By Gazette Staff
March 20th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Moved and completely refurbished the Freeman station now had a padlock on the door.
If you had planned on visiting Freeman Station on Fairview Street, next to the Fire Station, you would have found the doors locked.
The place hasn’t been open to the public for more than a year.
The Gazette understood that the administration of the station was in the hands of Museums Burlington. In an interview with Kimberly Watson, Director of Museums Burlington, we learn that was not the case.
Decision related to Freeman Station were now in the hands of the city – and the city doesn’t appear to have any plans. All the city is doing at this point in time is checking to see that no damage has been done to the property.
The only news in more than a year was the cock-a-mammy idea Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman has to move the station from its present location to Ireland Farm on Guelph Line. It was clear that Sharman had never visited the site; had he done so he would have been aware of the diorama created in the basement, paid for by a Teachers Association. They might want to know what was being done with their very generous donation.
Jane McKenna was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022, on hand for a photo op at a Freeman Station event.
Allan Harrington did a nice piece on just how stupid the Sharman suggestion was – link below on that article.
The men (and a few women) who put in thousands of hours and raised thousands of dollars to completely refurbish the Station are ticked at the way the city is treating the gift those people gave the city.
Council members and other ‘dignitaries were quick to show up when there was a photo op.
Related news story:
Moving Freeman Station to Ireland Farm
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I remember going to a meeting to decide where the Freeman Station should be located. Prior to this meeting it had been decided that this station was to be demolished.
It was Marianne Meed-Ward and a few other people who decided that this building should be restored for people to see. Some funding was found and of course the dedication of the volunteers who did most of the work resulted in the restoration of the building.
Then came – Where to locate this building?
Some suggested Spencer Smith Park, then at the small park near the Burlington Art Gallery. The public at the time rejected both of these locations. That is why it is in its present location.
In retrospect it should probably have been located on the same grounds as the Joseph Brant Museum.
Not surprised at this outcome. This location is stupid. It should have ended up in LaSalle park by the wading pool. It would have been a great gathering spot for families, read a plaque on its significance, get a little history lesson then buy a snow cone through the ticket window,
The city of Burlington needs to start making some decisions about this instead of letting the beautiful landmark deteriorate.
I totally agree!
Instead of preserving necessary heritage properties in our city, our current mayor and council prefers to spend our property tax dollars wastefully on multiple metal benches around the city; unecessary LBGTQ pole wraps; refurbishing of parks and equipment at alarming rates before they are needed; key to the city awards; awards for anything and everything; all expense paid trips to Japan and the Netherlands etc. etc.
Time for a complete turn over and direction for what is truly important in Burlington in the October 2026 Election.