The log cabin was situated on Lot 34, Con 4 Bruce Township on Bruce County Road # 20. Hindle Vance was born in 1849 in Fetmanagh, Ireland was one of a family of thirteen. By 1860, he was living in Paisley, Ontario. He married Mary Osborne, and their children were: Sam, John, Alex, Ernest, Mame and Edith. John Vance (1875-1950) married Jane (1877-1937) and lived in this log cabin.

    In 1998, Lucan Area Heritage purchased the log cabin from Wilfred Mahood of Kincardine and Cliff Brindley for $20,000.00. We took the roof off and laid it on the upstairs floor so it would fit under the hydro lines. We hired Murray Wilson from Port Elgin and his crew who loaded the cabin, and on Aug. 11, 1998, moved it to Lucan for $4,400.00.  We paid $600.00 for a police escort.

    The village of Lucan Council agreed to rent us the former Lucan Water Tower site for $1.00 a year for 20 years. Jeff Young did the excavating, and McCanns poured the concrete foundation which was all done before the cabin arrived. Doug Owens took charge of making the necessary improvements. 

    We put the roof back together and covered it with cedar shingles. Fred Mardlin donated two 40 ft. cedar logs that we cut in two and replaced four original logs that were decayed beyond repair. All the old chinking was removed. The special chinking on the outside cost $1,600.00, and we paid professionals another $1,600.00 to install it. Local brick layer, Harry Willems, his son, Harry Jr., and Harry Hardy, used mortar to chink the inside free of charge. 

    Fourteen layers of wallpaper were stripped off the inside walls. A verandah, including a wheelchair ramp, was built on the east side of the cabin and was completed in time for the official opening Aug. 21, 1999. 

    Local radio announcer, Peter Garland, was master of ceremonies. Attending the event were sisters, Edna (Vance) McInnis, born 1906, and Greta (Vance) Inkster, born 1916 in the cabin. Ribbon cutters Linda Thompson, Mike Anderson, Autin Hodgins, Harry Hardy, and Brad Greaves, were introduced and piped onto the verandah by bagpipe player Roy Ellis. The green ribbon was donated by Marguerite McRoberts. Rev. Bruce Pocock, minister of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, said a prayer to bless the log cabin. Ruth and Bert Claessens sang, "Bless This House", and "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" accompanied on the piano by Jackie Martens.

    Reeve Earl French brought greetings and congratulations on behalf of the council. President Charles Corbett of the Irish Benevolant Society donated a cheque of $500.00 to President Sally Hodgins. Ray Zinn, Ross Scafe, and Fred Ramsay, played old time tunes on their violins accompanied on the piano by Fred's daughter, Winnie Robicheau. Cake was donated by Celeda McComb, and lemonade was served to about 300 guests. 

    During the fall of 1999, we built a summer kitchen (12'X25') on the west side of the cabin. We believe the log cabin was built about 1860, and we have tried to furnish it to match that era. 

Lucan Area Heritage 192 Frank Street,  Box 427, Lucan, Ontario,  N0M 2J0, Canada

Marg Paul President: 227- 1087 Muriel Culbert Treasurer: 227- 4766 Sheila Hodgins Secretary: 227-1812

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