Penhale carriage fundraising campaign launches in Bayfield

Published Jun 01, 2023 • 2 minute read

Rick Penhale stands with the Penhale Landau this will be displayed in a two-cow barn in Bayfield. Dan Rolph

BAYFIELD – Visitors to Bayfield will soon be able to catch a glimpse of an important part of local history.

The community gathered at the Bayfield Town Hall on May 31 for the launch of the Penhale Carriage Barn Raiser campaign, which aims to construct a two-cow barn behind the Bayfield Historical Society and Archives property on Main Street to permanently house and display a carriage crafted at Tom Penhale’s Bayfield Wagon and Carriage Works.

“We’re just totally taken back by it that they’re honouring my father in this way,” said Tom Penhale’s son, Rick Penhale. “We can hardly believe it. It’s just wonderful. I’m glad they enjoy the history of it all, and it’s certainly quite exciting for us.”

Tom Penhale crafted horse-drawn wagons that earned him an international reputation as a master wagon builder in the 1970s. The master craftsman created wagons for organizations such as Heinz, Weston Hotels, the Rose Bowl Parade and Disney from his shop in Bayfield.

Tom Penhale earned a reputation as a master wagon builder in the 1970s for the wagons he built in his Bayfield shop. Dan Rolph

“The success was his, as his carriages raced around Walt Disney World, the Rose Bowl Parade, and many other North American landmarks,” said Bayfield Lion Ian Matthew. “The Penhale Landau is an exceptional example of Tom’s great care for detail and excellence. We admire his workmanship.”

Bayfield-based author and historian Dave Gillians said the elder Penhale’s “practical genius emerged” when he started building his horse-drawn wagons.

“He had a natural gift to create visual harmony through lines and colours, and a determination to make each custom wagon that he did a work of art,” Gillians said.

The proposed two-cow barn in Bayfield will display a mint-condition Penhale Wagon Works Landau for generations to come. The project is a community-wide effort led by the Bayfield Lions Club and the Bayfield Historical Society, with other groups, such as the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Bayfield Library, also becoming involved. Central Huron secondary school students will also be part of the project since the school has offered to build the barn at no cost.

“(My father) would be totally blown away by all of this,” Rick Penhale said. “He was a fairly humble guy, but he would certainly be blown away by this.”

Rick Penhale thanked those involved in celebrating his father’s work, including the Bayfield Lions Club, the Bayfield Historical Society and the community members who have donated to the project.

Tom Penhale’s Bayfield Wagon and Carriage Works made carriages for organizations such as Heinz, Weston Hotels, the Rose Bowl Parade and Disney. The wagon Tom Penhale crafted to be used in Walt Disney World is one of his most well-known creations. Dan Rolph

Bluewater council earlier offered its unanimous support to the project, which will place the carriage and barn on municipal property. Once the barn is constructed and the wagon is on display, organizers plan to hand the structure and wagon over to the municipality at no cost.

To donate to the Penhale Carriage Barn Raiser campaign, visit bayfieldlions.ca/penhale-wagon-works-project.

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