Freeman Station to Officially Rejoin Burlington's 'Family of Museums', Council Unanimously Approves
At our May 21 meeting, Burlington Council unanimously approved having the City assume responsibility for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of Freeman Station.See the approved full motion from Council, My Take, and the associated staff report and related documents below — as well as additional background information further down this post.
APPROVED MOTION:
- Direct the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture to assume responsibility for the operation, upkeep and maintenance of Freeman Station after the sunset of the Friends of Freeman Station as a non-profit charitable organization; and
- Direct the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture to report back to committee and council with detailed costing on a range of options for the sustainable operation of Freeman Station by September 2024.
MY TAKE:My first motion as a Councillor in January 2011 was to halt the proposed demolition of the Freeman Station to give time for the community to step up and save it. And they did! Over many years, volunteers found a location, built the foundation, restored the inside, collected artifacts and opened the doors for the community to learn more about our rail history. Volunteers have been operating the station for us, and now they’re asking us to take back what the City already owns, adding it back to our family of museums. I’m pleased this was supported unanimously by Council. We operate museums to tell our stories of Burlington – stories only we can and will tell. We invest in our museums as part of our community memory and heritage.
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To read the staff report and related supporting documents, please click/tap the links below:
- Staff report: RCC-09-24 Proposed next steps for the operation of Freeman Station.pdf
- Appendix: RCC-09-24 Appendix A.pdf
- Staff memo regarding next steps: Memo- Freeman Station (002).pdf
BACKGROUND:Freeman Station stands as a testament to Burlington's rich railway history, dating back to its construction in 1906 by the Grand Trunk Railway. Originally serving as a vital transportation hub for surrounding communities, the station faced the threat of neglect until concerned residents formed the Save Our Station Committee in 1985. Their efforts culminated in successful restoration initiatives, preserving the station's historic integrity.In 2005, the City of Burlington acquired ownership of the Grand Trunk Railway Station, known as Freeman Station, at no cost. Subsequently, an ad hoc committee comprising citizens and City Council members spearheaded renovation and relocation efforts. This endeavor led to the establishment of the Friends of Freeman Station (FOFS) in 2011, a non-profit licensed charitable organization entrusted with the moving, restoring and managing the operations of Freeman Station.Under a license agreement with Ashland Canada Corp. and later Solenis Canada ULC, Freeman Station found a new home, where FOFS restored and developed the site for the public to enjoy. The restoration journey, marked by dedication from volunteers and enthusiasts, reached a milestone on Canada Day, 2017, with the station's official reopening to the public.Freeman Station remains a cherished site, with the potential of showcasing exhibits on Burlington's railway history and providing a venue for small community events. Despite its cultural significance, FOFS encounters major challenges. As a non-profit organization reliant on external support, FOFS faces funding constraints and operates solely with volunteer efforts.Recognizing the need for sustainable stewardship, FOFS initiated discussions with the City of Burlington in February 2023, seeking the transition of management and operation responsibilities to the municipality. This initiative was formalized through a board motion in March 2023, signaling FOFS's intention to dissolve and transfer ownership to the City.Subsequent to consultations with FOFS, the City of Burlington took steps to engage Burlington Museums regarding the assumption of responsibility for Freeman Station's operation, upkeep, and maintenance. In November 2023, report RCC-11-23 directed the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture (RCC) to commence discussions with Burlington Museums Board, paving the way for a potential transition of stewardship.