"The house at the Log Farm was built by the Bradley family in the mid-1850s using logs and trees cut from the property itself."

At the official opening of the new Pioneer Pavilion with (L to R) NCC Board Chair Russell Mills, MP Arya, Ryan Orr, Larry Orr and NCC CEO Dr. Mark Kristmanson.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Log Farm at 670 Cedarview Dr., have opened the new Pioneer Pavilion in the Greenbelt as part of the Confederation Pavilions program for Canada’s 150th anniversary.

I was there, along with Dr. Mark Kristmanson, CEO of the NCC, Russell Andrew Mills, board chair of the NCC, and the Orr family to commemorate the occasion and learn more about pioneer life in the National Capital Region and some of the exciting programming planned at the Log Farm for Canada’s birthday celebrations.

The house at the Log Farm was built by the Bradley family in the mid-1850s using logs and trees cut from the property itself. The Bradley family farmed crops and livestock throughout the late 19th century before selling the farm in the early 1900s.

In 1966 the NCC acquired the farm as part of the Greenbelt. The Log Farm is the last remaining log complex of its kind in the Greenbelt, with some outbuilding from the time have been brought there from other locations over the years.

Today, the Farm is leased and operated by Ryan Orr. Mr. Orr volunteered at the Farm in the 1990s as a young man, and now works to keep the pioneer spirit of the Ottawa area alive for future generations to appreciate.

It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Orr and his family; I can’t wait to see what exciting programs they have in store!