We Bought It for the Land… Then Discovered 120 Years of Stories

We’re uncovering the 120-year history of The Shack — a heritage home restoration in Lake Park near Carleton Place, Ontario. Subscribe and follow the journey. Grab your tea and settle in for our first Shoreline Social! ☕🏠 When we first bought “The Shack” in 2023, it was boarded up, covered in cobwebs, and looked like a total tear-down. We originally bought it just for the land, but as we peeled back the layers — and the poison ivy — we discovered something we never expected: a 120-year-old story worth saving. In this video, Janet answers the three questions she gets asked every single day: 📍 Where is The Shack? We’re diving into the history of Carleton Place, Beckwith, and the “playground for the wealthy” known as Lake Park. ⏳ How old is it? From its 1902 roots as a hunting cabin to the 1927 diary entries of Eliza McRosty. ♻️ Why restore instead of replace? Janet shares her philosophy on sustainability, the circular economy, and why she now feels like a custodian rather than just an owner. We also talk about local legend Winnie McRostie — the stern but beloved teacher who tutored generations of neighbours at the very table we’re keeping for the renovation. We want to hear from you: Do you have a “Winnie story”? Did she tutor you at her famous cottage table with the leather handle? Do you remember the old Lake Park regattas or stories of the steamships on the Mississippi Lake? Drop your memories in the comments below and help us shape the ongoing story of The Shack. P.S. A few of you asked about Janet's stylish, reusable, thermal mug from Tim Horton's. It's new for 2026 and part of a Limited Edition Series - one mug for every Province, plus one for Canada. You can order them online through the TimShop here: https://timshop.timhortons.ca/product... Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE as we lift this heritage cottage 1.2 meters into the air and give it a new life. #ThisOldShack #HistoricRenovation #Beckwith #CarletonPlace #SustainableLiving #HeritageRestoration #LakeParkHistory #EnvironmentalResponsibility #TimHortons