Brampton's Iconic Historic Mansion Has Been Transformed Into A

times A Newsletter of The Brampton Heritage Board 2015 Source: John Ryan Alderlea Awakens! Brampton’s iconic historic of the finest examples of Italianate architecture in Ontario. It is believed that Chisholm retained mansion has been transformed one of Canada’s leading architects of the day, into a magnificent event venue. William Kauffman, to design the home after being impressed by his work on the Peel County Court The much anticipated opening of Alderlea, Brampton’s House just across the street. The original grandeur crown jewel, has arrived! Following a comprehensive of this structure included a large front lawn and plan involving selective demolition, heritage garden which is currently Gage Park, Brampton’s first restoration, adaptive reuse, and a complementary municipal park. addition, Alderlea has been transformed into a In 1944, the Royal Canadian Legion purchased magnificent event venue. Alderlea, which they expanded in 1947 with a Built between 1865 and 1879 for Kenneth two-storey addition called “Memorial Hall”. The Chisholm M.P.P., son-in-law of John Elliott, a City of Brampton purchased Alderlea in December founding father of Brampton, Alderlea is one 2002 as part of its sesquicentennial in order heritage to protect and conserve this significant cultural heritage resource in the heart of the downtown core. With support from Council, the knowledge, skill, and collaboration of City staff, architects, consultants, contractors and specialist trades- people, as well as the patience and cooperation of neighbours and the local community, Alderlea has come back to life. The rejuvenation of Alderlea began in 2010 Source: John Ryan 2 The Brampton Heritage Times Newsletter 2015 with the demolition of the Legion addition, followed by the removal of non-heritage elements from the structure. The next stages saw the interweaving of old and new. Original defining features on both the interior and the exterior were carefully restored or recreated, the latest climate control, electrical and mechanical inspired from Source: John Ryan systems were introduced, and a new addition 19th century was constructed. interior design and furniture. enjoy the beauty of the property. Alderlea can As one approaches Alderlea, they are The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee accommodate up to 80 people for sit-down immediately struck by the Italianate architec- Pavillion, which now houses the main event events and 110 people for cocktail parties. The ture including generous eaves, large turned space, was a contemporary interpretation of second floor, named the Chisholm Room, may brackets, bay windows, wrap-around verandah, the original conservatory that once graced be used as a bridal suite or breakout space. !Q% . tall windows, wood detailing, corbelled the north façade of the Alderlea. It is named The venue features a state-of-the-art audio/ chimneys, red and buff brick, and the delightful in honour of the sixtieth anniversary of Her visual system and WiFi. The original belvedere that crowns the roof. and restored details of this nearly Inside, especially on the main 150 year-old space will charm floor, the rooms further reflect the visitors for decades to come. City’s commitment to retaining and Alderlea stands as a monument to our heritage and a showcase of the successful synthesis of classic and contemporary. Its revival will be celebrated with an official grand restoring Alderlea’s unique heritage character while creating a modern, flexible space. Eleven foot ceilings, Majesty’s accession to stunning decorative plaster- the throne as Queen of work, large wood moulding and trim, marble Canada. It features floor-to-ceiling windows fireplaces, and a marvelous set of pocket and opens out onto the landscaped gardens. Source: John Ryan doors with etched glass allude to the Upon booking a function at Alderlea, opening ceremony in spring/summer 2015. opulence of the mansion’s past. Many of these clients will have exclusive use of the venue, Bookings are now being accepted for features were hidden under walls and ceilings whether the event is a wedding, conference, spring 2015 onward. For more information, for decades, like treasures waiting to be social gathering or photo shoot. This allows please visit www.brampton.ca/alderlea or discovered. The elegant Dining and Morning for a thoughtful use of space and rooms for contact [email protected] Rooms are complemented by a décor theme every gathering, and enables guests to fully Source: John Ryan The Brampton Heritage Times Newsletter 3 Who Was Kenneth Chisholm? Kenneth Chisholm was born in Source: PAMA Toronto Township in 1829 and became an influential politician and Source: PAMA businessman in Peel County from the mid-1800s. highly decorative, with elements such as After working as a grain salesman in the early 1850s, Chisholm entered into a business partnership with generous eaves, large brackets, tall and Italianate Matthew Elliott, son of Brampton founder John Elliott. narrow arched windows, bay windows, Their store at Main and Queen Streets dealt in general quoins, low-pitched roofs, pedimented merchandise, grain and produce. Architecture windows and doors, and balustrated In 1863 and 1864, Chisholm purchased two plots of Alderlea is a fine example of Italianate balconies. land from his father-in-law, John Elliott, totalling over architecture. Inspired by Tuscan architecture One of the most notable features four acres between Elizabeth Street and Main Street during the Italian Renaissance, this style of the Italianate style, particularly the South. On this property he built Alderlea. experienced a period of popularity from Italian villa, is the presence of one or Chisholm entered politics in 1866 as a Council member of the Village of Brampton. A year later, he was 1850 to 1900, and was seen as an alternative more towers (also referred to as a belvedere elected as the first Reeve of the municipality, a position or campanile) and the asymmetrical to the Classical Revival and Gothic he held for 11 years. For three of those years, he served Revival styles. composition. Italianate structures enliven as Warden of the County of Peel, the first Bramptonian The adaptability of Italianate a streetscape due to their ornamental to hold that post. architecture made it an appealing style appearance. The style was popular with Chisholm held the position of postmaster for that could accommodate the needs of both residential and commercial buildings Brampton from 1855 - 1873, until he was elected to domestic living. This style tended to be across Ontario. the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1873, replacing John Coyne. He served as a Liberal member for Peel for 19 years. Chisholm also served as a director of the Central A Timeline of Alderlea Bank of Canada, vice-president of the Haggert Manu- 1867 - 1870: Alderlea (meaning meadow of Alder trees) is built for Kenneth Chisholm facturing Company, and following his retirement from 1902: Large portion of Alderlea estate severed politics, as the registrar for Peel County until his death 1903: Sir William Gage donates part of the former estate for a public park in 1906. The Chisholm-Elliott business failed in the depres- 1903: Gage Park becomes the first municipal park in Brampton sion of the 1890s. As a result, the grounds of Alderlea 1916: Alderlea sold to the Salvation Army and the adjacent Elliott Estate were put up for sale. 1944: Alderlea sold to the Royal Canadian Legion During his time of public prominence, Chisholm 1948: Legion builds a two-story addition called “Memorial Hall” contributed much to his community. Along with his 2001: Alderlea is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by the City of Brampton father-in-law, he was instrumental in establishing 2002: City of Brampton purchases Alderlea from the Legion Brampton as a centre of Primitive Methodism in Canada. 2009: City of Brampton begins restoration of Alderlea He donated land for St. Paul’s Primitive Methodist 2014: Alderlea opens for adaptive reuse as a special event centre Church, and stone from his quarry for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. He also gave land for and built the town’s concert hall. Chisholm contributed generously to the Brampton Agricultural Society, and is credited with being a founding member and organizer of Brampton’s first golf, cricket and tobogganing clubs. Resources: Gayle M. Comeau-Vasilopoulos, “Chisholm, Kenneth,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 13, University of Source: Walker & Miles Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Peel, 1877 Toronto/Université Laval, 2003. 4 The Brampton Heritage Times Newsletter 2015 William Higgins House A look into the history of the man and his home To the casual observer, it appears to be a quaint and quiet side street; a leafy few blocks lined with stately trees and century homes. But in reality, in today’s downtown Brampton, Isabella Source: Jeff Chalmers Street represents much more. Named after the wife of Classicism design, but also and Catherine. English settler and farmer Robert because of its history. A large In 1908, Higgins purchased lot number 53 Lowes (1780-1843), Isabella Street part of that history has to do on Isabella Street from the estate of Robert runs in a north-south direction with two successive deaths Lowes for the sum of $225. A house was built between English and David Streets one block within five months, and the story of the the following year. Sitting on what today west of Main Street North. It’s part of a survival of those left behind during the Great would be considered a large lot, the two and a section of the city known as “The Washington Depression. half story house is of simple design and noted Block”. Presently, the majority of vehicular William Higgins was born in Broddytown for its stone sills, bulls-eye stained glass window traffic is northbound. It wasn’t always this way, (now part of Brampton) in 1876.

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