OTF Grant Supports Local Heritage Preservation

The Ontario government is investing $200,000 through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Capital grant stream to support critical restoration work at the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village.

This funding will allow the organization to repair the roofs of 13 historic buildings and the Workshop, and to restore the Print Shop exhibit—preserving local heritage and enhancing hands-on, curriculum-based learning opportunities for students and visitors from across Essex County.

“The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village is a cultural cornerstone of our community,” said Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex. “This investment supports the preservation of our history, promotes tourism, and helps deliver engaging educational experiences for young people in our region.”

The OTF Capital grant program helps non-profits like the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village improve their infrastructure so they can continue delivering essential services to the public. The restoration work funded by this grant will ensure these historical assets remain safe, accessible, and impactful for generations to come.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous support. This grant helps preserve not just structures, but the stories, craftsmanship, and heritage they represent,’ said Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village Chair Les Macdonald. “Thanks to this funding, future generations will be able to have the opportunity to explore and connect with our history.”

“This grant will help us continue our mission to preserve and share the stories of transportation and rural life in southwestern Ontario,” said Karolina Brozy, Curator of the Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village. “We’re grateful for the support from the Ontario government and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.”

These capital grants are part of the more than $28 million supporting 300 local programs and services that help deliver critical community programming across the province.

The capital program is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by supporting workers, businesses, communities and jobs in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty, while creating a solid foundation for a strong, resilient and competitive future.

“Across Ontario, non-profit organizations are delivering critical programming that is helping people train for new careers, stay active, learn new things and connect with their community – that’s why capital grant support is so important,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial we support homegrown experiences that build stronger communities, strengthen local economies and celebrate our collective identity. This funding will help ensure facilities and spaces are accessible, modern and central to communities across our province.”