Coming June 6, 2026!
1267 Second Concession Road, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
(In the lower level of the Conservation Education Centre)
519-586-2201
The Davidson Decoy Gallery is a permanent exhibition located in the Conservation Education Centre at Backus Heritage Conservation Area. It is owned and operated by the LPRCA, with the generous support of the Davidson Family Foundation.
Tom Davidson Sr. had a vision to preserve and celebrate the rich tradition of waterfowling, to ensure its legacy would live on for generations to come. This gallery pays tribute to the story of Southern Ontario’s waterfowling heritage through the artful preservation of its legacy.
It features a collection of over 60 historically significant decoys from regions including Norfolk/Long Point, Hamilton, Toronto, West Central Ontario, and Dunnville. The gallery also features an 11 foot punt gun from 1735. The gallery honors the region’s waterfowling history by showcasing the work of prominent decoy carvers from Long Point region and beyond, with a focus on carvers from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s.
This project would not have been possible without the generous donations from The Davidson Foundations and the following donors:
| T. Davidson Family | Jim Lackenbauer |
| Kim Brown | Robin Craig |
| Allen & Lou Young | Ian & Joanne Crokam |
| Doug Morrison | Stephanie Meeuwse |
| John Gilmore | Aaron Everingham |
| Bruce Malcom | Wayne Disher |
| David Wilson | (In memory of Glenn Wilson) |
This gallery was shaped not only by generous donations, but also by the knowledge and dedication of the following LPRCA staff, individuals and organizations:
| Judy Maxwell | Sarah Pointer |
| Bruce Malcom | John Deeter |
| Kim Brown | The Canadian Decoy and Outdoor Collectibles Association |
| Paul Briscoe | David Ferris |
| David Giles | Pat Godin |
Donate a decoy today!
We are still looking for decoys carved by the following carvers:
Hamilton
| Jim (James) Harper | Henry Freeborn |
| James Barr | Donnie Reid |
| Ernie England | William Crawford |
| Augie Noorling | William Hazell |
| Dr. Harold Thompson | George Beattie |
| Les Fawcett |
Toronto
| James Warin | David Ward |
| W.M. Clarke & Family | Thomas Southam |
| Harry Townson | Walter Avis |
| Markham Rig | Walker Morley |
Dunnville
| Pete Pringle | Merle Franklin |
Norfolk/Long Point
| John Reeves | Richard Post |
| Walter Guiler | Frank Kenline |
| Spec Ferris | Robert McCairns |
| Frank Schram | Harold Bulmer |
| Desmond Johnson |
Other West Central Ontario
| Al Wragg | Doug Burrell |
| Tom Hunter |
If you have a decoy (from the above list or another carver) that you are willing to donate, sell or loan, please contact Chloe Anna at curator@lprca.on.ca or 519-586-2201 x 221. Tax receipts are available for donors.