Heritage in Action: Willowbank at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton, NS.

On-site at the Fortress of Louisbourg, attaching the shutters.

Willowbank is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with @parks.canada Canada, alongside @hollandcollege College and @algonquincollege, to support restoration efforts at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

This collaboration gives students meaningful, hands-on experience in heritage conservation, guided by industry leaders and Parks Canada conservators. Willowbank students recently completed the construction of historic shutters at the Bluma and Bram Appel Barn at Willowbank under the instruction of Willowbank Faculty Doug Vickers and Nathan Schafer, learning carpentry tools and skills, as well as techniques for creating historically sympathetic details.

This week six Willowbank students of the class of 2027, travelled cross-country to install the shutters on site.

@alanna.j.wilson, Willowbank student, reflected on how rewarding the project has been:

“Thanks to our instructors and the Parks Canada staff, we had a unique opportunity to complete work for a National Historic Site. How many students can say that? We are grateful for such an experience!”

Another of our students, @ellensa4, gave an interview to @cbc News about working with her hands, the Canadian heritage field, and the need for greater public interest in the field (we couldn’t agree more Ellen).

And the final product!

This partnership highlights the impact of collaboration between educational institutions and national heritage organisations — investing in both cultural legacy and the next generation of skilled conservation professionals.

Congratulations to everyone involved and watch this space for future developments for this partnership!