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  • Outdoors

    Interpretive Centre, Porches, and Outbuildings

Interpretive Centre

The Oakridge Interpretive Centre was built between 1991-1992.

  • 4017 (2)

    Oakridge Farm Property - Construction of the Oakridge Interpretive Centre

    Phase II of the Ireland House at Oakridge Farm consisted of the construction of the Oakridge Interpretive Centre.

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    Oakridge Farm Property - Construction of the Oakridge Interpretive Centre

    The new building expanded the interpretive and programming capabilities of the Museum with three new artifact storage rooms, a dedicated program room, an interpretive gallery, and office space.

Porches

The front and back porches were restored between 1992-1993.

  • North Porch 1

    Back Porch - During Restoration

    Historic photographs of the original back porch were used to rebuild a replica porch along the north face of the house.

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    Back Porch Awning - During Restoration

    Replica pillars and an awning were rebuilt to reflect the house’s historical design.

  • Front Porch - Before Restoration

    The stairs leading to the original front door of the Ireland House were in a state of disrepair.

  • IH Reno016 - Copy (3)

    Front Porch - During Restoration

    The front porch’s stairs, support pillars and awning were fully rebuilt and painted white to match the front door.

Outbuildings

The Drive-shed and Cottage were restored between 1992-1993.

  • Drive shed

    Drive-shed - Exterior

    The drive-shed was restored for use as a storage area and programming space for outdoor events.

  • Cottage interior

    Cottage - Interior

    The cottage was not restored to an interpretive generational era like the rest of the property.

     

    Instead, the cottage was used as office space before the construction of the Oakridge Interpretive Centre in 1992.

Summer Kitchen

The Summer Kitchen underwent a restoration project in the fall of 2021.

  • Summer Kitchen Doors

    Summer Kitchen - Doors

    Squirrels posed a problem to the structure, gnawing away at the wood.

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    Summer Kitchen - Interior Doors

    Extra wood pieces and mesh wiring were used to temporarily seal the entrance until the restoration work was able to start.