Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage June 2017 Volume 44, No. 2 Heritage News Now 50 YEARS | 50 STORIES Demolition by Neglect Wins Again We’re Celebrating Our Anniversary! By Carolyn Quinn

In celebration of our 50th agreed that in order to reach the anniversary this year, Heritage broadest audience, we would post is sharing the stories of the stories on our website. 50 buildings that the organization has helped to try and save and Launched on March 1 with the preserve during 50 years of story of the former Union Station, advocacy work championing the new entries are rolling out each city’s historic architecture. week to an enthusiastic response. Photo: Linda Hoad Linda Photo: They will continue coming all year The demolition of 234 O’Connor was The idea for the project came until we reach “50” in December. approved in April 2017 by Planning about a couple of years ago. Committee and City Council in spite of At the time of writing, fifteen earlier Built Heritage Sub-Commitee Heritage Ottawa board member and staff recommendations to refuse Ken Elder gamely undertook the stories—each accompanied by a the application to demolish this required research, and the stories slideshow of fabulous photos— building located in the Centretown have been posted on our web site Heritage Conservation District. soon began to take shape. It was Ottawa is Hosting Another Heritage Conference CAPITALizing on Heritage National Trust and APT Conference Community, Government and Savoir Faire October 11-14, 2017 Ottawa is the place to be for the Canadian Confederation’s 150th anniversary celebrations. For more information check the website: http://www.nationaltrustcanada.ca/ Credit: Ken Elder collection Elder Ken Credit: get-involved/conferences Union Station 1922 1 50 Years | 50 Stories cont’d.

at heritageottawa.org. It seems hard to believe today And thanks to a grant that the home of two of Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit from Ontario150 Ottawa’s first and most organization dedicated to the in support of the important settlers, preservation of Ottawa’s built heritage. project, we are Braddish and achieving our goal Linda Hoad Lamira Billings, was Editor of making all the nearly lost. Saving entries available Jan Soetermans the Billings Estate Graphic Designer in French. from demolition was a long Katari Imaging The stories selected and emotional Printing for the project range struggle and one Heritage Ottawa from such grand that galvanized 2 Daly Avenue structures as the East Ottawa, K1N 6E2 public support and

Block of PA113360 LAC Studio, Topley Credit: Tel: 613-230-8841 recognition for Heritage and the landmark Aberdeen Fax: 613-564-4428 Ottawa. Thankfully, Pavilion to the more Email: [email protected] Lamira Dow Billings 1873 enough members modest Windsor Smoke Web: www.heritageottawa.org of City Council Shop and Bolton Street double in David Jeanes understood the importance of the President Lowertown. building to Ottawa’s roots that Leslie Maitland While capturing the history of today it operates as a city-owned Past-President Heritage Ottawa’s half century of museum. As our co-founder, (vacant) Bob Phillips, recalled when Vice-President Operations work on behalf of the city’s built heritage, the stories also share writing about the issue in 1981, Linda Hoad “Conservation was becoming Vice-President Programs interesting tidbits about each of the buildings featured and some strangely respectable.” Anne Maheux of the fascinating people who were Treasurer One of the first noteworthy associated with them. Louise Fox public buildings to follow the Secretary In the years leading up to Canada’s construction of the Parliament (vacant) Centennial, for instance, some Buildings was the Carleton Legal Consultant people in government thought the County Gaol on Nicholas Street. Danielle Jones demolition of the in Although we shudder at the Website favour of a modern replacement conditions inmates were subjected Directors: was the best way to handle a to at the time, when the gaol Jay Baltz, Doug Beaton, historic building that needed to be opened in 1863 it represented the Richard Belliveau, Linda Dicaire, latest innovations in penal reform. Ken Elder, Ian Ferguson, brought up to date. To help raise Glen Gower, Robert Martin, awareness about the building’s That trend did not include an Heather McArthur, Hunter McGill, value as a national treasure, the end to public hangings however. Carolyn Quinn, Martin Rice, Heritage Committee of A Capital It was here that Patrick Whelan, Nicole Sammut, Katherine Spencer-Ross. for Canadians (forerunner of the convicted assassin of Thomas Heritage Ottawa acknowledges the Heritage Ottawa) organized D’Arcy McGee, was hanged before financial support of the City of and administered tours of the a crowd of 5,000 people, the last Ottawa and the Ontario Ministry interior. It was the first time in such hanging to occur in Canada. of Culture the building’s history that it was Today, thanks in part to the efforts opened to the public. of Heritage Ottawa’s early activists,

2 the former Carleton County reconstruction, widening the deck Gaol operates as the HI-Ottawa and replicating the bridge’s unique Jail Hostel, offering 21st-century lift mechanism. visitors the chance to spend the night in an authentic jail cell. A more modest but equally important structure to Ottawa’s Not all historic structures that history that was threatened with Heritage Ottawa was involved demolition was Old ’s in preserving were buildings. fire hall, No. 10 Graham Station. The Pretoria Avenue Bridge, An elaborate Spanish-Colonial completed in 1918, was designed style building designed by Ottawa by the internationally renowned architect Werner Ernst Noffke in Strauss Bascule Bridge Company 1920, it was named in honour of Chicago, Illinois. By the late of Ottawa Fire Chief John W.

1960s, time and rust damage Graham. Graham was known for Wikimedia Commons Johnston, Jeff Credit: meant costly repairs were needed. his progressive ideas and he played a Carleton County Gaol Plans for repairs were soon being vital role in modernizing the Ottawa replaced by plans for two high- Fire Department and introducing These are but brief synopses level arterial spans, one on each new safety measures. By the 1960s, of some of the many stories side of the Queensway, that would pressure to streamline the service currently unrolling on our website. cut through and Golden saw smaller fire stations like No. 10 More detailed versions can be Triangle neighbourhoods. The Graham Station decommissioned. found there, along with several proposal ignited a battle that Recognizing that a new use for the others not included here, and lasted for ten years. The campaign station would need to be found if all are accompanied by a range to save the historic bridge attracted the building was to be preserved, of interesting photographs and such Heritage Ottawa activists as Mary-Anne Phillips, a co-founding illustrations. architectural consultant Harold member of Heritage Ottawa, Kalman and conservation architect spearheaded a campaign that was Visit heritageottawa.org/50-years- John Leaning. In the end, the endorsed by then Mayor Lorry 50-stories to read the entries we right decision was made when Greenberg. With financial assistance have posted. And check back the city opted to replace the from the City, the building regularly as more stories are bridge with a heritage-sensitive reopened in 1977 as the Ottawa being unveiled on a weekly basis. design. A careful dismantling of South Community Centre. Notifications of all new stories are the Nepean sandstone allowed its posted on Facebook and Twitter. Heritage Ottawa is proud to have played a role in preserving some of Ottawa’s most beloved and important heritage buildings over the past 50 years. We appreciate the ongoing support of you, our members and friends, as we celebrate our anniversary and look forward to our next 50 years.

Carolyn Quinn is a former president

Clifford M. Johnston/ Library and Archives Canada PA-056845 Canada and Archives Library M. Johnston/ Clifford of Heritage Ottawa and current member of the Board of Directors

Photo: Photo: who is enjoying her role in bringing Pretoria Avenue Bridge 1934 50 YEARS | 50 STORIES to life. 3 Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards – overview By Adam Krajewski

Editor’s note: The author, a student, undertook undertook to research and write this article as part of a practicum. Heritage conservation is a new interest for Adam, and he offers an interesting perspective on a program we often take for granted. 2017 marked yet another successful awards ceremony for the Ottawa Architectural Conservation awards. Running concurrently with Heritage Day in February every other year, these awards serve to celebrate and exemplify the excellent work in the preservation and restoration of 35 Armstrong Street (Richmond Lodge) 1986 Award of Excellence Ottawa’s heritage buildings. the abandoned 1941 red-brick new space for the promotion of The past three ceremonies have City Works building. For decades creative thought and innovation. taken place in historic renovated the building served as offices It is now the place where new buildings: Arts Court on Daly and repair shops for the fleet of businesses and unique start-ups Avenue, the Horticulture Building trucks owned by the city, as well can go to develop their ideas and at Landsowne, and this year at as a storage space, before finally find support. The story of the the Innovation Centre at Bayview being closed down, boarded up, Innovation Centre is an example Yards. Prior to that, the event was and left forgotten until finally of what the Ottawa Architectural held at Ottawa City Hall, an easily being reinvented as a completely Conservation Awards strive to accessible and convenient, yet celebrate and promote.

Photos: Linda Hoad Linda Photos: less inspiring space. The choice On the night of the awards, one of venues showcasing restoration entered the industrial building and and reuse might be at the cost walked up towards a striking red of lower attendance, as parties serpentine staircase (evocatively associated with the event seemed nicknamed “the dragon”) into the to comprise the bulk of the vast concrete conference space and attendees. saw a select group of individuals 2017 Awards Ceremony comprised of experts in fields of architecture and conservation This year’s venue, the Innovation and proud building owners. Centre (7 Bayview Road), is a The awards were attended by prime example of the preservation Mayor Jim Watson, Councillors of the city’s architectural heritage. Jan Harder, Tobi Nussbaum, The Centre breathes new life into 189 East (Panet House) 1989 Award of Excellence Adaptive Re-use and Jeff Leiper, members of the 4 heritage community, as well From these beginnings, the in the field of preservation and as various other distinguished Mayor’s Committee on Heritage restoration of Ottawa’s heritage individuals. led to the creation of the buildings.” LACAC in 1975. LACAC made The awards were presented in recommendations which formed The three main categories the six categories of Restoration the basis of official City policies for the Awards – Restoration, (large scale and small scale), on heritage, and recommended Adaptive use, and Infill - have Adaptive Reuse, Infill, Addition, designation of buildings and always remained the same. Community Heritage, and districts under the new Ontario By 1998 a total of 12 projects the Heritage 150 Award. Heritage Act. were recognised at the Awards, Some notable buildings that compared to the initial 3 projects received Excellence awards Perhaps inspired by the recognised in 1982. After the are the Wellington Building, Certificates of Merit awarded 2001 municipal amalgamation 180 Wellington Street (former by Heritage Ottawa at its 1980 that absorbed neighbouring Metropolitan Life Building); Annual General Meeting, LACAC municipalities, the reach of the Sir John A. Macdonald Building created the Ottawa Architectural awards was widened in scope; (former Bank of Montreal), Conservation Awards. LACAC stated in 2002 that 144 Wellington Street; House the purpose of the awards is to of Commons, Parliament Hill; These awards fit into a larger “acknowledge and encourage and Ravenhill Common, scheme of efforts all designed excellent work in the field of 450 Churchill Avenue. around the same goal of preserving architectural conservation across Ottawa’s unique heritage. The the new City.” The success of the History of the awards programme was introduced in awards is evident through their 1981, and the first awards were So why and how did the relative stability across time and announced on Heritage Day in municipal change. Ottawa Architectural Awards 1982. Their express purpose, as come about? The Ottawa Local stated in the LACAC Decennial Past awards Architectural Conservation Report was “to encourage and Advisory Committee (LACAC) acknowledge excellent work done One must only go as far as was formed as a response to the the Ottawa City website to vast destruction accompanying Ottawa’s growth in the 60s and 70s. As demolition crews moved in on such areas as LeBreton Flats, or heritage buildings like the Sacred Heart Convent on Rideau Street, the lack of proper heritage conservation guidelines became apparent. The unregulated destruction acted as a catalyst and moved Mayor Pierre Benoit to establish a Committee on Heritage in 1972. The committee’s mandate stated that “heritage conservation should be the subject of constant consultation between all levels of government operating in Ottawa, so that the City may make known its interests and discharge its École Sacré Cœur 19 Melrose Avenue 2011 Award of Excellence for Adaptive responsibilities.” Use and Infill 5 view the exceptional winning facilitate the spirit of competition projects from previous years, and civic pride that has shaped but disappointingly, the online Ottawa so far. database only covers the three most recent award ceremonies, In the 1988 LACAC Decennial back to the 2011-2012 winners. Report Mayor James A. Durrell The more committed can go to states that “the built heritage of Ottawa City Hall, where, on the a community both reflects its fourth floor in the great atrium of sense of itself and helps to shape the planning department, they will its future.” Almost 30 years later, find meticulously designed panels those sentiments are echoed in commemorating previous award the words of Mayor Jim Watson: ceremonies and their winners back “by recognizing these incredible to 2006-2007. For a complete list achievements in restoration up to 1998 one can consult an and conservation, we are appendix in Ottawa: a guide celebrating our history and to heritage structures/Ottawa: guide acknowledging its impact du patrimoine bâti, published in on how we build our future.” 2000 by LACAC. Perhaps the unchanging The awards, boasting a official perceptions of why long history, help stimulate the Ottawa Architectural conversation and interest among Conservation Awards are property owners, architects, important are the reason why conservationists, and the these awards have such a long and stable history. Let their

Photos: Linda Hoad Linda Photos: construction industry; yet they seem to remain a bit of a mystery continued existence remain a Ottawa Architectural Conservation testament to our unwavering to the general public. One tell- Award panels tale sign of their success remains belief in the importance of architectural heritage. visible on the façades of the Today we see the awards awarded buildings, in the form of going beyond the recognition Adam Krajewski is graduating this commemorative bronze plaques, a of projects to celebrate the year from the History and Theory tremendously successful campaign contributions of different of Architecture program at Carleton providing a tangible mark of the groups and individuals. But University and will be pursuing success of the awards. despite the growing range of his Master’s Degree in Architecture award recipients, and the highly at the University of Toronto. Over distinguished attendees, the the past four years he has developed awards seem to be removed a great interest in the capital’s from the public eye. Perhaps it architecture. He wishes to pursue a is the changing locations, or the career in conservation, so that one biennial nature, maybe a lack of day he can contribute to the efforts advertising, but the fact is that of preservation and protection of not many unaffiliated members historically significant structures. of the public make it to the He hopes one day to be an active event. One must remember participant in events such as the that the awards are open to the Ottawa Architectural Conservation public and anybody can apply Awards. or attend. Public participation Ottawa Architectural Conservation should be encouraged, so as to Award plaque

6 Walking Tours are in our DNA By Linda Hoad

Heritage Ottawa has planned a In 2003 with the support of the special and expanded walking Ontario Trillium Foundation tour program for Canada’s Heritage Ottawa published sesquicentennial and our own English and French versions of 50th anniversary. Please check self-guided walking tours featuring our brochure and look for the history and use of architectural further information on terra cotta in Ottawa. This our website. publication is still available; please see our website for details. Walking tours have been an important means of promoting The Glebe: a Walking Tour by our heritage from the earliest John McLeod, an active and long- years of Heritage Ottawa. These time member of Heritage Ottawa examples of walking tours over and walking tour leader, was the years were found in our files published in 2013 and is now almost due to a recent office move. Even out of print. Heritage Ottawa we were surprised at this glimpse hopes to publish similar volumes of our past tour offerings. for other popular walking tours. One of the earliest tours was of Heritage Ottawa’s neighbourhood the East Block, after the struggle walking tours are offered with to preserve this building had been the assistance of enthusiastic and won. “Since the tours commenced knowledgeable advocates who have in late June 1972, in excess of researched or lived the heritage 9,000 Canadians and visitors from of their community. These tours other lands have been conducted have been a reliable and welcome through … Canada’s most historic source of funds for Heritage building” according to the Comité Ottawa’s other activities since at Heritage Committee 1972-73 least 1999, thanks to the support report to members. of our sponsors and the efforts of volunteer organizers, tour guides Sandy Hill and and tour assistants. Heritage were featured in bilingual self- Ottawa is always interested guided walking tours prepared in adding to our repertoire of and illustrated in co-operation walking tours – there are many with community organizations Ottawa neighbourhoods still to and individuals to promote their be discovered. heritage. These 1975 publications were very popular, but are now Please join us this season for one long out-of-print. of your old favourites or come and try one of our new tours. Early guided walking tours were offered of New Edinburgh, the ByWard Market and Sussex Drive, Linda Hoad is a member of the the Sussex Courtyards and Examples of early Heritage Ottawa Board of Heritage Ottawa and “The Mile of History”. walking tours. editor of the Newsletter. 7 From the President By David Jeanes

for the Canadian Archaeological in April organized by Carleton Conference in May, the Ontario University students, and we helped Heritage Conference in June and with the judging and provided the National Trust/Association for a prize for elementary school Preservation Technology conference students at the Ottawa Regional in October. Heritage Fair. Advocacy New Committees

Our Advocacy Committee continues As our website and social media to deal with the hot local issues and have become a very important means we have attended and presented our of informing members and others positions at numerous Built Heritage about our activities and heritage Sub-Committee and Planning issues in Ottawa we have established Committee meetings on matters a Communications Committee to such as Somerset House, 270 Buchan enhance and expand our use of these Avenue in Rockcliffe, and additions tools. Carolyn Quinn has joined As we move from the end of our to the Heritage Register. the Executive as chair of this new fiscal year on 31 March towards our committee. Please check out Annual General Meeting on May 25th We are represented on the Mayor’s our Facebook page and Twitter f a lot has been happening. Task Force on Heritage Matters, eed – and let your friends know and participate in numerous public about us too! Programs consultations such as the Central Experimental Farm, the Rideau Office News Our programs are moving into high Canal, and the redevelopment of the gear for Canada’s sesquicentennial and Natural Resources Canada complex After a very complimentary th our 50 anniversary. We encourage on Booth Street. We regularly peer review of Heritage Ottawa’s members to check out our website monitor the meetings of the National programming and operations, the publication 50 Years | 50 Stories Capital Commission Board. renewed our Heritage (see page 1 for more information). Service Agreement and increased As a member of the Ottawa Cultural our grant to provide stable funding Members and volunteers enjoyed a Alliance we are working closely with for the next three-year period at an special bus tour to the Perth campus five other organizations to ensure increased level. of Algonquin College arranged by that the City’s Cultural Momentum Nicole Sammut in mid-May. Fund is applied effectively to realize Heritage Ottawa could not possibly function without the hard work The blockbuster walking tour season the City’s 5-year Arts Heritage and of our board members, all our (23 tours) began with an orientation Culture Plan. committees and volunteers, as well and appreciation event for walking Outreach as the dedication of our manager tour volunteers. As we wind up a very intern Amber Polywkan. My thanks successful 2016-2017 lecture series, We continue to collaborate with to everyone. the Lecture Committee is already well other heritage organizations and into the planning of the 2017-2018 activities such as Welcoming series, starting in September. Ottawa Week walking tours, and . Heritage David Jeanes, President, Heritage Heritage Ottawa is involved in several Ottawa was a sponsor for a very Ottawa / Patrimoine Ottawa conferences coming to Ottawa this well-organized Heritage Symposium year – we will offer a walking tours

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