Fred Goodfellow: The Visionary Behind The Heritage Park
Fred Goodfellow, born in 1920 and passing away in 1999, was more than just a man; he was a teacher, an inspirer, and a dedicated collector who left an indelible mark on the heritage of Northwestern Ontario. His legacy lives on through The Heritage Park, a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving the past for future generations.
In 1961, Fred embarked on a journey that would change the face of heritage preservation in the region. He purchased the land where The Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park (OPHP) now stands, and with his own hands, he dismantled the old Biloski Barn on Oliver Road and meticulously reconstructed it on the site. This labor of love became his Centennial Project …
Duke Hunt Museum
In 1952 the Duke Hunt Museum was conceived after a meeting of the council of the municipality of Paipoonge. The story I was told was that a pioneer couple had passed away and there was no place to put the items they left behind with no family members to receive them. After some discussion at the council meeting about the dispersal of the contents of the farm two of the council members Herb Gammond and Archie Hanna continued the discussion on the way home and came up with the idea of opening a Museum to house all those special artefacts that tell the story of our beginnings in the area.
H.K. (Duke) Hunt was the son of the first settlers in the area and had collected a large number of artefacts himself an so he was approached by council to set up a municipal Museum.
Russ Wanzuk: The Collector Behind Russ’s Garage
Russ’s Garage is named in honour of Oliver Paipoonge resident and car collector Russ Wanzuk.
He’s donated a collection of vintage automobiles, locally-run race cars, soap box derby cars, pedal cars and a significant collection of other auto memorabilia.
A new 50′ by 100′ building to house the exhibit was completed spring 2022.
Buddies of the Brill
After the Second World War the Canadian Car Foundry (CCF) in what was then Fort William was slated to close. To keep the plant running (CCF) partnered with the American Car Foundy – (ACF) Brill Motors of Philadelphia to retool the plant and start producing electric powered Trollys.
In March of 1945 design and construction of the Brill Trolleys began.
The Port Arthur and Fort William transit systems purchased and started service with the Brill Trolleys in late 1947.
In 1970 both cities amalgamated into what is now Thunder Bay and the final run of trolleys in Thunder Bay was late 1972.
Heritage Buildings
Slate River Community Hall
Originally constructed as 1904 as a school house. It was constructed out of brick and cost a total of $1925. It was originally located on highway 130. Growth in the area required two new school houses. The hall was purchased by the Slate River Women’s Institute and used as a community hall for social events, meetings and community functions. Shortly after WWII it was moved to a site next to the Slate River School. Three teams of horses and a stump machine were used in the winter months to help with mobility. The brocks were removed and purchased for the Gammond farm home. In 1960 the hall moved again this time directly across from the Slate River School. Cement foundation was used and the hall was enlarged with volunteer labour local residents and organizations. It served as a community hall until 1999 when it closed. In April 2000 it was moved to the Founders’ Museum and Pioneer Village. In 2022 the Duke Hunt Museum was moved from the Rosslyn Village School and now resides in the Slate River Community Hall.
Church of the Messiah
The Church of the Messiah was established in Kakabeka in 1937. In 1987, the Church of the Messiah closed due to the decline in the number of parishioners. The building was later moved to the Founder’s Museum, a pioneer village (Now Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park).
The church of the messiah was moved from Kakabeka Falls, Ontario to its present location in the year 2000.
The Anglican Church in Kakabeka started in 1912 as part of the Murillo Mission from St. James, Murillo. In 1938 this building was turned over to the Episcopalians/Anglicans and moved their church to Clerque Street. The building was later turned into a church hall when a former school was purchased and moved to the village to use as a church.
Unfortunately few years later in 1953 both buildings were destroyed by fire. That summer the present church of the messiah was built by volunteers the church closed its doors on September 7 1986. In 1987 the church was turned over to the Oliver Historical Society to be used as a museum and was moved off the property. in 2000 Founders’ Museum moved the church from its preset location to become part of Founders’ Museum and Pioneer Village
SS#1 Conmee School House
S.S. #1 Conmee School House
By L.O. Pajamaki
S.S. = School Section
Our Storied Past the legacy of Conmee Township
The first school to be built in Conmee Township was the S.S. #1 Conmee this one room schoolhouse was built in 1909. The schoolhouse was built by volunteers and was location in the S ½ of Lot 2 Concession 2 a military lot in those days. This structure was made of hewn logs. The first teacher was the Rev. Victor Parker. The first trustees were W. Caldwell and Manfred Colpitts. Children going to the school house were: Caldwells, Kate and Jack Enders, Marion Arril, Don Torrie, May and Ethel Colpitts. The schoolhouse was destroyed by fire the following year (1910) and it was two years before another school was built
In 1912 the second S.S. #1 Conmee Schoolhouse was built. It was built on the N ½ of Lot B Concession 2. This structure was again a one-room school. The first teacher was Albert Yoell who was paid $35.0 per month. Other early teachers were Pearl Brock, Ruth Ditmars, Dick Pifer, and Hazel Pifer. In the early years teachers could not always be hired, some only stayed for two months. Teaching in rural areas was not too appealing to most; you would have to board at someone’s house and perhaps walk miles to get to the schoolhouse. The rural areas were somewhat isolated compared to the city and winters so cold that classes were conducted during the winter months for the first few years. The school was heated by a box stove for many years. It was the practice for the first person to arrive to light the stove. The students would gather around the stove for the better part of the morning to receive their lessons. This was because the school did not become comfortably warm until midday
Biloski Barn
Moving the “Red Barn” to Founders
One of the buildings at founder referred to as the red barn was a massive undertaking and I have no way of knowing whether the account was accurate as it was given to me at the time but I will recount its story as it was told to me, here:
Sometime in the 19t0s there was a undertaking to a University in Thunder Bay and much talking and research going into the project. The story was told me as follows:
The Biloksi family had come to this country from Europe and had purchased land on the Oliver Road with the intention of farming. They had built a home there and the barn was erected also. I am not sure who built the house and the barn, perhaps a previous owner. Mr Biloski had 2 sons who wanted to go to university but this was not offered to them here and they would to go to Winnipeg to finish their education. He offered the property to the university board if they would build the university on the site. The deal was made and the university was built. I am not sure how Fred Goodfellow acquired the barn but he did and then proceeded to move it from Oliver Road out to founders property at the time he was driving a small Austin mini car very tiny and so to the move the barn he took it apart piece by piece and loaded each time on a small trailer attached to the Austin he hung a red flag on the end of the timber and would drive out to the property to unload it and go back for another.
STAFF
JEAN MAYO – CURATOR
RAQUEL ROBBINS- ASSISTANT CURATOR
OLIVIA WOOD- ASSISTANT CURATOR
DON – MUSEUM STAFF
CADEN – MUSEUM STAFF
2026 COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
BERNIE KAMPHOF
BOARD MEMBERS
GLENN BURTON, CHAIR
KATHERINE COUZELIS, VICE CHAIR
MARG SCHWEITZER, AT LARGE
ARLENE GREEN, AT LARGE
CLIFF REDDIN, AT LARGE
FRIENDS OF OPHP
ROD SPICER
REBECCA ERAS
