Woodworking is a skill as old as time!

Burlington saw a few sawmills during the 1800s in the Cedar Springs and Zimmerman community. In Zimmerman’s case, the presence of two large industries such as grain milling and lumber production allowed the village to grow and thrive. It was a testament to the importance of the lumber industry in early Canada.

Although the sawmills eventually shut down, a new lumber business emerged and became a household name throughout Canada. Nicholas & Lumber’s story started with Allen S. Nicholson, a local man from Waterdown. He purchased an existing lumber business from James Harrison in 1908. In the beginning, Nicholson mainly operated as a lumber retailer for builders. Over time, Nicholson noticed whenever a window was required, a space was left to be filled in later by carpenters. Recognizing this as a great business opportunity, Nicholson introduced the first line of standard-sized frames and windows that revolutionized the building trade in 1915. Under his direction, Nicholson would go on to become one of the first specialized building component companies!

Certain members of the Nicholson family went on to pursue other interests. Richard Nicholson branched off to start RAN, a manufacturer of plastic horticulture containers for Canada’s greenhouses and nursery markets. The name underwent some changes until it became known as KORD, who is still in operation. As the greenhouse market shifted, they focused on creating a new line of sustainable fiber solutions with their patented moulded pulp slurries. They stood out from competitors with these products that are composed of high-quality 100% recycled material. The KORD legacy is told through the artifacts of one of Nicholson’s long-term employees: Joseph Galea.