Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage Winter/Spring 2010 Volume 37, No. 1

Too High and Too Dense – the community questions Ashcroft’s plans By David Jeanes he Monastery of which served in 1923 as the Sisters of the the first home of St. George’s T Visitation is partly Catholic Church. hidden behind a high The few remaining wall which surrounds nuns are elderly and have its 5-acre site at 114 sold the property, intending Richmond Road, just west to retire to another of Island Park Drive and convent in Pembroke. reaching south to the They are progressively e Castonguay (1877-1972) Byron Avenue linear park. removing religious It was founded 100 years decorations, including ago by nuns from the statues and crosses from mother house at Annecy their secluded garden. The in France, an order which Monastère de la Vistation Ste. Marie, Ouest. The postcard is gave notice celebrated its 300th monotone black, photo-engraved and was postally used 1919. last year of its intention to anniversary in that same year, 1910. The sisters, who follow the strict seclusion rule of their cloistered, contemplative order, purchased a large stone mansion on VTEQ Richmond Road, which had been the home successively of four prominent Ottawa businessmen, including Senator James Skead, the founder of

Postcard Photographer and publisher: Jules-Alexandr Westboro, and entrepreneur George Holland. osoft Corporation, NA The monastery was built to a traditional European monastic plan, incorporating the stone mansion at one corner of a 3-storey U-shaped building, enclosing a courtyard. An imposing Gothic-style chapel with a vaulted ceiling anchored the north-west corner. The original 1864 house,

metal-roofed convent building, chapel, and court- Photo: bing.com/maps – Micr yard all survive, little altered on the outside. Few Aerial view from the southwest shows the interior courtyard, the people have seen the interior, except for the chapel, chapel at the top left and the 1864 house at the top right.

1 Too High... also a new access driveway crossing the Byron linear and brought many innovations to Ottawa and park to reach underground parking and service Canada, including the typewriter and Edison’s designate the monastery access to buildings that will fill that part of the site. Kinescope motion pictures. and the sale was made OBHAC also recommended additions to the The city, community, and developer will with this knowledge. recorded history of the site, particularly the role of hopefully all work together in good faith to help The new owner, Ashcroft James Skead, who called it “The Elms” and lived conserve the important attributes of the house and Homes, plans a mixed there in his final years until 1884. Skead founded convent with an appropriate adaptive re-use, while use development with Westboro in the 1870s with the name Skeads Mills meeting the city’s goal of intensification in a way retail along Richmond as part of his extensive industrial activities in that will not overwhelm the surrounding residential Road where city plans Ottawa and along the upper . He also neighbourhood that has enjoyed this little seen and call for intensification as had prominent roles in politics and agriculture. very quiet neighbour throughout the last century. a traditional main street. Other owners of the property were Philip Michael Ashcroft sees the van Koughnet, the first elected member of the David Jeanes is a retired telecommunications engineer with development together Legislative Council of Canada West, businessman long-standing interests in built heritage, local history and with buildings they are James Dyke who probably built the house, first transportation. He is vice-president of Heritage Ottawa and erecting on the north called “Linden House”, George W. Eaton, a lumber- has created numerous heritage walking tours, lectures and articles. He has also contributed to organization and tours side of Richmond Road, man from Buckingham, who with his children isitation for Doors Open Ottawa since its inception. He is Heritage as the eastern gateway intermarried with many prominent families along to the expanding Ottawa's heritage keeper for the area along Richmond Road, the Richmond Road and George Holland, who with where the Sisters of the Visitation convent is located, and he Westboro Village. his brother Andrew published the Senate Hansard has lived in that district since 1974. At several meetings between Ashcroft and the Photo: Soeurs de la V community, some with hundreds of participants, The Monastery of the Sisters of the Visitation is partly hidden behind a high wall which surrounds its 5-acre concept plans showed a site at 114 Richmond Road, just west of Island Park Drive. Save This Date preserved convent build- ing and some green garden space on the east side. The Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee It’s almost time for Charitable Tax Receipts for However, many neighbours are concerned that the (formerly LACAC) considered the staff report on Heritage Ottawa’s Heritage Ottawa Members residential density will be very high, perhaps 600 March 18 and recommended that the city designate Annual General apartments, generating heavy traffic and located not just the proposed north half of the site, (the Meeting! Pencil in Tuesday, May 25, 2010 Heritage Ottawa is a registered charity, (registration very close to the convent. Though the city recom- monastery building to Richmond Road), but the at 7:00 pm number 893096776 RR0001). The board will issue mended a 4-storey height, Ashcroft suggests 5 to 11 entire property, including the walled and tree-lined on your area where the nuns cultivated fruit and vegetables calendars because we official tax receipts for donations and for memberships storeys for different parts of the site, with some at the Patron level ($50) and above. increased setbacks and open interior spaces. and took their private recreational walks. Ashcroft are planning an proposes a public pathway through this area but exciting evening at the Grange, a magnificent There is a new receipt format for 2009. Most receipts 180-year-old log building on a gorgeous site just were issued by 28 February 2010. fifteen minutes from in Cantley, Heritage Ottawa is required by Canada Revenue Agency . It was formerly the home of Bob and Mary to deduct any advantage of membership in excess of Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit Directors: John Arnold, Anne Phillips. 10% of the total paid. There are certain exceptions, such organization dedicated to the preservation Richard Belliveau, as our newsletter, annual general meeting and lectures. Heather Thomson, Heritage Planner, Parks of Ottawa’s built heritage. Susan Buggey Ken C. Clavette, The average walking tour discount of $5 per member or Canada, will speak on the topic: Unlocking the Vacant Ken Elder, Ian Ferguson, $10 per family may be deducted. : Developing a Landscape Strategy for President Brigid (Phillips) Janssen, If you do not require a tax receipt, please let us know, the Rideau Corridor. Veronica Vaillancourt Heritage Ottawa David Jeanes Leslie Maitland, John McLeod, as it reduces our administrative costs and gives us more Editor 2 Daly Avenue Vice-President Heather Perrault, Once we have finalized the details of the flexibility for our expenditures. Carolyn Quinn, Paul Stumes Jan Soetermans Ottawa, K1N 6E2 Willam R. Price Annual General Meeting, each member will receive Secretary For information on all registered charities in Canada Graphic Designer Tel: 613-230-8841 a personal invitation in the mail. Information will David Ivison Heritage Ottawa acknowledges under the Income Tax Act, visit the Canada Revenue Tina & Company Fax: 613-564-4428 Treasurer the financial support of the also be posted on www.heritageottawa.com as soon Agency website www.cra.gc.ca/charities Printing Email: [email protected] City of Ottawa and the David B. Flemming as the schedule is set. Please visit www.grange.ca Web: www.heritageottawa.org Ontario Ministry of Culture Past-President for further information regarding the venue.

2 3

that most of the building’s original fabric is intact public to participate in various recreational activities Heritage Ottawa Argues for Preservation and that it could easily be restored to its original such as: skating and boating on the Rideau Canal, configuration for an appropriate adaptive use. cycling, walking, running, in-line skating, cross- of Heritage Buildings at Lansdowne The city and the design consultants should country skiing, formal and informal team sports, consider having Historic Ottawa Development Inc. picnicking and playground activities. It should (HODI) contribute to the preparation of a business provide a venue for the exhibition of public art as Heritage Ottawa’s Past-president, David Flemming, – the graphic in the centre that depicts the silhouette of well as cultural activities relating to the performing made the following presentation to the City of Ottawa’s plan based on sound economic and heritage turrets, domes and the grand sweeping expanse of arts and music. It could become the focal point for Design Symposium in mid-February. conservation models for the Horticulture Building the structure affectionately known as the “Cattle some of Ottawa’s successful festivals. Castle”. The building’s 41 m clear span in the same manner that they did in 1994 for the eritage Ottawa is pleased to have an Aberdeen Pavilion. The Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture opportunity to comment on the steel frame is nationally significant and the building represents the last We feel the preservation of these two buildings Building could house a year-round carnival or H proposed development of farmers’ market, in keeping with the Park’s traditional Lansdowne Park and to make surviving 19th century large-scale in situ must be a fundamental component of any exhibition building in Canada. development plan for both the Urban Park and use. These would respect the attributes of the suggestions to the five finalists historical designation for both buildings by using in the design competition. It is It is also symbolic of the the commercial area and we strongly oppose any proposal which would result in the demolition the open interior spaces to their fullest advantage. unfortunate that you cannot apply decade-long struggle which led Either building could also house exhibits relating to your design talents to the entire to its retention and restoration in of all or any original components of either of these buildings or their relocation to other areas Ottawa’s civic history and serve as a venue for a Park however we in Ottawa did not 1994. The fight to save the variety of events by local community organizations. seem to have the foresight to devel- Aberdeen Pavilion involved over in the Park. op a rational design process 30 votes at Ottawa city and regional Our deepest wish and that of many Ottawa Commercial enterprises should be in keeping with the activities noted above and should reflect for this most important heritage site. councils before the final and correct Photo: City of Ottawa citizens, is that the intrinsic natural and historic decision was made to retain and preserve it. value of Lansdowne Park should anchor its future. the Park’s traditional use. Rentals of sporting Heritage Ottawa consistently supported equipment, specialized shops and food services a transparent procurement process Heritage Ottawa volunteers were in Its commercial value should be sustained – as in Aerial view of Landsdowne park today. the forefront of this significant so many wonderful history-based developments in would provide on-site support for recreational and and open international competition cultural activities. for the design of the entire Park heritage preservation decision. Ontario, across Canada and in tourist magnets of however in the interest of trying to achieve the best The building is protected by a 1994 federal (Parks Europe such as Paris, Copenhagen, Rome and Although many features of the original Ottawa development proposal, we offer these suggestions. Canada) – municipal cost-sharing agreement which London – by the fascination, charm, and capriciousness Sport and Entertainment Group proposal are in requires the city to retain the building in its of its history. keeping with the values noted above, it appears Heritage Ottawa’s focus is on the impact of any restored condition without significant modification that the proponent’s original vision for proposed development on the heritage buildings for a period of 42 years. The Pavilion is also the site is mainly commercial and if located on the site – the Aberdeen Pavilion and the protected by an easement with the Ontario allowed to overwhelm the site, we fear Horticulture Building – and how they can be best Heritage Trust, which in perpetuity preserves the that Lansdowne Park’s traditional role used as a centre-piece for development. heritage attributes of the building and its features. as a “park” will either be lost entirely The area bounded by , and The 1914 Horticulture Building has also been or much-diminished. We do not oppose

the Rideau Canal was purchased in 1868 to hold chives afforded protection under the Ontario Heritage Act the introduction of a modicum of agricultural exhibitions. In 1888 the City purchased and its importance to the city was also debated commercial and residential components the land to become the home of the Central Canada extensively by councils in the late 80s and early 90s, as long as it enhances rather than Exhibition. Its 140-year history as a centre for culminating in the designation of the entire detracts from the intrinsic nature of agricultural shows, fairs, sporting, political, structure in 1994. This rare public commission by the Park as a recreational and heritage military and patriotic events, public recreation, Ottawa architect Francis Sullivan is an important destination for citizens of Ottawa and

entertainment and a farmers’ market, should guide Photo: City of Ottawa ar example of a Canadian adaptation of the American for visitors to our city. any development plans for the Park. The adjacent Prairie style of architecture examples of which are Our “Cattle Castle” or the Aberdeen Pavilion as it proudly stands today. We are convinced that the best Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, evident in its exterior and interior design and sustainable use of the site is one that recognizes a designation that can be removed if the site and detailing. For over 70 years the Horticulture Although Heritage Ottawa has not taken a the aesthetic values of its heritage elements and its value and character are diminished by any Building served as an exhibition facility in summer position on any particular plan for the development of natural features – the green spaces, buildings and unsuitable adjacent developments. and a curling club during the winter. Although the the commercial/retail component, we believe that the adjacent canal – and uses them to leverage The image of the Aberdeen Pavilion, a municipal city has allowed it to fall into disrepair, a recent its design and development should be compatible and attract appropriate commercial opportunities. heritage building (1984) and National Historic Site tour of the building organized by Heritage Ottawa with the natural and cultural resources that exist on For these reasons, a proper design for the (1983), was adopted by Heritage Ottawa as its logo which included three restoration architects indicated the site and adjacent to it. The non-commercial Urban Park (“Front Lawn”) is important in component should provide opportunities for the realizing this goal.

4 5 well as larger vertical windows facing south A Visit to the Horticulture Building towards the exhibition grounds. By Andrew Elliott Some of the original windows retain their Jane’s Walk unusually patterned latticework. This off-centre n January 22, 2010, Heritage Ottawa board rectilinear pattern itself mirrors the sharp geometric Saturday & Sunday, May 1–2 O members, the Glebe Community Association angles of the building as a whole. Indeed, the effect Heritage Committee, Professor ofiche is truly stunning: for while helping to frame and Herb Stovel and his graduate students, and various provide a relationship to the larger Aberdeen representatives of the Press (Glebe Report and Pavilion which stands nearby, the intention, it The Citizen) had a chance to look at the exterior om a micr seems, is to give the viewer a completely new and and interior of the vacant Horticulture Building, thought-provoking view of that building and the a building at risk in the future development plan rest of Lansdowne Park. The upstairs interior space scanned fr for Lansdowne Park. is a reflection of the Horticulture Building’s exterior,

The day chosen turned out to be clear and crisp, Photo: and could easily be restored and function as a special event space for a variety of different organizations. one of those few winter days when the sky is so Photograph of Horticulture Building back in 1914. Taken from a thesis Jane’s Walk is a festival of walking tours celebrating on Francis Conroy Sullivan dated 1964. blue you feel as if you might fall into it, and as All those who visited the structure were the legacy of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs. such, this clarity provided extra definition to a near the roofline. There is also the outline of a large impressed with the building’s massive interior All tours are given by local individuals eager to building that went up in the summer of 1914. The window which would add to the overall visual space, apparent overall structural soundness, the share their knowledge and enthusiasm for their Jane’s Walk Horticulture Building was designed by the architect effect if it were uncovered. large number of restorable heritage windows city. improves urban literacy through Francis Conroy Sullivan (1882-1929), and is considered (covered and uncovered) and numerous decorative personal observations on urban planning, In the front section, there is an attention to architecture, local identity, regional history, one of Sullivan’s great works in the relatively rare elements. Though the building has been designated detail that belies the speed at which the structure and social reality. Interacting through events like Prairie Style of architecture in this country. by the City of Ottawa as a heritage structure, little was built. This section housed the entrance hall, a Jane’s Walk helps knit us together into a stronger, has been done to maintain it and even less thought The Horticulture Building is made up of two banquet room, and administration facilities. Here, more connected, more resourceful community. has been given to how its interior space could be sections. The back section once served the dual the Prairie style of architecture is greatly evident, Although she had no formal training as a planner, re-used. Virtually everyone who visited the building purpose of being an exhibition area and a curling and at the time was considered very daring. The Jane Jacobs developed ground-breaking ideas agreed that the building should not be moved from rink. Red brick walls surround massive steel Prairie style was first developed in the United about how cities function, evolve, and succeed or its current location, that it must remain protected, supports that rise up from the foundation and then States by , and is generally fail. She described these in her 1961 best-seller and that it should be restored while being given a The Death and Life of Great American Cities. curve inwards to provide a high spacious ceiling; noted for its sharp square angles, symmetry of window new and valued purpose in the redevelopment of large windows are placed evenly along the length locations and flat rectilinear projecting roofs, and in The seed for Jane’s Walk was Jane’s observation of each side. This would have provided as much Lansdowne Park. that the best way to find out about a city is to get this, the front section of the Horticulture Building out and walk around. Jane’s Walk began in Toronto natural light to enter the building as was possible. does not disappoint. It is rare to find photos of We thank Councillor and his assistant Though now covered up, these windows could in 2007, and came to Ottawa in 2008. Last year, the building as it once looked, but one photo Catherine Henry who requested permission for the forty-six cities across the US and Canada participated, easily be uncovered and put to use once again. uncovered dates from 1914 and shows the front group to gain access to the Horticultural Building. offering a total of 315 tours. Jane’s Walk Ottawa The unpainted back wall facing Holmwood Avenue of the building in detail. One will note from this The visit logistics were arranged by city staffers, offered 32 walks on topics such as the Urban Forest, shows off the attractive red bricks that make up the photograph how the three casement windows over Richard Haycock and Mark Hennigar. City staff , and How Survived the rest of the structure, along with the stone corbels the dramatic front entrance correspond with the member Eric Desjardins unlocked the building, Car, and attracted about a thousand people. three larger casement windows on either side of the turned on the lights and was very helpful and Jane’s Walk Ottawa is organized by an enthusiastic, entrance. Though the look is massive, the lively amount accommodating throughout the visit. committed team of volunteers, with assistance of red brick, stucco, stone, and glass patterning lightens On a final note, the Glebe Report will be from many local sponsors, including Heritage Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa, and our media sponsor its appearance and the exterior is aesthetically publishing a longer article on the building and its CBC Radio One. Support from Heritage Ottawa pleasing to the viewer. Unfortunately, in recent architect in the March issue. This will be part of an has been particularly important to the early success years this exterior has been painted yellow, which initiative in the next few months to make people of Jane’s Walk, and we are grateful to the many tour does little justice to the building’s composition. aware of the aesthetic, cultural, and heritage value leaders associated with Heritage Ottawa who have ew Elliott The upper floors of the front section are particularly of the structure within the context of Lansdowne volunteered to lead tours for Jane’s Walk. noteworthy with their hardwood floors as well as Park and its redevelopment. Jane’s Walk offers a shared experience in exploring spare wood finishing on doors, baseboards, railings and appreciating Ottawa. This year’s schedule Photo: Andr and banisters. The banquet room is large, yet it showing times and starting points can be found Andrew Elliott is an archivist, freelance writer, and a on our web site at www.janeswalkottawa.ca. seems even more spacious due to the effect of small Interior of the upper front level of the building, what would be called the member of Heritage Ottawa and the Glebe Community All tours are free. banquet hall. Original prairie style designs embellish some of the windows. rectangular windows on all sides near the roof as Association Heritage Committee.

6 7 Ottawa Built Heritage Advisory Committee to have From the Past President... St. Isidore Catholic Church designated under the Working Together For Heritage: The past four months have seen Ontario Heritage Act (Heritage Ottawa Newsletter, Fall an array of advocacy issues relating 2009, pp.4-5), the parishioners of St. Isidore Parish Carleton University, the Municipality of North Grenville to the preservation of our built voted to demolish this important 1880s church. and the historic hamlet of Burritt’s Rapids heritage which has included a Demolition is expected to begin later this year new designation under the although the steeple was removed last June. By Kelly Black Ontario Heritage Act, the loss of a St. Isidore, built in the French Classical style, is The building now known as the Burritt’s Rapids building that we thought had one of the last surviving examples of the work of hen the 2009-2010 academic year priest-architect Georges Bouillon. Ironically, the ends for Carleton students in Community Hall has been a landmark on Grenville been saved and a decision by parishioners to W Street for over 150 years. demolish their church. Throughout it all, the confused demolition of this church is not prompted by the the School of Canadian loss of parishioners as seems to be the norm with Studies Heritage Conservation amount of land was cleared, and sometimes acrimonious debate over the development farming was instituted. In turn, of Lansdowne Park lurches toward a resolution. many churches. In this case, the current church program, we may feel as if cannot meet the needs of this fast-growing parish North Grenville has become our increased agricultural activity th On February 24 , city council approved the and the parishioners feel that adding an extension second home. The relationship brought a range of merchants designation of the Bradley/Craig Farmstead on or wing to the existing structure is not economically began last autumn when and associated industries that Hazeldean Road under Part IV of the Ontario feasible. heritage students joined their helped the community diversify

Heritage Act. The designation includes an 1870s its economy. Before completion Photo: Kelly Black As we go to press, the five finalists in the colleagues from the Azrieli brick farmhouse and an 1873 dairy barn with a of the Rideau Canal, the design competition for the urban park component School of Architecture and large hay loft. The barn was built by John hamlet was already well of Lansdowne Park are working to a May deadline Urbanism at Carleton to produce Cummings and is the last surviving barn built by an adaptive re-use study for established on both the north th to unveil their proposals. this prominent 19 century Goulbourn craftsman. the Municipality of North and south sides of the Rideau. On March 9, a city-initiated Retail Real Estate In November 2007, city council rejected a staff Grenville. The project, involving Two significant markers of the Report prepared by J.C. Williams Group Limited recommendation that the owner of 456 Lansdowne six heritage buildings, proved to its growth were the construction dealing with the retail/commercial portion of the Road North be permitted to demolish one of the be more of a challenge than expected, of the first schoolhouse in 1822 site was made public. The document reads more oldest homes in the Heritage but the final report resulted in a and completion of the first church in like a wish list for the Ottawa Sport and Conservation District (RPHCD). After agreeing to detailed and unique vision for the heritage 1831. When construction of the Rideau Entertainment Group, developers of the non-urban save the house and build an addition, the owner resources in this growing municipality. Canal began at Burritt’s Rapids in 1828, park component. If followed, the recommendations engineers and workers dammed the river decided to appeal council’s decision to the Ontario This semester, Heritage Conservation students would result in a doubling of the retail mix in the (the remains of which can still be seen today) and Municipal Board. The city defended its decision but have again partnered with North Grenville to Glebe that would seem to compete rather than excavated a natural ravine, known as Oxford Snie, because council had overturned a staff recommendation, develop a plan for a Heritage Conservation District complement the existing businesses along Bank in order to create a bypass of the rapids. Upon their own heritage planner was called as an expert (HCD) study of the hamlet of Burritt’s Rapids. After Street in the Glebe and Old . Many completion of the canal in 1832, the Burritt’s Rapids witness for the owner. The board found in favour meeting with the municipality’s representatives at the speculate whether such an increase in retail lock station had effectively turned the heart of the of the owner who plans to demolish the house and beginning of January, the class drove down to the build a new, larger one in its place. activities is sustainable. (For Heritage Ottawa’s village into an island. position on the development, see pages 4-5). village to see things first hand. This decision plus the loss of two more of the A visitor traveling to Burritt’s Rapids today oldest homes in Rockcliffe - 204 & 212 Springfield To follow the progress of the project leading Burritt’s Rapids will be immediately struck by the view of the town towards a City Council decision in June, check the Road - (Heritage Ottawa Newsletter, Spring/Summer Much of the built heritage of the town exists rising starkly out of the water and the surrounding City of Ottawa website at: http://www.city.ottawa. 2008, pp.1-3) are examples of the inadequacy of the on an island wedged between the on landscape. During our first visit to the site, we on.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne_part- RPHCD guidelines as interpreted by city planning the north side and the Rideau Canal to the south. found ourselves wandering through the village taking nership/index_en.html. Members are urged to staff. Although these guidelines serve to protect the Although an island today, this was not the case pictures and excitedly discussing its potential for write to the mayor and their councillor in support village-like setting and landscape of the district, when Colonel Stephen Burritt and his family, an HCD. All along the historic streetscape there of a development which will preserve the heritage they are woefully inadequate to prevent the loss United Empire Loyalists from New England, are many excellent examples of Rideau Corridor and reflect the traditional uses of the park over of individual buildings of heritage significance. settled on the north side of the river (Township architecture. the past 140 years. We only have one chance to Heritage Ottawa urges the city to review the of Marlborough) in 1793. Included among the many one-and-a-half guidelines to prevent the further loss of the do this right! The growth of Burritt’s Rapids is similar to that storey end-gabled, stone and brick houses are district’s late 19th and early 20th century buildings. of many settlements along the Rideau River. Like properties which tell the story of the village’s social Following unsuccessful efforts by the city’s David B. Flemming, most early communities in the area, lumbering and commercial past. On Centre Street, a former Heritage Planning staff, Heritage Ottawa and the Past President became the first informal industry. Once a sufficient schoolhouse (now a private residence) is identified

8 9 can have serious consequences if the intention was individuals and groups to band together to save to “ensure” preservation. Indeed, in some Ontario Memorial Lecture the chapel. The team had very little time to Municipal Board (OMB) cases heritage designation identify and inventory the various components was challenged based on the lack of clarity in the Attracts Big Audience before the interior was cut apart. Cast iron language of the plan. columns, elaborate wooden fan vaulting, three Of the dozen or more sections to be considered Heritage Ottawa’s Fifth Annual Bob altars, a balcony and pointed arched windows in creating our report, perhaps the one that took the and Mary Anne Phillips Memorial were all marked and stored. most deliberation was the Boundaries section. That Lecture drew a record crowd to The community hoped that they could find a the study should include the historic hamlet was the National Gallery’s auditorium future home for the chapel but in the meantime, th clear, however, to what extent the landscape should on February 18 to hear historian the components languished in storage for over ten be included was less apparent. Much of the her- Leslie Maitland speak on the years. When plans for a new National Gallery were itage character of Burritt’s Rapids lies in its pastoral Rideau Street Convent Chapel. announced, this seemed an ideal location for the setting; few can deny that the length of the Rideau Prior to the talk, people were chapel. Ms.Maitland described in detail the difficulties Canal is a cultural landscape. Unfortunately, Part V invited to visit the chapel which had the builders encountered in enclosing the restored Photo: Kelly Black (Heritage Conservation Districts) of the Ontario been restored and fitted into a specially chapel in the new building. Surviving elements A fine example of a decorative Gothic Revival verandah in Burritt’s Rapids. Heritage Act does not provide for the protection of designed space by architect Moishe Safdie in 1988 were restored and assembled and parts that had cultural heritage landscapes. In spite of this, it was when the National Gallery was constructed. been lost or destroyed were reproduced. It was th by the bell tower still gracing the centre ridge of the our decision to recommend that landscape be Ms. Maitland showed early photos of the 19 decided to retain the blue and gold colour scheme roof. On Grenville Street, the community centre, a included in the study, as a way to highlight its century convent originally located on Rideau Street that was in place at the time of the dismantling designated heritage property, was built as a general importance to the integrity and authenticity of between Cumberland and Waller, including shots in 1972. store in 1855 in the classical revival style. It is an Burritt’s Rapids. of the chapel. The decorative interior, designed by The restoration of the the Rideau Street Convent the accomplished priest-architect Georges Bouillon outstanding example of an early nineteenth century Working Together Chapel, said Ms. Maitland, preserves an impressive vernacular commercial structure and has served the in 1887, is a fine example of Gothic Revival style. interior of architectural and historical significance community as a non-profit facility since the 1930s. The working relationship established with After the Sisters of Charity sold the convent for all of Canada. Ironically the banal strip mall Located on the north side of the river is Christ North Grenville has been a rewarding experience in 1971, the new owners announced their intention that replaced the convent was recently demolished Church, one of the earliest churches along the for everyone involved. As emerging heritage to demolish the building. Ms. Maitland described to give way for a high-rise development. Rideau, erected in 1831. The wooden quoins atop professionals, the chance for students to participate the dismay of the Ottawa community and how the crenellated tower and the decorative circular in the creation of a pragmatic and viable HCD the impending demolition in 1972 galvanized window in the front gable make this place of study plan has been invaluable. For North worship one of the most beautiful and enduring Grenville, the municipality’s desire to participate along the Rideau Corridor. with students has resulted in thorough, distinctive and forward thinking heritage resource plans. Heritage Ottawa Walking Tours for 2010 Developing a Plan Communities, organizations and universities In compiling our work for North Grenville, should continue to actively seek these types of The program for the 2010 season of Heritage Ottawa 6. University of Ottawa *(in French) August 29 collaborations where students gain professional the main goal was to create a strong, relevant and Walking Tours is listed below. For the first time, two of 7. September 5 forward-thinking plan. We first looked at various skills and communities gain quality, innovative work. these tours will be animated in French – see the asterisks. 8. Village of September 12 Heritage Conservation All tours begin at 2:00 pm on Sundays unless District studies from across Kelly Black is a first year 9. September 19 Masters student in the School otherwise indicated. the province and analyzed 10. Sandy Hill September 26 them, seeking out both the of Canadian Studies, Heritage good and bad. We under- Conservation Program. 1. The Glebe June 27 11. Village of Rockcliffe Park October 3 In 2009, he completed his stood early on that it was 2. Architecture and Engineering along July 4 undergraduate degree in 12. Beaux Arts Ottawa October 10 imperative to be clear and Rideau Canal History at Vancouver Island 13. October 17 exact in the language used University. His research focuses 3. Vanier: the murals along Montreal Road July 18 14. Manotick Village October 24 in the proposed plan in on the idea of wilderness and *(in French) order to avoid problems in its influence in the separation the future. For example, if of nature and culture. 4. Lowertown West (at 10:00 a.m.) August 1 The full descriptions of the walking tours will be the plan states a desire to 5. Brewery Creek (Gatineau/Hull) August 8 published on the Heritage Ottawa website in May.

Photo: Kelly Black Please consult www.heritageottawa.org “encourage” preservation, it Interior view of Christ Church.

10 11

Architectural Conservation Awards 2010 The annual Ottawa Architectural Conservation Awards This project involved the rebuilding of the main chimney recognize excellence in the preservation of the City’s of one-half of the semi-detached Woodburn House in the architectural heritage. Submissions were received in the New Edinburgh Heritage Conservation District. Woodburn following categories: Restoration (returning a heritage House is a Gothic Revival style brick house that was built resource to its original form, material and integrity); Adaptive circa 1874 with extensive decorative woodwork and poly- Use (modification of a heritage resource to contemporary chromatic brickwork. While exact historical evidence was not functional standards while retaining its heritage character); available to inform the project, the owner did extensive and Infill (an addition to an historic building, or all-new research on Victorian chimneys and surveyed similar houses construction within an historic context). Bronze plaques are in the neighbourhood for inspiration. The result is sympathetic, mounted on Award of Excellence-winning projects, and enhances the house and honours a building element that is major contributors to each project receive framed certificates. very often neglected. Certificates of Merit are presented to projects and contributors Receiving certificates: deserving recognition in the three categories. Katherine Arkay Keystone Traditional Masonry Inc. Award of Excellence – Infill 444 Highcroft Avenue Award of Excellence – Infill / Restoration Ward 15 – Kitchissippi – Councillor Christine Leadman Strathcona on the Parc, 417 – 421 Laurier Avenue East This project involved an addition to provide a mudroom Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier – Councillor Georges Bédard and another bedroom. The addition was designed to be This project involved the restoration and adaptive reuse sympathetic to the existing house by reflecting the form, of two designated Queen Anne Revival style houses on scale and massing of a two-storey enclosed porch that would Laurier Avenue East in the Wilbrod/Laurier Heritage have been typical of an early 20th century four-square brick Conservation District. The two houses had been altered over house in the Westboro area. The addition is clearly contemporary time and were restored using historic photographs to replicate in style and distinguishable from the original house. This missing elements, such as the front porches. This project also project illustrates a small-scale project that enhances not only involved new construction of an eight unit, four-storey the historic house but also the streetscape as a whole. condominium complex at the rear of the property. The new Receiving certificates: addition is clearly contemporary in style but sympathetic to Lisa Foss and Rob Vandenberg the historic houses in materials, massing and setback. This Kevin Deevey B. Arch, OAA, LEED, AP project exemplifies the Standards and Guidelines for the Kevin Deevey Architect Inc.Vincent DeBeer, Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, and sets an excellent Vincent DeBeer General Contracting precedent as the type of infill project that should be encouraged Patrick Pelda, Cogo Carpentry in Heritage Conservation Districts throughout Ottawa. Receiving certificates: Award of Excellence – Restoration 421 Laurier Avenue Limited Foisy House, 184 St. Andrew Street Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier – Councillor Georges Bédard Paul Daoust Construction Canada Limited Foisy House, a one and a half storey wood-framed Halsall Associates Limited house, is a rare example of the early residential development Douglas Associates Landscape Architects Limited of Lowertown in the 19th century. Alexander Foisy, a tinsmith noted for the Tin House façade in Tin House Court, built Certificate of Merit – Adaptive Use Foisy House in 1860. By 2002, Foisy House had been neglected 406 Queen Street and abandoned for a number of years. The current owner Ward 14 – Somerset – Councillor Diane Holmes purchased the property, found historical photographs of the building and undertook a meticulous restoration project. Of Receiving certificates: particular note is the reproduction of the intricate front porch Antonietta Talarico that has been restored to its 1900 appearance. A number of Ross Talarico, Professional Corporation interior elements have also been restored to their 19th century Costantino + Associates Architect Incorporated appearance, including the wooden floors, the staircase and baluster, and the tin ceiling in the foyer of the house. Certificate of Merit – Infill Receiving certificates: 224-226 Dalhousie Street, 114-116 Guigues Avenue Geneviève Houle Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier – Councillor Georges Bédard Gontran Bolduc, Builder Receiving certificates: Marc Bolduc Regional Group of Companies Douglas Hardie Architect Inc. Award of Excellence – Restoration Novatech Engineering Consultants Limited Woodburn House, 73 MacKay Street LA Group Project Management Ward 13 – Rideau-Rockcliffe – Councillor Jacques Legendre

12