Inae Kim 4 PROFILE Willie Troop – ‘Jill’ (And Master) of All Trades Peter Delefes

June 2016 Volume 41 No. 2 ISSN 0384 7335 The Griffin A Quarterly Publication of Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia

3 artist Inae Kim 4 PROFILE Willie Troop – ‘Jill’ (and Master) of All Trades Peter Delefes

8 URBAN heritage 2016 Jane’s Walks in Halifax and Dartmouth Donald Forbes

10 HERITAGE BUILDING Fort Sackville and the Scott Manor House in Bedford Tony Edwards

13 PROPOSED RE-PURPOSING Second Chance for Annapolis Royal Regional Academy Jane Nicholson

14 LECTURE Simeon Perkins’ House in Liverpool is Not in Peril Allen Penney

18 LECTURE James W. Macnutt QC – Building for Justice: Historic Courthouses of the Maritimes Janet Morris

June 2016 1 REPORT President’s Report The Griffin ... heritage proponents seek to A quarterly newsletter published by esteem smart, sustainable, and Heritage Trust of appropriate development ... Nova Scotia In that future we hope to see smart, Patron human-scale development, represent- His Honour Brigadier-General ing many eras and styles, contributing to the Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, a thriving society. ONS, CD (Ret’d) According to the United Nations, Lieutenant Governor of “The deterioration or disappearance of Nova Scotia any item of cultural or natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment Editorial Committee of the heritage of all the nations of the Donald Forbes, Melanie Ballard, world.” The word impoverishment in this Dulcie Conrad, Peter Delefes, statement is so very well suited. It effec- Donna McInnis, Janet Morris, tively articulates the problem with the Nancy O’Brien, Tony Edwards recent unfolding of events on Halifax’s Contributors to this issue Joe Ballard Young Avenue and other similar sites. Roger Davies, Peter Delefes, With the demolition of the Cleveland Tony Edwards, Donald Forbes, Peninsular Halifax is under attack. I House and its proposed replacement Inae Kim, Janet Morris, would enumerate the sites here, but the by five building lots along what was Allen Penney, Jane Nicholson swiftly changing landscape may leave designed as a ‘grand allée’, the Young Layout: Douglas Porter my list outdated by the time you read Avenue neighbourhood understandably Printers: etc. Press Ltd this. Now would be a good time to help feels poorer – from a civic standpoint, frame the position of heritage propo- not financially (although that too is Unless otherwise indicated, the nents and to assist the public in articu- possible for nearby property owners). It opinions expressed in these pages lating a credible response. We already is interesting to ponder the increased are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the know what our detractors will say. They value of the subdivided Cleveland views of Heritage Trust of Nova will argue that we are anti-development property and the resultant decrease in Scotia. We welcome submissions Chicken Littles stuck in the past. I say: the value and character of our ‘grand but reserve the right to edit for take care not to prove them right. Don’t allée’. The two values can be seen as cor- publication. Contributions appear attack ‘development’. Development responding data entries, with Halifax as in both print and web editions. is, after all, what we protect. Instead, the spreadsheet: the value of 851 Young Deadline for the next issue: explain how heritage proponents seek Avenue goes up while our city’s inven- August 6, 2016 to esteem smart, sustainable, and ap- tory of cultural assets goes down. Please send your submissions to propriate development. Whether such Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia development is in the planning stage or ... the value of 851 Young Avenue PO Box 111 occurred one hundred years ago mat- goes up ... our city’s inventory of Spring Garden RPO ters little. However, development that cultural assets goes down Halifax NS B3J 3S9 has gathered around itself decades of [email protected] www.htns.ca cultural capital warrants special recogni- There is reason to be optimistic. Tel: 902 423-4807 tion. It has accrued tangible and intan- Individual citizens are expressing their gible values that tend to have transmis- dismay and anger at the troubling treat- Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is a charitable organization. sible economic and aesthetic effects on ment of heritage resources. Individual All donations are tax creditable. nearby properties, as well as positive voices are coalescing into newly orga- effects related to the contentment and nized groups in response to the ease comportment of citizens. Don’t get with which demolition permits and vari- stuck in the past. Heritage proponents ances are granted. The media, with its Cover image: Detail from The Wired Monk do not live in the past, they look to the nose for conflict, is currently providing Coffee Shop, by Inae Kim, watercolour on paper, future and anticipate what it is that suc- substantial coverage of heritage issues. 11” x 22” (courtesy of the artist) cessive generations will value.

2 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia ARTIST Inae Kim

Inae Kim was born in South Korea, where she attended university, obtain- ing both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Certificate of Fine Arts Teaching. Inae majored in graphic design and began her working career in her native country as an art teacher at the elementary and junior high school levels. For a number of years, she was further employed as a commercial artist in the field of advertis- ing. In 1996 Inae, with her husband and two children, made the decision to move to Canada. In 1997 the family permanently settled in Halifax. While taking up a new life in a new country can be challenging, she has found the varied cultural experience rewarding and in the process feels it has helped foster personal growth and expand her understanding as an artist. Light, colour, Macara St., by Inae Kim, watercolour and pen on paper, 18” x 22” (courtesy of the artist) shape, and imagery are key elements in Inae’s approach to painting. The diversity of Nova Scotian flora and fauna provide special inspiration in this regard, as does the historical architecture of Halifax and the province. Inae was elected to the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSP- WC) in 2011. She received many awards from the Contemporary Artist Society juried shows in Halifax 2009-2015 and also awards from Open International Juried Exhibitions in Toronto and Halifax, 2011 and 2015. Inae is an instructor for the watercolour workshops for the newcomer program in the Halifax Public Library and works with individual clients on commissions of homes, properties, and landscapes from Nova Scotia and as far away as Toronto and Ottawa. To view more of her work, please visit her website: inaekim.com Gray House, by Inae Kim, watercolour on paper, 18” x 22” (courtesy of the artist)

June 2016 3 PROFILE Willie Troop – ‘Jill’ (and Master) of All Trades

… her Granville Centre home is a work- sister-in-law, Wilhelmina ‘Willie’ Troop, a visit to her home in Granville Centre. shop and showcase for restored antique who lives with her husband Victor in an Wilhelmina Wouterlood van Doesburg furniture and wooden artifacts from historic home in Granville Centre in the was born in The Hague, Holland, and salvaged materials Annapolis Valley. Gordon has regaled immigrated to Canada with her parents me with examples of Willie’s prowess in and four siblings in 1957. They originally Peter Delefes fixing, restoring, and replicating historic settled in Victoria, British Columbia, household artifacts, particularly antique where some years later she met her One of the regulars, myself included, at furniture items. He emphasizes that husband-to-be, Victor Troop, a Nova the Bike and Bean coffee shop inT antal- she has a talent for woodworking and Scotian from the Annapolis Valley who lon, NS, is Gordon Troop, an amazing for reusing salvaged heritage materials. was serving as a recruiting officer with fellow who is a collector of antique cars, During this last winter, after hearing so the Canadian Army in Victoria. After mar- motorcycles, and bicycles. In my conver- much about Willie’s passion for repur- rying in 1962, they lived on a number of sations with Gordon over coffee (tea in posing items, I decided that I had to military bases in Canada, the USA, and his case), during the last couple of years, meet her and possibly write an account Europe, ending up in Cornwallis, NS. In he has become aware of my interest in for The Griffin. 1973, they took up residence in Gran- cultural and built heritage. In this regard, In April, Gordon put me in touch ville Centre, where they acquired an old he has often proudly mentioned his with Willie, who kindly invited me to pay farmhouse (circa 1845) that had been

Willie acquired three inside doors from the Granville Centre All Saints Angli- Willie repaired, stained and re-caned this antique rocking chair which can Church (1825) before it was dismantled and sent to Louisiana; this one belonged to Victor’s mother (author photo) hangs in the Troop house (author photo).

4 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and ‘hands-on’ work, something she took to naturally. As she developed skill at repairing antique furniture, she was given lots of work by local antique dealers, who appreciated her ability to authentically restore damaged items. Friends and family members also called upon her to refurbish furniture with broken, rotted, or missing parts. She became an expert salvager, visiting dump sites, furniture auctions, yard sales, as well as receiving donations of furniture items from friends and neighbours. When I asked her where she would place herself on the repair-restoration- replication spectrum, she succinctly replied, “Fixing antiques.” Although she is not a professional antique restorer with specialized training and certifica- tion in that area, she has acquired skills through research, trial-and-error, and by watching other skilled professionals at work and learning from them. She has Victor and Willie Troop with Peter Delefes in front of their 1845 house in Granville Centre; this Maritime a variety of books, manuals, plans, and Vernacular house is typical of the plain and simple houses built by and for common people in the other resource materials, which she con- mid-19th century (photo courtesy of Kevin Ball) sults when undertaking heritage-related woodworking projects. in the Troop family for years. They call along the buildings on the way home Willie told me that before starting on the property Crow Harbour Farm. It is a from school, she would shape it into a restoration activity she has “to be able working farm, where they raise Hereford something recognizable. Later, when to imagine the finished item and build cattle. Their herd once numbered sixty she came to Nova Scotia and lived on a it in my head.” This reminded me of the head. It’s now down to twelve, which farm, there was a need for self-reliance theory of multiple intelligences and the they use as breeding stock. They also have a sheltie named Jake. I had to arrange my trip to the farm on an inclement day, as Willie and Victor were busy on good-weather days doing fencing repairs on their 100 acre property. Each year, in April and May, they have to replace about 50 wooden posts around the pastures on their property which runs down to the Annapolis River. I was impressed that Willie and Victor, both in their mid-70s, spent several hours each day pounding fence posts into the ground. During my visit with Willie I had lots of questions about how she became interested in salvaging, fixing and restoring old wooden artifacts. She pointed out that as a young girl in The Hague, where most of the buildings are constructed of rough brick, she would find an old piece of wood and, by rubbing it Willie with a couple of her prized Hereford cows and Jake; cemetery in background (author photo)

June 2016 5 Embossed tin ceiling tiles rescued from a dump site by Willie; repaired, Form to shape snowshoe frame (author photo) painted and installed over the wood stove in the kitchen (author photo) category of visual-spatial judgement Willie is a strong advocate of the 4H Later in the morning, when Hannah which entails the ability to visualize Program which teaches students in rural arrived, I watched as the three of them something with the mind’s eye. This is areas about livestock, foods, crafts and bent and fastened the ash strip to the obviously an intelligence which carpen- life skills. She serves as a volunteer leader form. This piece of ash would become ters and skilled woodworkers have in for high school students in the beef, the frame for the snowshoe. In the abundance. crafts and woodworking categories. She living room, another 4H project was un- and Victor are always available to lend derway. This was their grandson Eben’s By increasing the life cycle of a helping hand to their grandchildren 4H project. It was a tack box, about the an object, whether a building with their 4H projects. This was very size of a steamer trunk, made of red oak. or a wooden table, there is less much in evidence when I walked into Its intended purpose was as a supply environmental impact. Respect for their home. It seemed that the entire box for materials for grooming cattle for the resources embodied in crafted house was a 4H work-site. As I entered exhibitions. The tack box was based on objects is a key element in the work the kitchen, I noticed a large contraption an original design. On one side of the of Willie Troop. on the wood stove. There was a three box, the words ’ Crow Harbour Farm’ had metre section of plastic pipe straddling been printed in large letters. Willie is very much engaged in a boiling pot of water and extending Throughout the house were many community activities. For twenty-five well beyond the two sides of the stove. examples of Willie’s furniture restora- years she managed the Annapolis I was informed that, inside the pipe, a tion handiwork. These included tables, Royal Farmers’ Market, one of the largest two metre strip of ash wood was being chairs, hutches, flat-back and corner open-air summer markets in the prov- steamed. Willie and Victor were helping cupboards, cabinets, shelves, doors, and ince. With over 100 vendors, there was their granddaughter, Hannah, with a 4H various ornamental art pieces hung on always a myriad of practical problems project to construct a set of old-style the walls. The accompanying photo- which needed solutions. One such issue snowshoes, replete with webbing and graphs illustrate some of her work. While involved her designing and installing bindings. Alongside the stove there this article focuses on Willie’s talents as a canopies over the stalls to protect the was a home-made form for bending woodworker and furniture restorer, she vendors and their goods from the ele- and securing the ash wood when it was has obviously received lots of support ments. removed from the improvised steamer. from her husband, Victor, who is also a

6 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia POETRY AWARDS UPDATE resourceful person. He and Willie con- The Extraction The Lofts at Greenvale structed several of the outbuildings on their property, including the cattle barn, Roger Davies and Victor built a trailer for transporting cattle, a band-saw mill for producing On the way to have my tooth lumber, and a number of wood-strip extracted – old once-reliable – canoes, just to mention a few of his I pass the hole in the ground projects I saw during my brief tour of where Saint Patrick’s High the farm. Together, he and Willie are fully used to be, and further along, engaged with their family, farm, com- the empty space where the munity, animals, and many activities. rounded whiteness of the CBC building Heritage advocates frequently once stood, and in the heart remind us that the preservation of built of the city, the deep cavernous history is desirable, not only on cultural excavation now filled with steel grounds but also to promote sustain- and glass, the implant towering, ability and to reduce environmental changing the well-worn contours, degradation. They speak of the initial the daily ways, forever. embodied energy in a building or No matter what’s done, object. This is the non-renewable energy something as familiar consumed in the acquisition of raw ma- as the way teeth meet terials, their processing, manufacturing, – originals or newly-formed – transportation to site, and construction. comes to be an expert’s School Chair, by Ilan Sandler, on the lawn of the former Greenvale School, Ochterloney Street, Obviously, energy consumption during new idea. Dartmouth (Griffin photo) the manufacture of buildings and other items was much lower one hundred May 2016 www.htns.ca/awards_past. years ago than it is today. By increas- html#2010commercial ing the life cycle of an object, whether a building or a wooden table, there is Do you ever wonder how past built- less environmental impact. Respect heritage award projects are doing? for the resources embodied in crafted Many continue to function well and objects is a key element in the work of contribute to our streetscapes, but their Willie Troop. Her re-use of materials has original function may not be readily preserved items of cultural and historic understood by younger generations. interest and at the same time has pro- Greenvale School, designed by Andrew moted sustainability. Cobb in 1915, was an important build- Now, when I meet with Gordon ing in Dartmouth. Until it closed in 1980, Troop at the Bike and Bean, I can visual- almost every resident of several genera- ize Willie Troop and fully appreciate tions was a student there. Fortunately, her handiwork. But more than that, her this landmark building was given a new boundless energy, strong work ethic life as The Lofts at Greenvale, with its and prodigious accomplishments have original front and side façades intact. inspired me to get back to work on that In memoriam: CBC Radio Building, corner of This project by Dexel Developments mosaic piece I set aside a few years ago. Sackville and South Park, Halifax, April 2014 Ltd received an award from HTNS in (Griffin photo) One needs to meet a Willie Troop every 2010. Since 2013, the property has been once in a while to resolve to get on with graced (and the original purpose of things. Greenvale referenced) with the large sculpture School Chair by lan Sandler. Peter Delefes is a past President of the As expressed in an HRM press release, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia it refers to “iconic school chair and desk designs … and reflects upon the legacy of the Greenvale School to downtown Dartmouth and its residents, past and future.”

June 2016 7 URBAN HERITAGE 2016 Jane’s Walks in Halifax and Dartmouth

Donald Forbes

The weekend of May 7-8 saw many engaged residents of Halifax and Dart- mouth strolling the trails and pounding the sidewalks in various parts of the city. They were doing this to deepen their understanding of the urban environment in which they live and to honour the legacy of Jane Jacobs, within a week of what would have been her 100th birthday. Jacobs recognized the vital role of citizen participation and the importance of meeting neighbours and sharing knowledge. The ‘Jane’s Walk’ activities support her vision and are part of a global festival of urban explorations led by volunteers in many urban centres each year. Coordinated by Jane’s Walk Interna- tional, sponsored by the Tides Canada Initiatives Society, and organized locally by Sam Austin, the 20 walks offered in the Halifax region this year covered a wide and fascinating spectrum. They ranged from Belcher’s Marsh (off Park- land in Clayton Park) to ‘The Common Link’ (connecting Victoria Park, the Public Gardens, the Citadel, and the Common); from Halifax in the First World War to early Tufts Cove; from 1960s development (‘Halifax Thinks Big’) and a development St James United Church and canal lock stone with mason’s mark circled (Griffin photo) primer to ‘Why Trees Matter’; and from safe crosswalks to pedestrians and ton Avenue in Dartmouth. As a former hill where Helen Creighton’s Evergreen construction sites. One walk focused on resident and historian of the neighbour- House stands today, and occupied sev- firefighting and fire stations in Halifax, hood, she recounted the story of the eral other areas in Dartmouth as well. In another on North Dartmouth history African Nova Scotian community that addition, David described the era of the and the Ropeworks (‘Wyse Road of Yes- made that area home for 100 years. In Nantucket Whalers, the ‘lower ferry’ and teryear’); one set out to find ‘the Neigh- the afternoon, David Jones led a crowd businesses that operated at the foot of bourhood Unit in Halifax’s Westmount’; of about 50 walkers on an exploration Old Ferry Road, the remains and identity and others highlighted important public of Dartmouth Cove, describing the of former wharves throughout the spaces from Sullivan’s Pond to the Dart- first mill constructed in 1749, the early cove, and the approximate location of mouth and Halifax Commons. Stephen development of the town in 1750 with a Napoleonic War prison on Newcastle Archibald led a walk to celebrate the its palisade and four blockhouses for Street. He told the story of six prisoners- decorative brickwork designs of Henry protection against Mi’kmaq attackers of-war who escaped one June evening, Busch, one of the earliest professional defending their traditional use of the ‘borrowed’ a vessel tied up in the cove, architects to practice in Halifax1. area (with French encouragement). and reached the French coast. Other walks uncovered half-for- The estuary that was Dartmouth Cove On Sunday, Rick Walker had volun- gotten history. On Saturday morning, before industrial development was a teered to lead a walk along Portland Adrienne Lucas Sehatzadeh led a ‘Walk rich fishing ground for the indigenous Street in downtown Dartmouth but was up the Avenue’ to the top end of Crich- population, who camped high on the forced to withdraw for health reasons.

8 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia Linda Carvery’s Gottingen Street walk passing the Hope Blooms storefront David Jones speaks to Dartmouth Cove walk participants from the steps of on Cornwallis Street (Griffin photo) Evergreen House, former home of folklorist Helen Creighton and currently the Dartmouth Heritage Museum, on the site of former Mi’kmaq encamp- ments overlooking the cove (Griffin photo)

David Jones stepped in on short notice land Street in the 1930s. rules support innovative development and led another well-attended walk Going back to Saturday, late in the and repurposing of buildings in this part (‘Pleasant Portland Street’) from the Five afternoon, Linda Carvery led a fascinat- of the city, challenges related to gentri- Corners at Pleasant - at one time the ing tour of the Gottingen Street neigh- fication, social equity, and pressure for corner of Bishop, Portland, Albert, Pleas- bourhood from Creighton to Brunswick. larger-scale development remain. ant and Cole Harbour Road - to the foot This touched on former music and Despite the raw weather over most of Portland at Alderney. He recalled the boxing venues, Victoria Hall, the Morris of the weekend, the 2016 Halifax-Dart- flooding in Hurricane Beth (1971) and House, the George Dixon Community mouth Jane’s Walk fostered community the bridge over the Sawmill River at St Centre, the Hope Blooms garden, the awareness and opened conversations James Church where youngsters from Little Dutch Church, St Patrick’s Church, across and between neighbourhoods. the east and west sides would challenge and St George’s Round Church, public Providing new insights and stories to each other. He talked about the Shube- rights-of-way, and the cinemas that enlighten even long-time residents, the nacadie Canal that harnessed the river once thrived on Gottingen Street. Along weekend walks enriched our apprecia- before it was buried in a culvert from the way, there were conversations about tion and understanding of the urban Sullivan’s Pond to just above the har- the limited tenants’ rights and poor environment, history, built heritage, and bour. David pointed out masons’ marks conditions endured by less affluent social fabric around us. on blocks of stone repurposed from residents in the past, and about the canal locks to form a retaining wall at St lack of affordable housing for a range 1http://halifaxbloggers.ca/ noticedinnovascotia/2016/05/a-collection-of- James and recounted his grandmother’s of demographic groups (particularly 19th-century-buildings-in-halifax/ recollections of shopping along Port- families) today. While special planning

June 2016 9 HERITAGE BUILDING Fort Sackville and the Scott Manor House in Bedford

Tony Edwards

On 21 June 1749, Edward Cornwallis arrived in Chebucto on the Sloop of War Sphinx. With him was a flotilla of 13 more ships holding over 2500 people boldly committed to found the garrison town of Halifax. On one of these other vessels, London, was a future prominent Bedford landowner, Col. Joseph Scott. Before being posted to serve under Cornwallis, Scott had served as quartermaster for the Massachusetts 67th Regiment of Foot. Scott busied himself in Halifax in Scott Manor House, Bedford, as viewed from the old road (now a walking trail); date and many of the community’s affairs. He was photographer unknown (courtesy of the Fort Sackville Foundation) first a merchant and a judge of the Infe- rior Court of Common Pleas. Then, with a substantial land grant in what is now But Cornwallis was. He reported that he somewhere in the section of Bedford much of Sackville and east Bedford, he had armed “such of the Settlers as I can that today is called Sunnyside. He is engaged in the lumber business. In 1759 trust with arms.” He continued: “Captain believed to have built Ten Mile House, he became a member of Nova Scotia’s Gorham is gone with his Company to which still stands, in the late 1700s on first assembly. the head of the Bay to remain there land that had been granted to him in all winter – He carried with him his the 1760s. The post at the head of the bay materials of all kinds for Barracks – I have they named Fort Sackville in ordered one of the armed Sloops to [Scott Manor] house is almost honour of Lionel Cranford, Viscount assist him – There he will command the certainly the only full two-storey, Sackville, first Duke of Dorset whole Bay and secure the communica- early Planter, gambrel-roof tion with Minas.” mansion house in Canada Cornwallis reported quite frequently Captain John Gorham commanded to the Lords Commissioners for Trade a group of about 60 Mohawk Rangers. Halifax was a European town. Its and Plantations, the First Lord being On 17 October 1749, Cornwallis wrote narrow streets with accumulated waste Lord Halifax, otherwise known as George to the Duke of Bedford: “The posts of caused the spread of diseases and other Dunk. In his report dated the day after the head of the Bay and Minas are made social ills. Joseph Scott had already arrival, Cornwallis stated that “there are a secure. I have ordered a Detachment of lost members of his family to disease, few French families on each side of the General Phillips to remain in the former so getting out of the town and into a Bay” (meaning Bedford Basin, then called that Gorham with his Company may healthier place was a priority. The safest Torrington Bay). A month later on July scour the Country.” The post at the head location was next to Fort Sackville. With 24 he referred to the basin as Bedford of the bay they named Fort Sackville an additional grant of 16 acres on the Bay. This name change was in honour of in honour of Lionel Cranford, Viscount road to Piziquid (today’s Windsor), also John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford and Sackville, first Duke of Dorset. called the Main Post Road, he built his Secretary of State of the Lords Commis- Col. Scott and his family settled into “Mansion House” in the late 1760s. It was sioners for Trade and Plantations. life in Halifax and his brother George just across the road from Fort Sackville. On 11 September, Cornwallis wrote came to this outpost as well. George Research by Elizabeth Pacey, included in to the Duke of Bedford: “My Lord … I Scott, later Governor of Dominica (and her book Landmarks1, suggests that the have intelligence from all parts of this who was to die there in a duel), received house is almost certainly the only full province … that the Indians of Acadie a grant on the west side of the Sackville two-storey, early Planter, gambrel-roof & St John’s Island … design to molest River. Today a commercial building mansion house in Canada. Among its us this winter – The French do every- named Governor’s Place stands on some distinctive features are the “wishbone” thing in their power to excite them to of that property on Bedford’s Union chimneys at both ends. They look like it – The Settlers don’t seem alarmed.” Street. Joseph Scott operated a grist mill they have windows embedded in them

10 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia Scott Manor House today, with interpretive panel and Fort Sackville in the left background (Griffin photo, February 2016)

and how could that be? The flues from Ross. Ross leased it to John Unwin, who The Ternans made great use of their the fireplaces in the house feed up operated the house as the Willow Park property, held suppers for military as through the chimneys on either side Summer Hotel in 1856. Nine years later, well as civilian friends, and also hosted and allow space for a window to light on 31 July 1865, property documents church picnics. In The Acadian Recorder the attic. indicate that Patrick Goulding, Innkeep- for 31 August 1895, society columnist Col. Scott enjoyed the company er, and his wife Mary secured the house “Lady Jane” reported that “Mrs Ternan of the native people and often invited from Peter Ross and his wife Lydia. In gave a dance and elegant supper at them to camp on his property. In his will, May of 1870 Patrick Goulding listed the their summer lodge to the elite of he asked that he be buried where the “Park House” for sale. The advertisement Bedford Tuesday evening last.” She went natives were buried, and after his death stated that the house contained 16 on to name some of those attending at his “mansion house” in September of rooms, “commands a fine view of the and concluded with the comment: “The 1800, his wish was followed and he was Basin,” and would make either a good dresses worn were unusually grand for buried in what more than 60 years later hotel or a comfortable gentleman’s Bedford.” became the cemetery of the congre- residence. On 12 July 1870, the Manor In 1906, the British military declared gation of All Saints Anglican Church. House was sold to Dr John Ternan, the Fort Sackville to be surplus to its needs. Col. Scott’s widow, Margaret, sold the Fleet Surgeon. It reverted to a private Dr Ternan then acquired the Fort site property to William Sabatier, the sheriff home and remained in the ownership of abutting his home. But the abandoned of Halifax County. He was interested Ternan family members until 1945. barracks and other buildings burned in in experimenting with the growing of 1912. The fire started at Kingscote, the crops such as hemp and apples. The buildings of Fort Sackville home of James Roy, a businessman, Hal- Subsequently the home came into were set ablaze by embers that ifax alderman, and member of the board the possession of George Lister, who drifted on the wind … of the Victoria School of Art and Design. sold it in one of his lot auctions to Peter James Roy owned several houses next

June 2016 11 a provincial heritage property and has been open to the public every July and August since. The grounds are a pleasant place to take a walk and the interpretive panels near the house and on the site of Fort Sackville are very informative. For more than twenty years now, under the energetic and never-tiring leadership of Ann MacVicar, the Manor House has successfully hosted all types of events designed to showcase the history of Bedford and the community. The web site for the Manor House is http://www. scottmanor.ca/.

Tony Edwards is a long-time member of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, a member of the Board, and Chair of the Publications Committee. He is the author View from Fort Sackville to the Scott Manor House; view of Bedford Basin outside image to right of Historic Bedford, published by Nimbus (Griffin photo, February 2016) in 2007.

Endnotes: 1Pacey, E. and Comiter, A. 1994. Landmarks: Historic to each other across from today’s Bed- history of the house and grounds and Buildings of Nova Scotia. Halifax: Nimbus. ford Basin Yacht Club. On July 4th, an the community that surrounds it2. Most 2Tolson, E.C. 1979. The Captain, the Colonel and Me oil lamp was accidentally tipped over in importantly, she accomplished her goal (Bedford N.S. since 1503). Sackville NB: Tribune Press. one of the houses at around 10 pm. The of “saving the house for Bedford’s his- oil spread, ignited, and set that house tory.” On 13 December 1991, the Town on fire.T his fire spread and one after of Bedford completed her quest by final- another all four houses owned by Mr izing an agreement of purchase and sale Roy were destroyed. No lives were lost, for the property as a place to save and Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia but the loss of the buildings was very display Bedford’s history. unfortunate and the property damage The Bedford Heritage Society some included the buildings of Fort Sackville, time before had formed a committee Annual General which were set ablaze by embers that called the Friends of Fort Sackville. It lat- Meeting and drifted on the wind from the fire at the er evolved into the Fort Sackville Foun- Roy houses. dation and when the time came, a letter Illustrated Public addressed to the Bedford Town Council Lecture Elsie Tolson…accomplished her and signed by Allan Duffus, Norman goal of “saving the house for Fenerty, C. Nelson Kennedy and myself Thursday, June 16 Bedford’s history” (all of the Bedford Heritage Society) said 7:00 pm that we had the resources and persons In 1945, Dr Ternan’s descendants to operate the Manor House as a mu- secured another place for his last surviv- seum as long as the Town maintained Allen Penney: ing and now elderly daughter to live ownership and assisted with any major The Uniacke Estate comfortably; the house, now in very repairs that may be needed from time bad repair, was sold to Richard and Elsie to time. Heritage Society members and Tolson. Richard wanted to tear it down others gravitated to the Manor House Museum of Natural History Auditorium and build a new home, but Elsie had and, eventually, the assets, artifacts and 1747 Summer Street, Halifax become enamoured with the history most importantly the photo collection (entrance on lower level from parking lot) of the property and insisted that it was of the Bedford Heritage Society were Information: 423-4807 salvageable. She won her point and they turned over to the Fort Sackville Foun- raised their family of four there. In 1979, dation for display there. The house soon Elsie published a successful book on the was registered as both a municipal and

12 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia PROPOSED RE-PURPOSING Second Chance for Annapolis Royal Regional Academy

Jane Nicholson three units. Prices range from $70,000 Farmers’ Market, and the world-famous to $325,000, although the majority of Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. Take a seventy thousand square foot condos are priced under $200,000. 1930s “redundant” Beaux Arts school Annapolis Royal, once the capital Jane Nicholson is the recipient of two built- on the main street of Canada’s oldest of Nova Scotia, is home to more than heritage awards from the Heritage Trust of European settlement. Add a population 130 heritage buildings, two national Nova Scotia in 2008, one in the residential of fewer than 500 citizens determined to historic sites, a national historic district, category and the other in the commercial save it, coupled with a forward-thinking several museums, a year-round theatre, category. She has been active since early Mayor and Town Council. Reach out a vibrant arts community, a year-round 2013 in the re-purposing of ARRA. to an innovative developer who loves old buildings, and what do you get? A second chance for the Annapolis Royal Regional Academy (ARRA) in, where else, Annapolis Royal. It’s not a done deal yet. Jacob Tan- ner Developments Inc. has proposed ARTIST Inae Kim a condominium development for the school, and has to sell half of the condos before it can start demolition of the old classrooms and subsequent condo construction, but judging from the response at the May 12 condo sales launch, the company has reason to be excited. “We love this town and this building” said Tim Tanner, “and the response to our project has been very gratifying. An- napolis Royal is a beautiful place to live and our condos are a great investment. People appreciate that.” Tanner, principal of Jacob Tanner Developments, has already converted a former 19th century Pictou convent and a New Glasgow school into successful residential properties. For more information about “The Academy” in Annapolis Royal, go to www.ouracademy.ca to Dublin St., by Inae Kim, watercolour on paper, 22” x 30” (courtesy of the artist) see the floor plans and virtual tours of

June 2016 13 LECTURE Simeon Perkins’ House in Liverpool is Not in Peril

Simeon Perkins House, Liverpool, c.1950 – restoration work carried out in 1947 clearly left the building drooping over the partial cellar (author’s photo of original in Queens County Museum)

Allen Penney issues close Liverpool heritage site” and construction methods was not dem- the house was indeed not open to the onstrated in the text or photo captions. Simeon Perkins, a Connecticut-born public for an entire season. These alarm- Building physics was misunderstood planter, merchant, privateer sponsor, ing pronouncements appeared to arise and damage resulting from the inter- militia officer, and community leader in from misconceptions of the structural vention was serious. In the lecture, I Liverpool, NS, left a rich legacy in his diary system employed in the house. On 15 demonstrated that the damage to the and the house he built and moved into in September 2015, CBC reported that “Per- building had occurred sixty or more 1767. This home is one of 27 sites of the kins House faces expensive repairs if it’s years ago, making present panic un- Nova Scotia Museum and has been open to ever re-open” and that “Government necessary. to the public every summer for over 65 won’t commit to repairing 249-year-old My authority to challenge the ef- years until 2015, when it was closed to visi- Liverpool building.” This appeared both ficacy of the investigation and interven- tors on the pretext of structural failure. This misinformed and bound to undermine tion is based on a career in architecture article provides a summary of the author’s public confidence in the Nova Scotia spanning over sixty years, having experi- presentation to the Heritage Trust of Nova Museum. That repairs to the house ence with buildings as old as 600 years, Scotia in its monthly public lecture series would cost “$500,000 to $700,000” was and from teaching building conserva- on 23 March 2016. even more alarming. This cost bears no tion. My 330 page Curatorial Report on relation to the perceived damage seen the Perkins house for the Nova Scotia In 2015, the Perkins House Museum in at the house. Later the CBC modified the Museum was published in 1987. In Liverpool, NS, was suddenly of interest website to show a cost of $500,000 and preparing that work, I produced archival to the media. On 26 May 2015, CBC re- they published a redacted 48-page en- measured drawings of the house. I have ported: “the entire perimeter is support- gineer’s report that had been submitted come to appreciate the house and have ed by jacks” (jacks were present, but not to the Government. been privileged to describe it to several all provided support). Two days later, the The report referred to settlement, audiences, including the ICOMOS Wood Chronicle Herald reported: “Perkins House whereas there was obvious uplift. Committee of UNESCO. in Peril” with its standfirst: “Structural Knowledge of historical materials and The first 45 years of its history were

14 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia described by Perkins in his Diary, and the last 30 years before becoming the property of the Province were recorded by Thomas Raddall. The latter assembled 20 pages of extracts from his personal diary in 1959. This raises the issue of the date of the house, commonly but incorrectly stated as 1766. Buildings are usually dated from when they are completed or sufficiently completed to be occupied. Why nobody quotes Simeon Perkins for the date of the house is odd. Perkins wrote on 26 March 1767: “House not ready. No glass.” On 18 April 1767, Per- kins wrote: “Today I move into my new house.” The house was still not finished in September 1767, but because it was first occupied in April 1767, that should be taken as the year of construction. Visiting the house in October 2015, I Perkins House in August 1982, with large horse chestnut tree (since cut down) that acted as a natural encountered dramatic changes com- sump pump (photo courtesy of the author) pared with my first visit over 40 years ago. Twenty jack posts were installed in the cellar and another 42 on the main it can be demonstrated that no move- with horizontal planks laid from stem floor to support the upper part of the ment occurred prior to the early 1900s, to stern. The Perkins house is vertical house. More than one post was relying and possibly as late as 1935. Moreover, plank on both wall and roof. In the same on an unsupported sill to carry its point between the mid-1950s and today, article the house is described as having load. Other posts relied on ill-supported there was no perceptible deforma- “corkscrewed and shifted.” No indication sills on ill-formed dry stone walls, or on tion. This suggests all the deformation of horizontal movement was found at sills with rot. The upper floors and roof seen today took place between1935 the house. are now supported by roughly three- and 1955, coinciding with the first sill The suggestion that the house quarters of a ton of 42 steel jack posts replacements in 1947. Thomas Rad- needs expensive repairs, including a placed on sills that are condemned dall, author and historian (but not an new foundation, flies in the face of its elsewhere in the report, neither inves- architect), supervised the work. Raddall successful survival without a foundation tigated nor recorded. Access to inspect invited me to tea and we discussed his for the past 249 years. This recommen- the under-floor supports had been work of restoration, especially the return dation is highly dubious, inappropriate, achieved at the cost of finished floor- of the main staircase to the front of and contrary to best conservation prac- ing that was split during removal, and the building. Queens County Historical tice. Adding a foundation under a house subflooring sawn into short lengths Society sold the house to the Provincial that never had one destroys all oppor- for no apparent reason. Unnecessary Government for $1.00 in 1947. tunity for future accurate interpretation. damage to 250-year-old materials is On 25 June 2015, the Chronicle The Perkins House is protected by the unacceptable. Large gaps left open in Herald stated that the house had been Standards and Guidelines for the Conser- the main floor over many months had “modelled … after an upside-down vation of Historic Places in Canada. The allowed moisture to accumulate in the ship’s hull.” The construction tells a dif- Government of Nova Scotia accepted house, condense on cold surfaces, and ferent story. The Perkins House is a clear this standard. As a museum house, it pass through freeze/thaw cycles, leaving example of pure Connecticut plank- should not be altered. After accession, considerable damage. With no ventila- frame construction, built by Connecticut museum objects are protected, so the tion, this was inevitable. Added dead craftsmen for a Connecticut client, using National Building Code is irrelevant. load of jack posts on the questionable a well-tested, two-century-old, building On 3 February 1782, 150 people met at sills could now cause uplift in the middle system. Other than Thames Barges, and Simeon Perkins’ house. Since then the of the floor. various small craft where planks laid nor- floor over the cellar has been strength- By checking deformation of the mal to the keel form a flat bottom, ships ened three times: adding joists, beams, building using old datable photographs, and boats are built from keel to gunwale and jack posts. The house was probably

June 2016 15 stronger when built than is required by today’s code. The proposal to install heating is impractical. Fan heaters were installed in 1957 and removed later in the century because they were too expensive to operate. The thermal resistance in the building envelope is very low and can- not be improved. A significant part of the historical interpretation is from the thermal rigour imposed on the visitor. It is best illustrated by Perkins’ inkwell, which remained frozen though it sat on a table in front of the fire all day in Janu- ary 1780. Most worrying is moisture damage inside the house. Barns last without heat, but with ventilation. Ventilation is missing from the Perkins House. Exces- sive moisture is now damaging finishes and causing distress. With no solid floor, the house is acting like a garden cloche, collecting moisture from the ground to Upper floors were double planked and the roof as well over purlins between rafters; the immensely strong planes of floors, walls, and roof caused the construction to become a diaphragm building, very condense on all cold surfaces, which capable of resisting hurricane force winds (drawing by the author) then sustain frost damage. The engineer’s report did not address water issues on the site. A large horse chestnut tree was removed from close to the house. When in leaf it typically transpired 270 US gallons of water per day to the atmosphere: a solar powered sump pump. Rainwater from the roof of the Queens County Museum is discharged directly onto the ground that slopes towards the Perkins House. The new museum and parking lot cover roughly 20% of the site with an impervi- ous surface, limiting evaporation, with no visible drainage system. This underground and surface challenge to the building had not been recognised. In summary, some simple steps could be taken to address the moisture problem, the condition of the sills, and Plank-frame construction, usual in Connecticut, has a light frame and vertical plank walls; floors are to restore appropriate support for the double-layered plank; fireplaces and chimneys were built after the house was enclosed and resisted wind loads; the house was built on dry sandy soil so needed no deep foundation (drawing by the wall planking. The house is not in dan- author) ger of collapse.

Allen Penney is a retired architect, former professor of architecture, former Research Associate of the Nova Scotia Museum and author of Houses of Nova Scotia, 1989.

16 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia NEWS Updates from Around the Province

Some members of the HTNS Board are Grand-Pré: we remember our ancestors), • The News (New Glasgow) reported on specifically tasked with representing and Anne Maire Lane Jonah (French taste the need for funding to enable up- their regions and we present here some in Atlantic Canada: a culinary journey grades at the Carmichael-Stewart Mu- news items highlighted in their reports. between Acadie and Louisbourg) –see seum, for which a public fund-raising Readers are encouraged to forward fu- http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/ campaign will be initiated along with ture news items to the regional contacts grandpre/activ/causeries-talks.aspx. applications for government grants. (see December issue of The Griffin for a list of regional representatives on the • Members of the West Hants Burial So- • No new updates on the old Pictou Post Board). They can be reached through ciety are working to identify old homes Office or the Commercial Cable Building [email protected]). shown on the Church maps which are in Hazel Hill. still standing in Kentville today. • Valley museums are gearing up for • The Municipality of the County of Rich- another season. In Middleton, the An- • On the South Shore, museums are mond, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, napolis Valley Macdonald Museum gearing up for another tourism season, and the Heritage Cape Breton Con- opened for the season on April 1 (Mon- encouraged by confirmation that there nection hosted a workshop on Building Fri 10:30 am to 4:30 pm). In Kentville, will be a ferry operating between Yar- Regulations and Heritage Buildings in the Kings County Museum opened on mouth and Portland this summer. Arichat on May 4. Invited speakers were April 4 (Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 4:00 pm). The Jeffrey Reed, heritage consultant, and Wolfville Historical Society operates • Delay in announcing plans for the Jim Donovan, senior building inspec- the Randall House Museum, which repair and reopening of Perkins House tor in the Halifax Regional Municipality. opened May 1. The West Hants Histori- in Liverpool is a concern, particularly The session focused on conservation of cal Society Museum in the old Meth- with the 250th anniversary coming up heritage buildings and approaches to odist Church on King Street, Windsor, in June. maintaining heritage integrity without is open Wednesdays 10:00 am to 3:00 compromising safety, which may in- pm. Prescott House, Starr’s Point, Kings • The South Shore Genealogical volve alternative solutions that achieve County, opens for the season on June 1. Society, homeless for several years, the safety goals of the code. has secured a new location in the old • The West Hants Historical Society Lunenburg Academy, one of several • One of the last centre-chimney homes hosted a heritage banquet on March new tenants supporting the adaptive in Inverness County, the MacLellan 19 at the Windsor Legion. Over 300 reuse and maintenance of this remark- House (at least 170 years old) was torn people attended to hear a presenta- able heritage structure on Barracks Hill down recently; over the last 20 years, at tion by archaeologists Jonathan Fowler, in Lunenburg. least five such houses have been lost. Sara Beanlands, and Rob Ferguson on the history, artifacts, and other physical • The Historic Sites & Monuments • The Old Sydney Society is celebrat- remains lying underground and forgot- Board announced 39 new National ing its 50th Anniversary; events have ten in the region. They described the Historic Designations across the country included a talk on April 28 by Ken methods used to uncover this history, this year, of which three are in Nova Sco- Donovan on Fifty years of preserving and including new technology such as tia: Melville Island and Deadman’s Island promoting Cape Breton Heritage: the Old ground penetrating radar and drone (designated May 2016); the Nova Scotia Sydney Society, 1966-2016. cameras used at Fort Edward. Coal Strikes of 1922 to 1925; the 18th Century Mi’kmaw-French Alliance. • Les Amis de Grand-Pré are still working to determine the location of the Acadian church and planning is under- way for Acadian Days in July. Public talks on July 16 will be presented by Delbé Comeau (Boat building in the villages of Clare during the 19th and 20th century), Clint Bruce (Convergences, divergences: l’Acadie et la Louisiane au 21e siècle), Lucie LeBlanc Consentino (They lived at

June 2016 17 LECTURE James W. Macnutt QC – Building for Justice: Historic Courthouses of the Maritimes

A report on the lecture delivered 21 April 2016 in the HTNS monthly public lecture series

Janet Morris

The courthouse buildings of Nova Scotia were the subject of an illuminating talk by Philip Girard, presented to Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia in March 20091. Courthouses are among our finest public buildings in communities throughout the Maritimes and richly merit a second contemplation on their architectural significance. This lecture in April by James W. Macnutt QC, a lawyer from Charlotte- town, PEI, was based on his recent book by the same title, published by SSP Publications of Halifax2. In his presentation, he focused on Nova Scotia’s courthouses, carefully reviewing them Poster by Greg McGrath to illustrate his thesis that the internal layout of a building will tell you what goes on inside. As well, the exterior built authority derived from the Crown, was Baddeck, Victoria County 1889 form interprets the formalities of the expressed architecturally in that the up- Lunenburg, Lunenburg County 1891-92 use. In short, Mr Macnutt shone a new per chamber with the throne was on the Kentville, Kings County 1904 light on how architectural form follows right, the lower chamber was on the left, Digby, Digby County 1908-10 function. and straight ahead sat the court. Nova Halifax (new Law Courts) 1971 The influences of Great Britain and Scotia’s Province House, with its symme- the American Colonies are readily appar- try, proportions, and demi-lune concave Macnutt pointed out that trials (and ent in the design and layout of court- arches, is not Palladian as has sometimes legislative functions) initially took place houses as well as legislative buildings in been suggested4, but Adamesque. This in taverns: hence the meeting-house the Maritimes. The speaker’s earlier book is a lighter, more decorative, neoclassical style of early buildings like the Tusket on Maritimes legislatures3 emphasized style promoted by architects Robert and Courthouse. The court buildings were the neoclassical influence prominent in James Adam in the decades preceding first built to provide a lock-up; hence both types of building in this region. construction of the building in 1811- the frequency of raised buildings with Important public buildings [used 1819. thick stone foundations discouraging to] express the aspirations of the com- The speaker helpfully provided dates break-outs. munity. There was a see-saw between of many Nova Scotia courthouses as The neoclassic style promoted Greek and Roman influences, just as follows: symmetry, which complemented the there was an ongoing philosophical functioning of the court. There were battle as to which culture represented Tusket, Argyle County 1803-1808 two court reporters, so they could cross- the apex of civilization. The provincial Annapolis, Annapolis County 1837 check their records; there were two legislative buildings often housed an Arichat, Richmond County 1847 jury benches, one for the Grand Jury, upper and lower chamber as well as Liverpool, Queen’s County 1854 another for the Petit Jury (whose seating the Supreme Court, as seen in the Nova Antigonish, Antigonish County 1855 was slightly smaller). The oval table was Scotia legislature (the oldest in the Halifax, Halifax County 1860-61 for counsel and the accused sat nearby country). The interior design, wherein all Amherst, Cumberland County 1883-89 and behind– an American tradition.

18 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia A departure from traditional court- The Victoria County Courthouse in Bad- Continued from page 20 house style is exhibited in the Annapolis deck has lost its original interior save for SS Atlantic Heritage Park Society Royal Courthouse, which the speaker the main staircase. The speaker noted Terence Bay, NS identified as a replica of the Villa Emo, with interest the fact that a small town With a museum and boardwalk by the grave a Renaissance villa in Italy, designed by such as Baddeck erected such a distin- site in scenic Terence Bay, the interpretation a student of Palladio. This community, guished, elegant building. centre commemorates the wreck of the SS Atlantic off Lower Prospect in 1873 and com- in 1837, considered Palladian as the The original wooden clapboard memorates the heroism of the local people highest form of architecture, hence the courthouse in Lunenburg, with hooded who rescued the survivors. Open May 21 to adoption of that style for their most lancet windows and an interior mural of October 31 daily 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. significant building. Perhaps the idea the Royal Coat of Arms, is now the Angli- Blessing of the Boats, Sunday July 24, 2:30 pm at the memorial monument, worship led by was to put greater weight on the “house” can Parish Hall. The present Lunenburg Rector of Anglican Church, with boats of all aspect of a courthouse. The interior of courthouse and town hall, built in 1893 kinds gathered alongside in the river estuary. the building is colonial revival, as the by prominent Halifax architect Henry Reception afterwards in Terence Bay Fire Hall. Remembers all lost at sea. All welcome. Free ad- original interior was destroyed by fire. Busch, is Second Empire in design and mission. 902-852-1557; [email protected]. The courthouses are expressions of constructed of brick (atypical in Lunen- ca; www.ssatlantic.com the skill of master builders of the time. burg). The Colchester County Court- Three courthouses, those in Arichat, An- house in Truro is also brick and stone in Scott Manor House 15 Fort Sackville Road, Bedford, NS tigonish, and Sherbrooke, were built by an Edwardian neoclassical design, back Bedford’s oldest house reflects over 200 years of one Alexander MacDonald of Antigon- to symmetry and Roman arches. The local history. Come for the history, but stay and ish, who studied handbooks and pattern throne-like judge’s chair on the judicial enjoy wonderful outdoor concerts, meet local books. He went to the USA where he dais has been replaced with a modern artists, purchase a one-of-a-kind piece for your home, and learn about garden design from the found and measured buildings he liked ergonomic chair. master gardeners. Let interpretive panels guide and thought suitable. The Queens Coun- The Kings County Courthouse in your walk through the grounds of the former ty Courthouse in Liverpool, decommis- Kentville is now a museum, in which the Fort Sackville, and take in the commanding sioned this year, is a perfect example of wonderful cabinetry backdrop has found views of Bedford Basin. Enjoy refreshments in our air-conditioned tearoom. Open July and Greek Revival architecture; all decorative a new use. The cupola air vent has been August, 10:00 - 4:00 pm daily. detail was originally structural. The Doric maintained. In Digby, the courthouse is www.scottmanorhouse.ca and follow us on columns in the Liverpool Courthouse identical to the one in Miramichi, New Facebook and Twitter were replaced by Ionic columns in the Brunswick, which has been decommis- Uniacke Estate Museum Park Antigonish Courthouse, which had the sioned and sold to a private developer. 758 Highway #1, Mount Uniacke, NS added feature of an interior gallery. The speaker noted that repurposed 200th anniversary this year. Enter the doors The Halifax Courthouse on Spring buildings should find uses compatible of the grand old house and discover a place untouched by time, containing original family Garden Road, designed by William with their architectural style, which we furnishings, portraits, and personal belongings, Thomas, is a severe, intimidating, even ignore at our peril. The Pictou Court- set out as they were when Richard John Uni- brutal building intimating that you enter house, a David Sterling creation, burned acke lived there. Eight interpretive nature trails at your peril (see poster illustration). Its down as a result of arson. The building on the sprawling 930 ha estate with its rich natural heritage, historic archaeological sites, architect is best known today for the had a Flemish gable, baroque columns, and splendid forests and vistas. Open June 1 to Don Jail in Toronto. The Halifax building and pure Victorian design elements. Oct 3. 902-866-0032; https://uniacke.novascotia.ca saw an addition at the back includ- Its fate is perhaps an expression of the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives ing a Palladian tripartite window with decline of authority in our world, and its 22 Collins Street, Yarmouth, NS fanlight over the centre, and a stained loss impoverishes the community and Annual Mammoth Garden and Yard Sale (books, glass representation of Lady Justice; erases an important record of its history. antiques, toys, plants, baked goods, etc.), July perhaps Halifax relaxed a bit when the 16, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Night @the Museum, August 20 when the sun stern Torontonian returned home. The Endnotes: 1Reported in the June 2009 issue of The Griffin goes down, the museum will bring the past to 1971 Law Courts on Upper Water Street 2J.W. Macnutt QC, Building for Justice: The Historic life! With the help of some of Yarmouth’s im- in Halifax, are a Brutalist design, reflect- Courthouses of the Maritimes. Halifax: SSP Publica- portant historical figures, Night @the Museum ing in concrete the form of 18th century tions, 192 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9868733-3-1 (2015): will feature storytelling, games, trivia, videos http://ssp.ca/ and much more. Contact for more details: Gary post and beam construction. Here again, 3J.W. Macnutt, Building for Democracy: The History Gaudet, 902-742-5539; [email protected]; the effect is imposing, uninviting, even and Architecture of the Legislative Buildings of Nova http://yarmouthcountymuseum.ca/ threatening. Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Halifax: Formac Publishing, 128 pages, ISBN: Amherst’s Cumberland County 978-0-88780-930-0 (2010): http://www.formac.ca/ Courthouse is neoclassical Roman- Book/1446/Building-for-Democracy.html esque in design, with lovely detail in its 4Canada’s Historic Places (http://www.historicplac- es.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=1682) masonry, and has been well maintained.

June 2016 19 Programs Sponsored by Other Societies

Antigonish Heritage Museum restored and contains books and artifacts from Music at the Three Churches, Mahone Bay 20 East Main Street, Antigonish, NS the era of the one-room schoolhouse, as well July & August Complete list of concerts: www. Weekly Ceilidh Thursdays 7:30 pm, June 30 to as photos of the Provincial Normal School and threechurches.com Sept 1. Outdoor Ceilidh (Highland Games Week) College. Open June 1 to August 31, Monday- July 6, 7:30 pm Friday 10:00 am -5:00 pm. Old Sydney Society 902-863-6160; [email protected]; www. 902-895-5170; littlewhiteschoolhousemuseum@ Celebrating 50th anniversary this year, the soci- heritageantigonish.ca bellaliant.com; littlewhiteschool.ca ety operates Cossit House, Cape Breton Centre for Heritage & Science, St. Patrick’s Church, Jost Colchester Historeum Lordly House Museum House. For more details: oldsydney.com 29 Young Street, Truro, NS 133 Central Street, Chester, NS Colchester: Life in the Heart of Nova Scotia, new Annual Heritage Auction and Flea Market July 9, Queens County Museum multi-media exhibit in main gallery telling the 9:00 am Flea Market, 9:30 am Auction, at Ches- 109 Main Street, Liverpool, NS story of Colchester County. Visit the archives ter Train Station (20 Smith Road), admission $2. 250th Anniversary of Perkins House, Friday June and the museum gift shop. Open year-round. House and Harbour Tour of a number of local 24 to Sunday June 26, 9:00 am -8:00 pm daily. 902-895-6284; colchesterhistoreum.ca historic homes and boat tour of Chester’s har- Historic Encampment, opens June 24 at 5:00 bours, starts at the Chester Train Station, August pm and continues to June 26 at 3:00 pm, DesBrisay Museum 27, 10:00am –4:00 pm, $30. grounds of Perkins House. Sunset Services with 130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater, NS Carol Nauss 902-275-3842; lordlyhouse@ cannon and musket firing, June 24 & 25 at 8:00 At Your Service, Early Organizations of Bridgewa- ns.aliantzinc.ca; chester-municipal-heritage- pm, Privateer Park. Privateer Parade, June 25 at ter, a tribute to the early service organizations society.ca 11:00 am, Streets of Liverpool. Historic Wedding, in Bridgewater. Exhibit open June 5 to Sept 11, June 25 at 3:00 pm, grounds of Perkins House. Tues-Sat 9:00 am -5:00 pm, Sun 1:00-5:00 pm. Mahone Bay Museum Historic Church Service, June 26 at 10:00 am, Admission: family $8, adult $3.50, senior $2.50, 578 Main Street, Mahone Bay, NS Privateer Park. Historic Battle between The Kings child (5-12) $2.00 Museum open May 28-Oct 2 Forces and invading enemy Privateers, June 26, Town of Bridgewater Garden Party, Celebrat- Home & Garden Tour July 9 &10 2:00 pm, Fort Point. ing the Roaring Twenties. Sunday, August 7, 902-624-6263; [email protected]; Linda Rafuse 902-354-4058; Linda.A.Rafuse@ 2:00-4:00 pm, Free admission. Dress in Period mahonebaymuseum.com novascotia.ca; www.queenscountymuseum.com Costume; Refreshments and Entertainment (Rain or shine). continued on page 19 Guided tours of historic Brookside Cemetery, July 4 at 2:00 pm and August 13 at 2:00 pm; $5 per person. 902-543-4033 for details and tickets; www.desbri- Locations of subject matter in this issue saymuseum.ca

East Hants Historical Society Lower Selma Museum, located in former Lower Selma United Church on Route 215. Monthly lectures: Cemeteries, Deborah Trask, at East Gore Com- munity Centre, June 14, 7:30 pm History of Walton Lighthouse, Bill Thompson, at Walton Lighthouse, July 10, 2:00 pm Open House at Lower Selma Museum, August 14, 2:00 pm An Afternoon with Clary Croft, September 11, 2:00 pm, $20, to purchase tickets: 902-758-2570; [email protected] [email protected]; www.ehhs.weebly. com

Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia 33 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, NS Tufts Cove Cemetery Tour, Lovett Street, Dart- mouth, Saturday June 18, meet at 9:30 am for 10:00 am tour (2 hours), no charge but please RSVP to [email protected] (rain date Sunday June 19 at 1:30 pm)

Little White Schoolhouse Museum 20 Arthur Street, Truro, NS (on grounds of the NSCC campus) Step back to the days of slates and handbells. Formerly a school building, the museum is fully Base map data courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada

20 The Griffin • Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia