Barrett Barn Heritage Restoration in Progress

HALTON HILLS, ON – Fans of Group of Seven artist AJ Casson may know that the Barrett Barn located in Glen Williams is featured in Casson’s c.1930 painting “Old Man in a Rocker”. Current owners, Dave and Dale Cox (renowned artists and animators) were delighted to learn that their barn had been a source of inspiration. “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.

Built in 1919, the barn has been altered over the years, with several structural issues throughout. However, the owners have undertaken a massive restoration of the barn with some support provided through the Town’s Heritage Property Grant Program. “In 1978 when we came with the realtor to the home in the pouring rain, we both knew that it would be ours,” said Dale, adding “The barn in front of us and the house on the embankment and what we later found out to be 1/2 of an acre which went as far as our neighbours to the south.” 

Dave and Dale have committed to the restoration of the barn and its original features that have been lost through the years. Passionate community members (chosen as the Citizens of the Year for Glen Williams in 2015 and Georgetown in 2016), the couple have engaged heritage consultants ERA Architects Inc. to restore the barn, (recently designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act), to its former glory. “It was our barn alright and this is the reason we want to preserve the barn and expect to live here happily ever after," noted Dave.

“Restoring our heritage buildings helps maintain our sense of place, our uniqueness as a community,” said Mayor Lawlor. “We all benefit from the Cox’s 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, and the first phase of work includes structural stabilization, repair of the existing metal roofing, and installation of a new rainwater system. Future phases of the work 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, 2023.

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto. The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

Visit the Town's website.

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