Rural northern Ont. museum restoring a piece of local history

Small northern museum restoring old logging boat A small museum in Timmins, Ont., is working to restore an old logging boat in hopes of displaying some local history.

A small rural museum in northern Ontario is working to restore an old logging boat in hopes of displaying some local history.

The Alligator The Connaught & District Historical Society Pioneer Museum has started refurbishing a roughly 100-year-old vessel called The Alligator. A photo of their progress on June 28, 2024. (Sergio Arangio/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Last year, the Connaught & District Historical Society Pioneer Museum started refurbishing a roughly 100-year-old vessel called ‘The Alligator.’

The ship once helped supply the Connaught neighbourhood’s once-booming logging industry.

Officials involved in the project told CTV News that they have already replaced much of the rotten wood siding and treated the vessel to a new paint job.

The group said work on the top and interior of the ship will take place throughout the year.

“Bought by Woolings in 1928, hauling the logs from Nighthawk and to keep the operation going,” said Rheal Dupuis, the president of the Connaught & District Historical Society.

“We wanted to move it here, to show the people of Connaught about the lumber industry and that it was a busy place in its heyday.”

The historical society said plans are underway to build an observation deck to allow people to peek inside the boat and it's hoping to restore the vessel’s mechanics for demonstrations.

Officials said work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“That’s the goal,” said Dupuis.