J. Casson had done a painting of the barn on one of his sojourns to our Glen. As collectors of his art, we recognized the significance of the barn as his model for a painting,” said Dave.
The couple has engaged heritage consultants ERA Architects Inc. to assist with the work.
“Restoring our heritage buildings helps maintain our sense of place, our uniqueness as a community,” said Mayor Ann Lawlor. “We all benefit from the Coxes passion. I am delighted that the Town is able to contribute a grant to help preserve this special structure that tells a local history story.”
Work on the restoration project has already begun. The first phase includes structural stabilization, repair of the existing metal roofing, and installation of a new rainwater system.
Future phases will include the restoration of features that have been altered over time, including the window on the first storey of the barn, as seen in Casson’s 1932 oil painting.
Given the extent of the undertaking, the work for the Barrett Barn is being done in phases, with plans to submit applications to the Town’s Heritage Property Grant Program each year for different parts of the project.
Learn more about the Town’s Heritage Property Grant Program at haltonhills.ca. The deadline for submissions is June 1.
