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 January 2013

Hello Friends of Freeman Station,

Last year was a big year for Freeman Station, as this beautiful historical building was gently moved to its new highly visible home on Fairview Street just west of Brant Street, adjacent to the Burlington Fire Department. To just get to this stage several fundraising events were held, framed Freeman station prints sold or auctioned, T-shirts & calendars sold, donations from many generous Friends of Freeman station were received, and Friends of Freeman station memberships were sold to those in our community and surrounding areas who were all concerned enough to have our station saved when its days certainly seemed to be numbered and demolition was imminent.  On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank you all for your efforts.  We’ve come a long way, but there is still much more that needs to be done.

In the coming months, restoration will begin, but first Freeman Station needs a foundation under the building, and that costs money. Frankly, we don’t have enough money,  and that is holding us back from moving forward as quickly as we want. We would all like to see a finished  restored train station soon. Once the money is raised for the foundation, we will have it  constructed  as quickly as possible, then our restoration volunteers who have been patiently waiting can finally begin work on the interior and exterior of the station to eventually  bring the building back to its former beauty .

We need everyone to renew their membership for 2014 as quickly as possible. Your help has brought us this far, your renewal will help take us to our goal that much quicker. The sooner you renew, then we will be just that much closer to completing the foundation.  The cost is only $10.00 for each annual membership. Please consider purchasing additional memberships that can be given as gifts to family or friends.

Please mail your cheque to: Friends of Freeman Station, 3023 New Street, PO Box 91536, Roseland Plaza, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4L6, payable to: “Friends of Freeman”.

Some members who bought memberships late in 2013 will not have to renew.  Those memberships commenced January 1, 2014.   At a recent Board of Directors meeting, it was agreed that memberships will now be aligned to the calendar year, rather than the fiscal year, which has created a few memberships that will be slightly longer than 12 months.

Donations are also welcomed and those greater than $25.00 will receive a charitable tax receipt. Donations can be mailed to the same address as memberships, and please include your return address.

Friends of Freeman Station would like to grow the membership, so please pass the word around to family and friends and encourage them to become members, or forward this email to others who are also concerned about Freeman Station. Those who wish to become new members can contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fill out the form that can be printed off as a Pdf from our website. The link is below.

 The Board of Directors for Freeman station is now looking for a small army of volunteers to look after a variety of upcoming fun projects in 2014.  If you wish to donate some of your time to Friends of Freeman station, please let us know by contacting us at:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.      We would love to have you, as the train conductor once said, “ALL ABOARD”.

 Please check our website for additional information and updates.

 Thank you,

 Mark Gillies

 Membership Chairman

 FOFS Secretary Reg Cooke mans the table at the  RBG train show on December 8th.

"WE ARE HOME"!

Thanks to those who helped us get this far!

 Upcoming Events!

January 24-31: A Freeman station table will be set up in the foyer of the Burlington Central Library where the public can view pictures and pick up our brochures and other information anytime during library open hours

Jan. 26, 2014, 10 – 3:30: We will have a display at the model railway show at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Road South, Ancaster. Details can be found at http://ancasteragriculturalsociety.ca/calendar/day.php?date=20140126.

Feb. 1, 2014, 10 - 4: We will once again be participating in the Burlington Heritage Fair at the Burlington Central Library. Details can be found at http://www.bpl.on.ca/calendar_item/burlington-heritage-fair.

Feb. 25, 2014: Our Past-President Les Armstrong will be making a presentation at Burlington Central Library at 7 p.m. as part of Heritage Month activities. To register, contact the library at 905.639.3611 ext 1321.

Mission Statement!

It is the mandate of the Friends of the Freeman Station group to...

1. Secure a location for the Freeman Station.

2. Restore the station and oversee its ongoing preservation, including seeking official heritage designation.

3. Work with local community organizations and individuals to secure compatible community uses for the station, including but not limited to display of community artifacts (particularly train memorabilia); meeting space for community non-profit groups; and other uses deemed suitable and compatible by the Friends of Freeman Station board.

4. Seek opportunities to educate residents, especially school children, about Burlington’s early rail history through displays and events at the station.

5. Engage in fundraising activities to secure goods, services and funds for the ongoing restoration, use and upkeep of the Freeman Station.

6. The Friends of Freeman Station shall be carried on without purpose of gain for its members and any profits or gains to the organization shall be used in promoting its objectives.

The Freeman Station, formerly the Burlington Junction Station of the Grand Trunk Railway, located in Burlington, Ontario, was constructed in 1906 and is considered a fine example of buildings of that era. It has been recognized for its architectural and historic significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Heritage Burlington.