Established in 1946 and based on the principles of sound materials and quality workmanship, Pioneer Handcraft has stayed true to its roots. Founded by Frank Preston, a skilled and creative cabinetmaker, we still hold his values in high regard. Values that have helped to maintain the quality of our furniture to this day.

1930's The Story Begins
It all started in the late 1930's when Frank was working as a chauffeur in New York City for Arthur Judson. Mr. Judson owned a camp in Temagami Ontario named "Camp White Bear". While working in Temagami for Mr. Judson Frank met a Rabbi who also happened to be from New York City. This Rabbi asked him to design and build a log cottage on Crown land he had just acquired on Lake Temagami. Upon the completion of the cottage the owner asked Frank if he would like to make the furniture too. This marked the beginning of what would become Pioneer Handcraft and the creation of the first Pioneer Handcraft pieces. We still make those original pieces and we still make them one at a time.

1940's The early 1940's saw Frank go off to war working as an airframe mechanic. In 1946, after returning from World War Two, Frank moved to North Bay Ontario to be near his elderly mother and to start building furniture again. With a shop in North Bay and a highway #11 display just south in Callander Ontario his unique furniture gained recognition and word spread.

As demand increased, the need to move became more apparent. Frank knew more cottagers were south, so in 1948 he moved down the highway to Severn Bridge where Highway #11 crosses the Severn River. To start he needed a workshop so he rented a barn as a temporary workshop and began making the furniture, all of it to order, as it still is to this day. This barn, as the photo shows, was by the side of the Severn River, and it was at this point in time the name of the business became Pioneer Handcraft. To display his designs he placed them on a covered trailer by the side of the highway for all to see. Pioneer Handcraft had truly begun

1950's & 1960's
Frank died in the late 1950's and his widow, Kay Preston, carried on the business. Many customers fondly recall her making deliveries of furniture by tying it to the roof of her station wagon. Kay kept the business running soundly, establishing an impressive list of cottaging clients all over Muskoka and beyond. By the late 1960's, however, she was ready to sell the business.

1970's A New Era
1971 saw the business change hands. John Bell a native of Toronto, former Junior Imperial Oil executive, and a draftsman by trade acquired Pioneer Handcraft. An immediate change was the design of a new logo, the logo that we still use. It was a time of transition and growth until, in 1972, a fire burned the barn housed workshop to the ground. John made the most of this devastating set back by buying land at Severn Bridge, on the south bound side of Highway #11, near the site of the original barn workshop.

This move marked a turning point in the history of Pioneer Handcraft. John designed and built a new shop and showroom nestled in the virtually perfect setting of Canadian Shield rocks and trees. It was no mistake that it felt just like being at the cottage. Pioneer Handcraft was open for the 1973 May 24th weekend complete with the history building practice of burning the logo into the furniture. With a new location on Highway #11, known to many as "Main Street Ontario" and a new shop the business started to grow and expand. In 1978 a furniture design of John's, a unique sofa bed, won the Trillium Award for Design. This was a first for a small furniture company and a sign of things to come.

How could Frank have known that his initial designs would continue to thrive through the years and still provide comfort and character to cottages, and cottagers spanning generations. In 1996 we celebrated our 50th anniversary and we are proud of our history. We still make all of Franks designs just the way he did. We also make new pieces for the ever changing needs of today, but always to his fine standards.