Spring 2017 VOLUME 42 150 REFLECTIONS ISSUE 1

WORKING COPY.indd 1 2017-04-20 7:08:57 PM Interested in hosting a future Ontario Heritage Conference? We are presently looking for communities who would be interested in hosting our Annual Ontario Heritage for future years starting with the 2019 opening. Hosting a conference is a great way to showcase your community and all the great work you do in heritage conservation.

For more information and deadline please view the RFP posted on www.communityheritageontario.ca

Stratford/St. Marys Ontario Heritage Conference, May 12-14, 2016 co-hosted by ACO and Community Heritage Ontario. Photos Liz Lundell

WORKING COPY.indd 2 2017-04-20 7:09:01 PM CONTENTS 1 From the President by Catherine Nasmith

2 Sir John A. Macdonald Was Here by Lindi Pierce

4 Public Works in Ontario: An architectural legacy Spring by Sharon Vattay Issue 2017 6 William George Storm: Toronto’s Architect by Loryssa Quattrociocchi

8 New Province, New Farmhouses by Shannon Kyles

10 Victorian Inspiration: Yesterday’s Buildings Inspire Tomorrow’s Architects by Jacob Drung

12 Merrickville's Alloy Foundry: A landmark business older than Canada by Mark Old eld

14 Misener House, West eld Heritage Village by Jamie MacLean

16 Homer Ransford Watson: Renowned artist of Doon by Jean Haalboom

18 Halton Hills 150 Project: Celebrating Lucy Maud Montgomery in Norval by Patricia Farley

20 Eric Arthur and Barnum House: The founding of Architectural Conservancy Ontario by Richard Longley

22 A 150th Present for Prescott Basilica of Our by Bonita Slunder Lady Immaculate 28 Norfolk Street 24 The Gore Centennial Fountain, 1967 Guelph, Ontario by Marilyn Scott

Photo: 25 An 1875 home becomes Ridge House Museum Loryssa by Marlee Robinson Quattrociocchi, 2016 26 The Old Town Hall, 1867, Cookstown by Elaine Splett

27 Bois Blanc Island’s Blockhouse Bon re, 1867 by Debra Honor

28 The National Arts Centre’s Rejuvenation by Victoria Angel and Jennifer Mallard

Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 3 2017-04-20 7:09:11 PM Editorial Committee Susan Ratcli e, Guy Burry, Leo Calogero, Liz Lundell, Dan Schneider

Managing Editor Liz Lundell

Photo Editor Guy Burry Spring Issue Graphic and Layout Designer 2017 Leo Calogero Suite 403, 10 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3 Template Designer T 416.367.8075 Jeni er Millburn F 1.877.264.8937 F 416.367.8630 Contributing Authors/Editors/Photographers E [email protected] www.arconserv.ca Victoria Angel, Younes Bounhar, Jacob Drung, Patricia Farley, Jean Haalboom, Debra Honor, Shannon Kyles, Norm President Li, Richard Longley, Liz Lundell, Jamie MacLean, Jennifer Catherine Nasmith Mallard, Catherine Nasmith, Mark Oldeld, Lindi Pierce, Loryssa Quattrociocchi, Marlee Robinson, Megan Ryan, Vice-Presidents Dan Schneider, Marilyn Scott, Bonita Slunder, Elaine Splett, John Harrison Sharon Vattay Christine Rier Leslie Thompson Publisher Secretary Architectural Conservancy Ontario Shannon Kyles Architectural Conservancy Ontario gratefully acknowledges the Past President ongoing support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Richard Longley the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister

Executive Members-at-Large SSN: 0704-0083 Phil Carter © 2017 ACORN is a publication of Architectural Conservancy Kae Elgie Ontario. No parts of this publication can be reproduced without Jean Haalboom permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed by our writers Sarah Hill and contributors do not necessarily reect those of Architectural Jocelyn Kent Conservancy Ontario. George Rust-D’Eye Alan Stacey Charles Wickett ADVERTISE IN ACORN

PreservationWorks! 2017 RATES Phil Carter, Manager Full page $750 R. Scott James, Advisor Half Page $400 Peter Stewart, Advisor Quarter Page $200 1/8 Page $125

Sta Please email [email protected] to book an ad for our Fall 2017 issue. Will Coukell, Chief Operating Ocer All ads are printed in full colour. Elizabeth Quance, Branch Coordinator Marie May, Bookkeeper

WORKING COPY.indd 1 2017-04-20 7:09:11 PM B

FROM THE PRESIDENT Canada 150 — Looking Back and at Canadian history, painting back in key Looking Forward missing gures and stories. Painting in historic European styles from the seven- Canada 150 celebrates Canadian history teenth to twentieth century, Monkman since several British colonies became inserts his artistic muse, Miss Chief Eagle the Dominion of Canada. In “A Fair Testickle, a two-spirited gure into sev- Country”, John Ralston-Saul points out eral tableaux. In a repainting of the Fa- that many of the things that make us thers of Confederation, called “Daddies” distinctly Canadian, such as embracing Miss Chief lounges suggestively in the the newcomer, come from Canada’s foreground, her back to the audience. indigenous peoples. Ralston-Saul’s thesis is that Canada has three founding The show will be touring Canada until cultures: French, English and First Na- 2020, with two more stops in Ontario. Catherine Nasmith ACO President tions. He also points out that the British While nothing can compare with the Photo: Sue Roden approach to indigenous Canadians was actual show, which has sculpture, paint- markedly di erent from the partnership ing and historic artifacts, some of the between the French and First Nations paintings from the show can be seen on initiated by Samuel de Champlain. The Kent Monkman’s website. http://www. French encouraged trade and intermar- kentmonkman.com/events/ riage. Champlain allied with the Huron Notwithstanding all the great things and Wendat against the Iroquois. Canada is in 2017, I am nding it hard Two hundred years later, the Iroquois, to celebrate Canada 150 on the heels under the great leader Tecumseth, of the Truth and Reconciliation Com- fought with the British during the War of mission. Rather, I am wondering about 1812. Part of that alliance was an agree- ACO’s role in re-building Canada’s narra- ment that signicant territory between tive, to include all of our stories. As Gord Canada and the United States would be Downie received his eagle feather in deeded to Tecumseth and the Iroquois if 2016, he said he was thinking ahead to the British won. Canada 300, “I will personally then cele- brate the birth of our country, celebrate Canada would not exist as an indepen- the next 150 years. It will take 150 years dent country were it not for Tecumseth’s or seven generations to heal the wound forces and his brilliant military col- of the residential school. To become a laboration with General Brock, yet how country, and truly call ourselves Canada, much are we taught about Canada’s it means we must become one. We must indigenous heritage? walk down a path of reconciliation from now on. Together, and forever.” The University of Toronto Art Museum’s Canada 150 project, Shame and Preju- — Catherine Nasmith dice: A Story of Resilience created by Cree/Irish artist Kent Monkman o ers illumination. Monkman, a highly skilled painter, sculptor and curator puts a spoonful of humour in his medicine. The show takes a very tongue in cheek look Spring 2017 ACORN 1

WORKING COPY.indd 1 2017-04-20 7:09:12 PM Sir John A. Macdonald Was Here by Lindi Pierce

Bellevue House, 35 Centre Street, Kingston, built 1838-40. Photo Lindi 169-171 Wellington Street, Kingston, part of an adaptive reuse project, Pierce, 2014 which will add residential units above the 1835 brick structure. Photo Lindi Pierce, 2017

Sir John A. Macdonald, “the man who The young lawyer represented 1843). Here their son Hugh John, who made us” as biographer Richard Gwyn commercial and criminal cases at the was to grow up to become Premier of dubbed him, maintains an enduring 1834 Prince Edward County Court House, Manitoba, was born in 1850. The double presence through the architecture of the a grand classical statement in ashlar with house is of limestone and has a six bay Kingston and Bay of Quinte regions. Many a monumental portico. Legend has it Georgian form, with parapet walls, stone buildings associated with Macdonald that Macdonald defended himself here corbels, and a later shed dormer and survive 150 years after Confederation on a charge of assault following a scue classical portico. — places where our new country’s rst (he was quite the rapscallion). As eldest son of his clan, John A. Prime Minister lived and practised law In 1835 John A. returned to Kingston assumed responsibility for his widowed before and during his political career. to establish his law practice. The mother, sisters Louisa and Margaret, and In 1820, Hugh and Helen Macdonald early stone house at 110-112 Rideau Margaret’s husband. Macdonald rented and wee son John immigrated to Upper Street (c.1810), owned by the family’s a number of homes to accommodate the Canada from Scotland. After stays in Macpherson relatives, became home to family, and serve as his legal residences Kingston, and later on the south shore of Macdonald, his parents and sisters. while he represented Kingston as Hay Bay, the family relocated about 1829 John A. Macdonald and his rst wife Member of Parliament. The re ned stone to Stone Mills (now Glenora) in Prince Isabella are remembered in two well- house at 134 Earl Street (1866) with its Edward County, where Hugh managed a preserved homes in the city. Bellevue parapet end walls, squared coursed mill. House (built 1838-40) at 35 Centre stonework and recessed entry with Loyalist Peter Van Alstine’s 1806 Street is the (then) rural home to which ashlar voussoirs and keystone is but one stone mill was home to the young John they relocated in 1848-49, for Isabella’s example. A. on summer holidays from his studies health. Here the couple’s rst son died. John A. Macdonald’s law career in Kingston. Of local limestone, the mill is The picturesque Tuscan villa, with its can be traced through a number of four storeys in height with a loading door exotic white stucco walls, square tower, Kingston commercial buildings. At age and anking windows at each level. Its balconies and pennant-like vergeboards, 15 he apprenticed as a lawyer at 171 gable end faces Adolphus Reach, its back is now a National Historic Site. Wellington Street. The building is now nestles under the escarpment edge. The From 1849-52 John and Isabella part of an adaptive reuse project, which picturesque mill is now a private home. resided at 180 Johnson Street (built will add set-back residential units above

2 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 2 2017-04-20 7:09:14 PM the 1835 brick structure and an adjacent Second Empire style bank building. The dormered three storey building is visible in the photo, under a green shroud. From 1849-60 Macdonald’s law o ce was housed at 343 King Street East. The simple four bay structure with roof dormers and tall chimneys is now a popular pub. Sir John A. would have approved. Macdonald and his law partners moved to 93 Clarence Street in 1860. The brick façade has been modernized, retaining second storey sash windows and window hoods, and cast iron shop front elements. Appropriately, the building accommodates law o ces. Kingston City Hall was begun in 1843 with great optimism while Kingston was, briey, the capital of Canada. Fronted by a classical pediment on monumental columns and topped by a circular drum and dome with cupola, City Hall is one of the province’s nest classical buildings. Here, John A. served as Alderman at the Prince Edward Country Courthouse, built 1832-34. Photo Lindi Pierce, 2015 beginning of his career; as Prime Minister, he lay in state here after his death in 1891. There are countless other buildings in Ontario associated with Sir John A. Macdonald. Homes or o ces in Hay Bay, Adolphustown, Napanee and Picton, both extant and lost, await further research. This year will see a proliferation of “Sir John A. Slept Here” publications. A particularly ne example is Sir John A’s Napanee, by Jennifer Bunting, former archivist at the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives. New research will make it even easier to follow our rst Prime Minister’s architectural trail.

About the Author Lindi Pierce is a Belleville-based heritage writer and regular contributor to County and Quinte Living, Country Roads, and Outlook, the newsletter of the Hastings County Historical Society. She shares her passion for heritage architecture on her blog Ancestral Roofs. Lindi is a member of

ACO Quinte. Kingston City Hall where Macdonald served as alderman at the beginning of his career and lay in state after his death in 1891. Photo Lindi Pierce Spring 2017 ACORN 3

WORKING COPY.indd 3 2017-04-20 7:09:17 PM Public Works in Ontario An architectural legacy by Sharon Vattay

The buildings of the Asylum for the Insane in Mimico (now Toronto) designed by Kivas Tully and constructed between 1888 and 1894 have been adap- tively reused as the Lakeshore Campus of Humber College. Photo Courtesy of Sharon Vattay If one were to take stock of the of Ontario the power to appoint an the establishment of the Department public buildings of Ontario that post- architect and engineer whose duties in the late-1860s were the repairs and date Confederation, a common thread included “the preparation of maps, plans improvements to the existing Parliament would reveal itself — that thread is and estimates for all public works which Buildings in Toronto – buildings that pre- the connection to the then newly- are about to be constructed, altered dated Confederation (having originally established Department of Public Works or repaired.” The rst architect to join served as the seat of government for the Province of Ontario. It was under the new Department of Public Works for the Province of Upper Canada). the British North America Act of 1867 that was Kivas Tully (1820-1905). Already Another building that came under the certain classes of public works (including well-known as the architect of Lincoln Department of Public Works’ purview prisons, hospitals, asylums, and schools) County Courthouse in St. Catharines at the time of Confederation was the came under the jurisdiction of the (1848-49), Trinity College in Toronto unnished residence of the Lieutenant Province of Ontario. Simultaneously, (1851) and Victoria Hall in Cobourg Governor, also located in Toronto. This a Federal Department of Public Works (1856-60), Tully assumed responsibility residence designed by architects Gundry was also established and assigned the for the design, construction, alteration and Langley for the viceregal of Upper construction of building types such as and maintenance of numerous public Canada would, upon Confederation, post o ces and custom houses. buildings across the province for close to become the home of the rst Lieutenant- Subsequent to Confederation, an three decades. Governor of Ontario, His Excellency the “Act respecting the Public Works of Tully’s reports to the Commissioner Honorable William Pearce Howland who Ontario” (which received assent on 23 of Public Works, beginning in 1868, held the position from 15 July 1868 to 11 January 1869) gave the Lieutenant- summarize the dozens of projects over November 1873. Governor of the newly-created Province which he presided. Initial projects upon Other early projects designed and 4 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 4 2017-04-20 7:09:19 PM supervised by Kivas Tully under the Plans by Kivas Tully were approved on reused for a variety of purposes – the aegis of the Department of Public Works March 9, 1868, and were forwarded to former East Durham Registry O ce in of the Province of Ontario included the Councils throughout the Province for Port Hope and the former North York Ontario Institution for the Education their own use. The plan was used in Registry O ce in Newmarket are both and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in numerous counties and cities including used as local archival repositories and the Belleville (1868-70; demolished 1922); the St. Catharines (1869); Pembroke (1869); former Renfrew County Registry O ce insane asylum in London (1869-70); the Cobourg (1869); Goderich (1870); Owen in Pembroke is now incorporated into Ontario Institution for the Education and Sound (1870); Cornwall (1870); London the rehabilitated courthouse complex. Instruction of the Blind in Brantford (1870; (1870); Port Hope (1870); Cayuga (1870); With the designation of many of the demolished 1971); the Central Prison Walkerton (1870); Picton (1871); Whitby Department of Public Works buildings in Toronto (1871; demolished 1920); an (1873); Bracebridge (1876); Sault Ste. under the Ontario Heritage Act that insane asylum in Hamilton (1870); and Marie (1878); North Bay (1886); Brampton architectural legacy may thankfully the Andrew Mercer Ontario Reformatory (1890); and, Minden (1895). survive for many years to come. for Females in Toronto (1878; demolished While many of the post-Confederation 1969). buildings designed and built under Kivas About the Author The construction of Land Registry Tully and the Department of Public Works’ Sharon Vattay, Ph.D., is an architectural O ces was also directed by the purview have been lost over time, we are historian based in Toronto. She served two Department of Public Works. Across the still able to appreciate many sites that have terms on the ACO Provincial Council and Province, these buildings performed come to constitute the physical legacy of was one of the founding members of the an important function, being designed the post-Confederation Department of re-established Hamilton Region Branch of to safely store deeds, lot surveys, and Public Works. The buildings of the Asylum the ACO. Currently Sharon is an associate land instruments. Upon a suggestion for the Insane on Lakeshore Road in at GBCA (Goldsmith Borgal and Company put forward by the Inspector of Registry Mimico/now Toronto (1888-1894) have Architects), preparing conservation O ces, it was determined that all been adaptively reused as the Lakeshore strategies for properties throughout the Registry O ce buildings should be Campus of Humber College. A number province. erected according to a uniform plan. of the Registry O ces remain and are

Construction of the former North York Registry Office in Newmarket was also directed by the Department of Public Works. These buildings were de- signed to safely store deeds, lot surveys, and land instruments. Photo Courtesy of Sharon Vattay Spring 2017 ACORN 5

WORKING COPY.indd 5 2017-04-20 7:09:21 PM William George Storm Toronto’s Architect by Loryssa Quattrochiocci Although the Cumberland and Storm Esplanade Avenue at Yonge Street. This partnership was dissolved in 1863, Storm was announced in the November 8, continued to work under the rm’s name 1865 issue of The Globe where it stated until 1866. After that point, Storm worked that “the Great Western Railway Station largely on his own. He dipped his toes in was in the process of being erected by all realms of architecture: he designed Mr. Storm, architect, near the foot of institutional, ecclesiastical, commercial Yonge Street.” It was also mentioned that and residential buildings throughout the “when nished it will become one of the province, and displayed his versatility as nest buildings on the continent.” This an architect by building in various styles sentiment was shared in the January 2, dominant during the century. 1865 issue of The Leader which stated Great Western Railway Station (1864-5), Yonge His earliest commission was the that “the building, when complete, will St., northeast corner of Esplanade East, 1867. Photo Octavius Thompson, Courtesy of the Wesleyan Methodist Church (1852) be second to none this side of Boston.” Toronto Reference Library in Cobourg. It was built in the early Evidently, such bold statements would The province of Ontario is by no English Gothic Revival Style, which have only been made if the writers had means short of architectural jewels was popular in Britain during the mid- full condence in Storm’s architectural thanks to the tenacity and fervour to-late nineteenth century and was abilities. This suggests that by then of nineteenth-century architects. In transmitted to Canada through British- Storm had become a highly respected re ecting on the feats made by these trained architects (such as Storm) and Toronto architect. architects, as well as others working in clergymen and the circulation of Gothic During the 1860s, Storm would our nation during the last 150 years, one Revival church pattern books. be aorded the opportunity to leave particular gure comes to mind: William In 1862, Storm received the his mark on one of the city’s most George Storm (1826-92). While Storm commission to design the oces of the fundamental buildings: Osgoode Hall. periodically ventured outside of the City Northern Railway Company on Front The building was originally constructed of Toronto – designing buildings from Street West at Brock Street. His design in 1829-32 and designed by John Ewart Muskoka to Cobourg and everywhere must have been positively received with the assistance of W. W. Baldwin in between – it was in Toronto that he as, two years later, he designed the with both Palladian and Neoclassical most profoundly helped shape the built passenger and freight station of the architectural details. Throughout the environment throughout the mid-to- Great Western Railway Company on building’s history, it served as the late nineteenth century. Osgoode Hall (1829-32), Queen Street West, 1910. Photo Courtesy of the Toronto Reference Library Storm immigrated to Upper Canada from Burton-upon-Stather, Lincolnshire, England, in about 1830 and settled in York (Toronto). After receiving training from his contractor father during the 1840s, Storm was articled to the prominent Toronto architect, William Thomas (1799- 1860), who was responsible for, among other important designs, St Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto (1845-48). In 1848 or 1849, Storm entered the oce of Frederic William Cumberland (1820-81); their relationship proved to be positive as the two men entered into partnership for nearly 12 years.

6 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 6 2017-04-20 7:09:23 PM College (1880), Old City Hall (1882-7) and Victoria University (1890-92). An architect of this magnitude and prowess warrants recognition and praise as we reect on this nation’s 150 years of architectural progress.

Sources • "Great Western Railway; Opening of the Yonge Street Station; Excursion to the Falls; Lunch at the Clifton House, Speeches, &c.," The Globe Toronto (5 March 1866), p.2 • Hill, Robert G., Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950 (2009) • Morriss Shirley G., “Storm, William

St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, King Street West (1874-6), 1899 Illustration George,” Dictionary of Canadian John Ross Robertson’s Landmarks of Toronto (1904) Biography, vol.12 (University of Toronto/ Université Laval, 2003), headquarters for the Law Society of monumental structure was constructed • “New Buildings in Toronto: Gratifying Upper Canada. In 1844-6, the centre and in Georgetown rubble walling with Ohio Signs of Progress! Buildings, Stores, west wings were added to the designs of blue and brown stone facing, and varied Church, &c.,” The Globe Toronto (8 Henry Bowyer Lane. In 1857, Cumberland by the introduction of relieving arches November 1865), p.1 and Storm replaced the centre wings and and bands of Queenston red-brown • Parks Canada, “Osgoode Hall National added other decorative and structural stone. The red, polished granite columns Historic Site of Canada,” in Canada’s components, and in 1865, the law school are from the Bay of Fundy. Storm loosely Historic Places. was added to the rear of the east wing to modelled the design on that of Kirkwall • “Progress of Toronto: Improvement the speci cations of Storm. The building Cathedral. This depicts Storm’s intellect During the Year 1864,” The Leader (2 was listed as a National Historic Site of as an architect; by modelling the design January 1865), p.1 Canada in 1979, and the wrought iron for his church in Toronto – which was • Robertson, John Ross, Landmarks of fence that Storm designed in 1866 was designed for the Scottish Presbyterian Toronto; a collection of historical sketches listed as one of the features contributing population – on an important cathedral in of the old town of York from 1792 until to the building’s heritage value. Scotland, he was aligning his church with 1837, and of Toronto from 1834 to 1904 Interestingly, the “cow gates” through an important ecclesiastical building in (John Ross Robertson: Toronto, 1904) which the grounds are entered are similar the congregation’s motherland. Although • “Tenders Wanted,” The Globe Toronto (13 in design to cattle gates that were built to St Andrew’s is in the “Scottish baronial December 1880), p.7 contain livestock. It has been rumoured style of design”– whereas Kirkwall was a • “The New St. Andrew’s Church,” The that these gates did once repel cows and Gothic/Romanesque hybrid – his edi ce Leader (8 February 1867), p.8 other animals, although here has been no was praised in the April 21, 1875 issue of • “The New St. Andrew’s Church: Laying proof to support this. The Globe as “a very ne specimen.” of the Corner Stone- Description of the The following decade, in 1874, Storm Suce it to say, there are far more Edi ce,” The Globe Toronto (21 April 1875), was tasked with designing the new buildings that bear the mark of this p.4. St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on exceedingly brilliant architect. By the time King Street West to replace the original of his death in 1892, Storm had designed About the Author building on the south-west corner of nearly 80 buildings in the province. Loryssa Quattrociocchi is the Vice Chair of Church and Adelaide streets, which was Although some are no longer extant, and ACO NextGen. She holds a Masters degree built in connection with the Church of others were somewhat smaller projects, in Art History and Visual Culture from Scotland in 1830. The cornerstone for Storm was evidently a well-respected the University of Guelph and is currently the new church was laid on April 20, architect, working on other important a D.Phil. in History student at Oxford 1875, and the opening service took buildings in Toronto, including Toronto University specializing in architectural place on February 13, 1876. The new General Hospital (1878), Upper Canada history.

Spring 2017 ACORN 7

WORKING COPY.indd 7 2017-04-20 7:09:25 PM New Province, New Farmhouses by Shannon Kyles Much information has been written Fergus may be original. If so, they would Canadian (and American) style. — some insightful (MacRae, Blumenson), have been “laid in hair mortar” (p 133, The anonymous author explains that some tedious (me) — about the many 1864). The rest of the article is equally “In building hollow walls, care should Ontario buildings that fall into categories luminescent. be taken to tie the outside and inside or styles of architecture that are based, for The L-shaped farmhouse, a perfectly bricks every fourth course. The interior the most part, on European precedents. obvious building shape, was probably surface of the exterior bricks should be Italianate, Regency, Georgian, Queen the result of a growing family. Looking well plastered as the walls are built. If this Anne — all started in Great Britain or on at the skeleton of the farmhouse in is carefully done, a warm and dry house the continent. Most buildings, however, Flamborough, one can see a three-bay will be the result.” It is interesting to note were not following any particular style Georgian with a gabled wing added to that a plaster vapor barrier, which is what and were brought about by ordinary the front. This early farmhouse, once a the article describes, and a three-inch people whose motivations were more general store, was most likely a single- trapped air space between two wythes practical than aesthetic. These building family dwelling. Then, when the owners of plastered bricks will not only last a footprints were then copied, nurtured few hundred years, but is approaching and augmented by builders and current building code standards. It’s all craftspeople who transformed the basic about the trapped air. building type into art. Make no mistake. The Canada Farmer directly and Without great craftspeople, there cannot indirectly tells about many interesting be, and never could have been, great trends in housing. An article about architecture. freshening up a log cabin appears in The modern heritage enthusiast February, 1864. By adding a porch and a is lucky to have, for guidance on roof gable, an old place can look “tasteful, Confederation-era residences, The Plans for a new home published in The Canada even ornamental.” Also published in 1864 Farmer explain why this stone farmhouse in Canada Farmer journal from 1862 to Fergus is so similar to others across the province. are various porch designs for log cabins. 1867, which o ers delightful illumination Photo Shannon Kyles This clearly indicates that a lot of people on what the average home owner was were still living in log cabins at the time building. The Canada Farmer can be decided to put on a store, they added of Confederation. accessed through your local library and the retail section to the front. Over the The other basic building type, the within its pages one nds inventive ways years, passing land owners may have Gothic Revival cottage like the one in to eliminate the corn weevil, the new and remarked on the value of a shaded front Caledon, is also detailed. The reference to improved three-legged milking stool, porch, as well as the interesting shape. “white brick” is to painted brick, not the and the proper way to dry horse manure Other builders fancied a small roof gable lighter-coloured yellow brick that was so that it provides both insulation and in the back portion to allow for more available after 1867 when the railroads comfort. As well, several articles present light in the bedrooms. A bay window made transportation of heavy building the plans, elevations, and best-practice could be added when the crops were materials practical. building methods for a new home. consistently good. From the humble, The rst few styles are for smaller For those who keep their eyes rubble stone store in Flamborough, families and smaller houses. By 1867, open — and not necessarily on the through a few generations of opulence when there was clearly excitement in the road — while driving along Ontario’s and developing taste, one gets the air, two new styles were detailed. One older trade routes, these articles explain same building footprint presented in was an Italianate Farmhouse for a family why an incredible stone farmhouse Lynden with paired cornice brackets, needing eight bedrooms. Interestingly, in Fergus is so similar to the fabulous an ornamental Italianate porch, and they had no indoor bathrooms. The rst brick farmhouse in Goderich, some 130 ginger-breaded wraparound porch. The bathroom appears in the over-the top kilometers away. It is similar right down building is called a “Suburban Villa.” The design for a “Country House.” to the “wood work [painted] a warm thing to remember is that this building We are lucky to have so many of drab colour.” The shingles on the roof in style won’t be found in England. This is a these beautiful farmhouses still intact,

8 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 8 2017-04-20 7:09:25 PM dotted across the countryside and adding charm to the green Photos: Shannon Kyles spaces of the province. We are even luckier to be able to look Top left: The Farmhouse in Flamborough had a retail up the building methods and the reasoning behind many of the section for a general store added to the front. construction decisions. We can only hope that these buildings Top right: A “Suburban Villa” in Lynden with paired will be properly restored and kept for another few hundred cornice brackets and an ornamental Italianate porch, years. 1876. Bottom left: Gothic Revival cottage in Caledon. About the Author Bottom right: By 1867, when there was clearly excitement Shannon Kyles is an architectural historian and professor at in the air, Italianate houses such as this one in Guelph Mohawk College in Hamilton. She also serves on the Executive made their appearance. The style was detailed in The Committee of Architectural Conservancy Ontario. Canada Farmer.

Spring 2017 ACORN 9

WORKING COPY.indd 9 2017-04-20 7:09:29 PM Victorian Inspiration Yesterday’s Buildings Inspire Tomorrow’s Architects by Jacob Drung

Before the construction of Highway these places, which had previously seen that I have, as I want to create buildings 401, the King’s Highway 2 brought cars little ornament added to buildings. His that will excite the occupants and give and drivers on a scenic journey from work began to declare that Canada was them the feeling that I so often got at Windsor to the Quebec border. Much of its own nation and its people deserved Thorn Hedge Place. the highway travels through a beautiful a more robust and independent On the eve of Canada’s 150th corridor bound by the majestic St. architecture. It ushered in an era of birthday, I think this story tells how Lawrence River on one side and rolling growth and prosperity, and remained heritage architecture is both living hills — lled with treasures of early tasteful, while respecting its more stoic history and an inspiration for the Loyalist architecture — on the other. This architectural predecessors. future. Johnston was an early pioneer is especially true in the Brockville and One such property that Johnston in the relatively modest areas of Eastern Prescott area, where it is not uncommon designed was Thorn Hedge Place, just Ontario, and his buildings reect this. to see grand stone estates and churches outside of Prescott, Ontario. This home He was respectful of the area’s past, but juxtaposed with humble farmhouses was originally designed for James Quinn, designed for a bright and exciting future, and chapels. Maitland, a small town owner of one of the largest breweries and created buildings that spoke to the east of Brockville, is a stunning example. on the St. Lawrence. Built in the early newly minted “Canadians.” Within a few square kilometers, one 1870s, it is a beautiful three-storey Much of Ontario’s heritage nds Maplehurst, an imposing home Italianate gem with an amazing view of architecture reects this optimism. The built for an English nobleman in 1829; the river in the front, and elds divided Victorian buildings are inspirational, the Church of St. James, built 1826, one by stone fences at the rear. The home showing the hope of a new immigrant of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival was complete with a grand mahogany family, or the pride of a hard- working style in the province; the well-preserved staircase, imported from England, and industrialist and that is why they are remains of an early windmill on the a marble replace from the quarries of worth protecting. They, in turn, continue river; and the Blue Church, a beloved Vermont. to inspire those of us today to make bold one-room meetinghouse, which may be I came to know this house when I moves and create inspirational designs one of the smallest places of worship in was a child visiting my aunt and uncle just as Johnston did, while respecting Ontario. who lived there. Ever since I was young, our surrounding context. Much of the architectural styling I would take on the role of the young Creating designs for an exciting within these towns and villages remained master, exploring the attic and tower, future, while remaining true to what the same between the beginning of sliding down the banister and running came before is crucial to maintaining the nineteenth century and the time of around the trails behind the home. the amazing architectural landscape Confederation. However, as the fortunes Looking back, as early as the rst grade, that we have. Ontario’s rich architectural of people in these river towns grew and I remember that while other children history is something worth preserving, the Ottawa elite discovered the beauty were drawing their dogs and cats, I was and to damage it, would be to damage of the landscape, architectural styles drawing a slightly skewed version of the inspiration of generations of future began to change. One of men at the the home, with its widow’s walk and architects. forefront of this movement was architect all. Since then, drawings and photos of James P. Johnston. Although American the home have lled my sketchbook as About the Author born, Johnston created most of his best- I’ve tried to decode what excites me so Jacob Drung is a second year student known works in Canada. Beginning much about it. Whenever I travel back up at the University of Waterloo School of around Confederation, he started the driveway, I am greeted with feelings Architecture. He lives in the scenic village designing grand homes, churches and of excitement and awe. This home has of West Montrose. public buildings throughout Prescott, imparted so much joy and excitement to Brockville and the surrounding areas. me, and it made me wonder if others had His work brought the introduction of a place like this in their own lives? This Victorian opulence and grandeur into question inspired me to take up the path 10 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 10 2017-04-20 7:09:29 PM Sunset over Thorn Hedge Place. Photo Jacob Drung, 2016

Stone cottage outside Prescott. Photo Jacob Drung, 2015

Spring 2017 ACORN 11

WORKING COPY.indd 11 2017-04-20 7:09:32 PM Merrickville’s Alloy Foundry A landmark business older than Canada by Mark Oldfield No one knows exactly how it along the banks of the Rideau River But their plans were blocked by zoning happened, how humans came to master where water-power and access to issues. the ores of the Earth. It’s not hard to transportation are readily available. Karl, who had served as a senior understand the attraction of a gold By 1867, the foundry was churning federal government bureaucrat, worked nugget lying on a muddy river bank. out components for more than 30 local his connections in Ottawa to nd an That’s probably where the love a air manufacturers. Anyone who needed electronic-induction furnace being sold started. But who came up with the idea anything made of metal — a con- o by a foundry in New Brunswick. He of mixing copper and tin to make a handle, a harness part, straps for an oak bought the machine and had it shipped new metal, one that was easy to shape barrel — could take their drawings to to Merrickville. So it was that a couple yet incredibly strong? For reasons we the foundry and order as many copies as of city-slickers with no experience in don’t entirely understand, the Bronze they liked. metallurgy became an unlikely link in Age began more or less simultaneously It was an era of tremendous the chain of history. in China, India and Mesopotamia some prosperity, but it wouldn’t last long. By The Feiges have been running the 7000 years ago. Once our ancestors the late 1880s, most of the region’s major business for a quarter of a century now. discovered the wondrous utility of metal, communities were connected by rail. Their limestone building on the Rideau there was no looking back. Commerce was leaving the canal for this is more than just a local landmark. When Today, in Merrickville, Ontario — a faster, cheaper mode of transportation. you step inside, you step through a lovingly-preserved Loyalist village on Merrickville — which missed out on the door to the past. The rooms that house the banks of the Rideau River 45 minutes railway boom — slid quietly into decline. the furnace and workshops are huge south of Ottawa — the ancient art of One by one, the hulking stone buildings and dimly lit, but very much alive with making useful things from metal lives that housed its early industries were activity. Fat-bellied machines used to on. abandoned, dismantled or repurposed. melt metal decades ago stand side-by- Karl and Linda Feige run Canada’s Fortunately, that part of the village is side with state-of-the-art equipment oldest continuously-operating foundry, protected now, within the bounds of the that can be red up to make anything rst opened in 1851. Few businesses Rideau Canal National Park, which also from the elaborate wrought-iron fencing in this country can claim a 165-year carries a UNESCO World Heritage Site that surrounds the Governor General’s heritage! The story of the Alloy Foundry designation. residence at Rideau Hall to special-order is a story of adaptation. In the beginning The Alloy Foundry is the only pre- parts for the Ferrari racing team. it was all about stoves and plows, two Confederation business still operating The furnace is more ecient now, things every homestead needed. But as in the historic zone. It changed hands but the tools and techniques of the the population of the Rideau grew, the many times over the years, and the work foundry trade haven’t changed much role of the foundry quickly changed. that went on inside changed too. During since the early days of Confederation. Picture yourself in Merrickville in the First World War cannons rolled o The production begins with a drawing, 1867. It is a bustling town of roughly the assembly line. As tractors replaced from which a three-dimensional mould a thousand inhabitants with all the horse-drawn plows, the foundry became is made. The mould is pressed into a amenities of the Victorian Age. The a parts supplier for farm equipment sand compound, where it leaves an Rideau Canal, originally built as a companies like Massey Ferguson and imprint. Liquid metal is then poured into military bypass between Kingston and International Harvester. the sand, like lava brimming from the Ottawa, now serves as the region’s prime When Karl and Linda came along in mouth of a volcano. After a few minutes commercial corridor and Merrickville 1993, the business was in urgent need the sand is knocked away and a metal is at the peak of its prominence, home of modernization, with a leaky furnace object miraculously emerges. to grist mills, saw mills, woollen mills, that was expensive to run and hard to Most foundries these days prosper tanneries, carriage works, furniture control. The Feiges weren’t looking to by mass-producing one simple item factories, cooperages and dozens of buy a foundry. They liked the location — brake shoes, for example. The Alloy other industrial enterprises — many of and thought the property would be Foundry in Merrickville has gone the them, including the foundry, clustered ideal for a guesthouse or river-side cafe. other way with a fast, exible approach

12 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 12 2017-04-20 7:09:32 PM to business. The foundry works with a wide variety of alloys and the sta can retool quickly to meet demand, no matter how technically challenging or artistically daring the project might be. The Feiges recently began shipping out 139 exquisite bronze drum hoops to First Nations communities across the country. The hoops, designed by a group of aboriginal artists as a permanent reminder of the su ering inicted on indigenous people by the residential school system, feature intricate braid- work on the outer surface and delicate pictographs on the inside. They are a superb example of the specialized work that goes on within the storied walls of the Merrickville Alloy Foundry. As our nation enters the second half of its second century, new customers keep coming and this unique heritage business keeps on adapting.

About the Author Mark Old eld is a professional writer and photographer who lives in Merrickville. His extensive communications experience includes television production as well as writing and producing documentaries. He has a passion for history, heritage, and all the quirky, beautiful places that make Ontario such a delightful place to live.

Photos: Mark Oldfield Top: Merrickville Alloy Foundry, built 1851 on the north shore of the Rideau River, is the oldest foundry in continuous operation in Canada. Centre: Made in Merrickville. Elaborate wrought-iron fencing graces the Governor General’s ocial residence at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Bottom: To commemorate the residential school tragedy, the Assembly of First Nations had several native artists work together to design a bronze marker intricately decorated inside and out.

Spring 2017 ACORN 13

WORKING COPY.indd 13 2017-04-20 7:09:33 PM Misener House Westfield Heritage Village by Jamie MacLean

Misener House kitchen, Westfield Heritage Village. Photo Melissa Fletcher, 2015

D. Glenn Kilmer and Golden “Goldie” upon are featured. in Beverly Township at Troy in the early L. MacDonell, two Brantford high One of the earliest buildings donated 1830s, being the rst family member to school teachers, purchased 30 acres to the Village was the Misener House. This farm on Lot 10, Concession 3, followed by in Rockton, Ontario in 1960 as Canada building was relocated to West eld in his son Nicholas Misener who purchased was leading up to its centennial. They 1962, and was originally situated on the adjoining acreage. Nicholas gave the envisioned a unique project that would southwest portion of Lot 10, Concession town of Troy two acres for a church develop a pioneer village as a non-pro t 3, in the town of Troy, Beverly Township, and cemetery. The church was built educational institution. in what is now the Regional Municipality on the lot by the Episcopal Methodist It was among several commemorative of Hamilton-Wentworth. congregation of which the Misener projects that sought to highlight the Genealogical records reveal that the family were members. nation’s pioneer heritage and this site Misener family emigrated from Germany It was Nicholas Misener’s son, Arthur, became West eld Heritage Village. to North America in 1720, settling who inherited the piece of property To this day, West eld hosts a series in New Jersey. Their children fought where the old Misener House once stood, of interpretive public and school alongside the British Loyalists in the and he was responsible for building a programmes. In 2016, more than 12,000 American Revolutionary War and came new large brick house on the property students visited West eld for various to Canada after the battle. It was these in the late 1800s. The Miseners lived in school programmes that showcase life sons, recent arrivals from New Jersey, the older house until the brick house in early, rural Ontario and at the time of who contributed in the founding of was built and this house is still standing Confederation. The lives of early settlers, Jerseyville, now Ancaster. on the lot on Highway 5 just outside the the structures they made and the The second generation of Miseners village of Troy. The family donated the colonial foundations this country is built in Canada saw Conrad Misener settling older house to West eld Heritage Village 14 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 14 2017-04-20 7:09:33 PM in 1962. The Jerseyville station, along cabins. These items were made with to the public due to its narrow staircase with a TH&B train, were also acquired at hand-operated equipment by craftsmen and a low weight allowance. During one the same time and they are also located who brought their trades from Europe. of the construction projects, the second at West eld. The stove, with a water reservoir in it, oor had structural bracing added to re- The one-and-a-half storey Misener was a great improvement over the open align the exterior walls. This incorporated frame house was built in 1832 of wood replaces. a diagonal wire brace and turnbuckle milled in the area; a popular style at the The Misener House has had many assembly into the housing structure. time. With the front facing south, there is a restoration projects throughout its time The house was completely re-roofed, large kitchen where most home activities at West eld. The house was in a poor plaster repaired, a concrete slab raised took place, a pantry, a sitting room (quite state of repair when it was brought to the the house, a new oor, and stairs. General the luxury), and a parents’ bedroom on village. The interior plaster was removed, stabilization of the wooden structure has the ground oor. Upstairs, reached by a showing the original shiplap. This was been upgraded, the beams were treated steep stairway at the end of the kitchen, replaced on the front and sides of the with a strengthening substance and a was an open loft where children slept building once relocated. The shiplap on new chimney system was installed that on straw mattresses. Wooden pine oors the back is original except for some re- conformed to the Building Code. were scrubbed often and enhanced by patching. The Misener House might not have hand-made mats made from scraps and In the 1980s, the building was survived if not for the eorts of West eld’s worn out clothing. found to be in very poor condition. volunteers. These dedicated and talented The house itself was utilitarian and The complete structural frame in the individuals contribute skilled assistance sturdy, built with thick supporting northwest corner had rotted from severe with maintenance, costuming, gardening, timbers. There were two windows and a water damage, causing the frame to slant historic interpretation and many other centre door at both the front and back of outwards, as seen through the cracking areas. West eld is able to provide an the house, and three windows on each of at the interior partition wall. Architect engaging, enjoyable living history the gable ends, one on the lower and two Christopher Borgal recommended experience because of their eorts, on the upper oor. The windows were restoring the building in situ as a long- including a program promoted on the six panes per sash. Small pieces of glass term, interpretive exhibit documenting website as life in small town Ontario were easier to transport, and more easily the dismantling and the reconstruction of where visitors "have an opportunity obtained. The earliest window glass had the structure. This project allowed visitors to learn about the responsibilities and many imperfections, such as bubbles, to observe the work and learn methods expectations of a child in a Confederation- waviness and o-colour, and these are of reconstructing historic buildings, era home.” visible as the original windows and doors providing a unique lesson in these remain. processes. As an interpretive vehicle, About the Author The furniture shows advancements this endeavour sparked excitement and Jamie MacLean is a graduate intern in manufacturing processes, an has been repeated with other historic supported by the Young Canada Works improvement over the hand-hewn chairs, buildings in the village. Program. He is the Education Programs benches and tables used in earlier log The second oor is not accessible Developer at West eld Heritage Village.

Misener House front exterior after restoration. Photo Melissa Fletcher, 2015

Spring 2017 ACORN 15

WORKING COPY.indd 15 2017-04-20 7:09:35 PM Homer Ransford Watson Renowned artist of Doon by Jean Haalboom On January 14, 1855, Canadian In 1880, Homer submitted his modest cottage was merely standing up! landscape artist Homer Watson was born painting The Pioneer Mill to the Royal Neighbours held their breath as to what in the house built by his grandfather Canadian Academy of Arts’ rst exhibition would and could happen to this house James Watson. Today, this house remains held in Ottawa. The painting depicted sitting in the oodplain with a basement standing in the former Village of Doon, his grandfather’s almost 100-year-old full of water and a collection of trapper’s now known as Upper Doon within the decaying sawmill. The Marquis of Lorne, furs. City of Kitchener. then Governor General of Canada, Local artist, the late Endla Loney As a youngster, Homer rambled purchased The Pioneer Mill for Queen purchased the property. She saw through the Doon landscape along Victoria’s Royal Collection at Windsor through the forces of decay: rot, dust the Grand River made up of trees, hills Castle. The following year at the Royal and water. For her, Homer’s birthplace and dales. He loved to sketch the local Canadian Arts Exhibition in Halifax, The symbolized Canada’s beginning on scenery. As Confederation approached, Last Day of the Drought was purchased for the stage of international landscape in 1866, his teacher noted Homer’s the Queen’s collection and the Marquis painting. Restoring Homer’s birthplace skill at artwork and gave him a set of of Lorne and his wife Princess Louise, was and is a signi cant key to the story of watercolour paints and a drawing book. Queen Victoria‘s daughter, bought The Homer Watson as a signi cant Canadian Life for Homer and his family was Torrent for their personal collection. landscape artist. On the advice of John not as romantic as it rst appears; it was Homer’s career path moved on. Rutledge, architect, member of the tough. His father died from typhoid fever In 1907, Watson became a founding Architectural Conservancy of Ontario when Homer was only six years old. The member and president of the Canadian and participant in its Preservation Works family sawmill and woollen mills failed Art Club. He served as president of the Programme, Mrs. Loney pushed ahead and were forced to be sold. Homer’s Royal Canadian Academy of Arts from with the formidable house restoration. older brother was killed while at work in 1918 to 1922. Fortunately, her son Michael the neighbouring brickyard. At twelve Today, Homer Watson’s birthplace Loney shared her concern for Homer‘s years of age in 1867, Homer had to quit continues to exist. His niece Jane Van birthplace. Challenges involved school to help support his mother and Every in her book With Faith, Ignorance, eliminating water attacking the house, his three siblings. However, there was a and Delight described the 1844 house reinforcing the collapsed foundation, silver lining to this cloud hanging over as the humble T-shaped cottage. In re-shingling a wooden roof, restoring Homer Watson. His aunt gave him a set 2003, the property went up for sale. This wood-framed windows, removing of oil paints. Now he could continue to Homer Watson with his family in front of Watson’s birthplace on Doon Village Road, Village of Doon, pursue his favourite pastime of sketching c. 1860 Photo Homer Watson House Foundation and painting. By 1872, Homer decided he would become a full-time artist. No formal training for him; Homer Watson is described as self-taught. In 1874, he moved to Toronto where he studied and copied artwork at the Toronto Normal School. He met with Canadian artists such as Thomas Mower-Martin and Lucius O’Brien to ask for advice about his paintings. In the 1870s, Watson travelled to New York to view the art work of the Hudson River School. While in New York State, he painted in the Adirondacks and along the Hudson and Susquehanna rivers.

16 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 16 2017-04-20 7:09:35 PM grounds became a reality. In this, our sesquicentennial year, the residents of Doon and area celebrate its renowned Canadian landscape artist Homer Watson, his birthplace and his Art Gallery.

When you have time in 2017, come and take a look for yourself!

About the Author Jean Haalboom has been a resident of Doon since 1976. Jean was a Councillor for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo between 2000 and 2014. She is a member- at-large of the ACO Executive and a member of the North Waterloo Region Branch. She studies and pursues the preservation of landmarks in Waterloo Region.

Left: Homer Watson House & Gallery, 1754 Old Mill Road, Kitchener, consists of the 1834 home of Adam Ferrie, founder of Doon, Watson’s 1893 studio and his 1906 art gallery. Photo Jean Haalboom, 1990

reddish pink paint from the brick and wood clad exterior walls, removing an alcove, and making the house liveable again. After years of work and nancing the project only with his own money, Michael Loney remains dedicated to the cause of completing the restoration of Homer Watson’s birthplace. His rewards include nding the stories about Homer’s family, 1850s newspapers, letters stuck in the walls, Homer’s paint pot stains on the bedroom oors, and information such as why wooden securing pegs need to be square and not round. For their eorts, Michael Loney and the late Mrs. Endla Loney received the 2014 Award of Excellence from the Watson House & Gallery on Old Mill Road Above: Around the perimeter of his 1893 Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. studio, Watson painted a frieze to celebrate in Kitchener. The location of Homer’s Art painters he admired and who inspired his The preservation of Homer Watson’s Gallery is about two kilometers east of work. The names of Ruisdael, Turner, Consta- birthplace oers residents and visitors to his birthplace. In the 1980s this house ble, Rousseau, Corot and Millet are spelled out and accompanied by a landscape paint- Waterloo Region a unique opportunity and gallery was also in a very dilapidated ing in the style of each artist. In the 1980s, to appreciate the home of a budding state. With the help of architect Peter conservators from the Canadian Conserva- tion Institute in Ottawa helped to restore the Canadian artist born more than 150 years John Stokes and the property purchase frieze. Photo: Courtesy of Homer Watson ago. by the City of Kitchener, restoration House Foundation To see how Homer Watson lived later and maintenance plans for Homer on as an established artist, visit Homer Watson House and Gallery and its Spring 2017 ACORN 17

WORKING COPY.indd 17 2017-04-20 7:09:38 PM Halton Hills 150 Project: Celebrating Lucy Maud Montgomery by Patricia Farley

Photo taken by Lucy Maud Montgomery, taken in 1928. Courtesy L. M. Montgomery Collection, Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Library “I love Norval as I have never loved any fans associate Lucy Maud Montgomery left the Leaskdale Manse, which is now place save Cavendish.” ~ Lucy Maud with Prince Edward Island, Montgom- a museum, for the stately manse at 402 Montgomery ery spent almost half her life living and Draper Street, in the picturesque village An exciting Canada 150 Community writing in Ontario. In 1911, she came to of Norval, just east of Georgetown. This Partnership Project between the Town the village of Leaskdale, Ontario, as the became their home until Reverend Mac- of Halton Hills and the Heritage Founda- new bride of Rev. Ewan Macdonald, and donald’s retirement in 1935. tion of Halton Hills will be going ahead passed away at her home in Toronto 31 The Manse has been owned by the in 2017. With the help of a $90,000 grant years later in 1942. parish since 1888 when it was built by from the Town, the Foundation, with One summer during her Ontario the same Norval residents who built the Kathy Gastle, ACO-Halton Hills branch years, Montgomery holidayed in Bala, adjacent Gothic Revival church 10 years secretary, on its board of directors, will which became the setting for her novel, earlier. The red brick house, with Itali- be moving forward with a plan to pur- The Blue Castle. In 1926, after her hus- anate features, is described in architect chase the Norval Presbyterian Manse band answered a call to minister to the Chris Borgal’s PreservationWorks! report and the circa1840 Caretaker’s Cottage. congregation of the Union/Norval Pres- as “a rare example of its type both in While many Anne of Green Gables byterian Parish, Montgomery’s family terms of the completeness of its original

18 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 18 2017-04-20 7:09:38 PM features and the important associative Charities Canada, ACO-Halton Hills, ACO’s Charitable donations to assist the values with Lucy Maud Montgomery. PreservationWorks! program and Norval’s Heritage Foundation of Halton Hills fund Much of the interior remains intact with Lucy Maud Montgomery Heritage Soci- the purchase of the manse can be made changes preserving the general appear- ety — that is about to change! via CanadaHelps.org. ance of the house from at least the 1920s Like many people, some from as far or before.” It has yet to be designated un- away as Japan, this writer has often ad- About the Author der the Ontario Heritage Act. mired the outside of the manse where Patricia Farley is president of ACO Halton Just recently available for sale, with its the famous novelist lived for many years. Hills, founded in 2014. [Editor’s Note: The 129-year-old history, Lucy Maud Mont- When she had the privilege of accompa- guest house where the Macdonald family gomery’s beloved Norval home, beauti- nying Chris Borgal inside the beautifully had their meals during their holiday in fully situated on the banks of the Credit preserved interiors, it literally took her Bala, Muskoka, was recently designated River, has never been open to the public. breath away. Once the building is repur- under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. With the support of many organizations posed as a Museum and Literary Centre, It is a popular attraction known as Bala’s — including the University of Guelph the same experience will be available to Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud (which houses Montgomery’s archives), Lucy Maud Montgomery fans for genera- Montgomery.] National Trust for Canada, The Princes’ tions to come.

Norval’s Presbyterian Manse, built in 1888, was Lucy Maud Montgomery’s home from 1929-1936. Photo Richard Longley, 2014

Spring 2017 ACORN 19

WORKING COPY.indd 19 2017-04-20 7:09:38 PM Eric Arthur and Barnum House The founding of Architectural Conservancy Ontario by Richard Longley

In 1923, New Zealander Eric Arthur years. This seemed to settle that but we able to conduct tours and sell odds and arrived in Canada to become an were delighted and not a little amazed to ends of handicrafts but, when tourists assistant professor of architecture at nd that when the family went shopping came in great numbers, the girls found the University of Toronto. The online in the village, the man believed to be so life intolerable as they conducted tours, Biographical Dictionary of Architects in grievously ill by all his friends, rose and answered questions about Colonel Canada 1800-1950 edited by Robert went to a little brook, where, concealed Barnum, about whom they knew G. Hill recounts that Arthur, “quickly beneath the bridge, he had a rod and a next to nothing, and, between panics, established a reputation as an engaging can of worms. We hastily photographed endeavoured to interest a customer in and provocative lecturer and public the mantel and gave piscator the signal a hooked rug or some other craft work. speaker both on and o the campus, that his better half had hove in sight. It was with relief that the Handicraft who successfully played the role of No harm was done but when I took the Guild returned to the less hazardous but architectural critic in attacking the family a copy of a magazine article in equally precarious work of supporting a conservative and retardataire nature of which the mantel was illustrated, my shop nearer home.” the local architectural scene.” reception was somewhat cool." It was with relief also, when, in 1958, Eric Arthur might have scorned Noted Arthur, “It was at that point ACO gave Barnum House to Haldimand the conservative and retardataire, but that I found the house and 98 acres Township. And to the township’s relief that did not prevent his becoming with a running stream could be bought when the rst period house museum in Ontario’s most passionate architectural for $4500. My salary at the University Ontario was transferred to its present conservationist. Starting in 1926, with had diminished with periodic cuts in custodians, the Ontario Heritage Trust, in his students, he began photographing the depression to $2900, and the $450, 1982. and drawing the province’s signicant necessary as a deposit, put quite a strain More than 80 years after Eric Arthur eighteenth and nineteenth century on the family resources. Somehow it bought Barnum House its management buildings. Alarmed at the losses and was arranged and the urgent problem remains a challenge, one it shares with deterioration he encountered, in 1932 arose, not only of reimbursing me but of many national and provincial sites in he sent a “Proposal for the Preservation nding $4500. Some good friends were Canada: How to attract the visitors that of Early Architecture and Places of enough in the initial emergency to settle will justify opening it to the public? Natural Beauty in Ontario” to members the bill and allow the Arthurs to eat. How to recruit guides and train them? of the provincial establishment. One Now that we had an unpainted house How to maintain the house? How to building on his list was Barnum House, and a ruinous barn on our hands, it was protect it and make it succeed, beyond near Grafton. obvious that something more had to be the gift shop? An option might be United Empire Loyalist Eliakim done and, at a meeting in Toronto, the collaboration between ACO Cobourg Barnum emigrated to Grafton in 1807. In Conservancy was born.” Thus, in 1933, and Ontario Heritage Trust but . . . it’s 1819, he built what the Ontario Heritage Architectural Conservancy Ontario came tricky! Meanwhile, two years short of its Trust describes as “a stylish house that is into existence. 200th birthday, Barnum House stands. one of Ontario’s nest examples of Neo- Like many purchasers of heritage As an architect, Eric Arthur’s Classical architecture.” For Eric Arthur, it properties, Eric Arthur had invested in a fondness for modernism is displayed was love at rst sight, the beginning of money pit. The founders of ACO helped at Wymilwood, the Victoria College an a air that he described in 1938 in him buy it. Now, how to maintain it? Student’s Union building and his home Early Buildings in Ontario: Observed Arthur, “Our rst essay in at 41 Weybourne Crescent. His fondness "I found that permission to look inside management was to rent the house for the past — and his adaptability — would be granted, but no photograph to the Ontario Handicraft Guild. It show in McLean House, the home he could be taken of the beautiful east failed because, by a curious reversal of designed for J. S. McLean, founder of mantel because of the owner’s high accepted economic theory, we made Canada Packers, funder of the purchase black bed, which obscured it, and the little on poor days and still less on good of Barnum House and the founding of fact that he was in it and had been for days. On poor days, our limited sta were ACO, who is remembered in the McLean 20 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 20 2017-04-20 7:09:38 PM Foundation, which continues to be a good friend of ACO. Eric Arthur designed 20 packing plants for J. S. McLean’s Canada Packers. In 1937, his Edmonton plant won him and his partner, Anthony Adamson, a Gold Medal at the Exhibition of Architecture and Allied Arts. It was an impressive structure with a modernist façade. Today all that remains is its chimney. It will be a feature of the Edmonton North East Transit garage where construction began in 2016: a medal-winning design by gh3 architects of which Arthur would surely approve. Eric Arthur is best remembered as the referee of the team of ve of the world’s greatest architects who chose the design for Toronto’s new City Hall. When one of them, Eero Saarinen, arrived a day-and-a-half late, the inevitable happened. He insisted on seeing the designs that had already been discarded and it was one of them, the design of Viljo Revell that became the winner. But Eric Arthur wasn’t done with City Hall. In 1967, as Chair of the Civic Art Committee, he cajoled for Toronto’s acquisition of Henry Moore’s bronze sculpture, The Archer. It was a bitter battle, but when it was unveiled, Arthur was able to proclaim: “Posterity will remember tonight. The philistines have retreated in disorder.” It might be Eric Arthur’s epitaph. Ontario has lost far too many heritage buildings, since Arthur began photographing, drawing and defending them, 90 years ago. Far too many have been lost since and far too many mediocre buildings have been built. But the losses – economic as well as cultural — would have been far more without Eric Arthur and his greatest achievement, the founding of Architectural Conservancy Ontario.

About the Author Richard Longley joined ACO in 2005 and was president from 2013 to 2015. As past president he remains very involved with the organization and is a frequent contributor to ACORN.

Photos: Top: Canada Packers processing plant, Edmonton AB, Eric Arthur, architect, 1936. Photo Canada Science and Technology Museum photo archive, CN Image #CN005488 Centre: Trend House, 1954, 41 Weybourne Crescent, Toronto designed by Eric Arthur for himself and his family. Photo Richard Longley Bottom: Barnum House, Grafton, built in 1819. Photo Richard Longley, 2015 Spring 2017 ACORN 21

WORKING COPY.indd 21 2017-04-20 7:09:41 PM A 150th Present for Prescott by Bonita Slunder “Through investments like this, the in itself something to celebrate. of $2.6 million and how it will bene t Government is protecting and preserving So, when it all wraps up in December Prescott. our treasured heritage places, while 2017 some may ask “where’s the beef?” Mr. Laschinger said, “I along with supporting local economies and What legacy (other than some great other stakeholders attended a strategy contributing to the growth of the tourism memories and maybe a hangover or two session at the fort in the fall of 2015 to sector. The pro-ject announced today from a year-long party) will we see in help provide input to the plan which the at Fort Wellington National Historic 2018 and beyond that says Canada 150 fort personnel described as a look ahead Site will ensure safe, high-quality visitor funded this? What else will Canada have at the next decade. I welcomed that expe-riences for years to come, and to show for the $210 million investment opportunity to explain how much Fort enable Canadians, including youth and by Canadian taxpayers? Wellington meant to the Town of Pres- newcomers, to experience and share our One small example is the good news cott, often referred to as ‘The Fort Town’ heritage.” ~ The Honourable Catherine regarding our ne Fort Wellington in in terms of showcasing our history and McKenna, Minister of Environment Prescott, Ontario. National Historic Site drawing many visitors annually to this and Climate Change and Minister re- Fort Wellington was built during the area.” sponsible for Parks Canada War of 1812 to defend the St. Lawrence Increased tourism demands updated It is hard to deny the signi cance that River shipping route from attacks by facilities. Having a new visitor centre not 2017 will have on our shared Canadian the Americans. Although it also helped only made sense, it truly was a necessity. heritage due to our sesquicentennial. thwart another American invasion But the actual fort – the historic site itself The Federal Government has pumped during the 1837-38 Upper and Lower – was also in need of tender maintenance millions of dollars into this national Canada rebellions, Fort Wellington was on top of constant groundskeeping and milestone boasting, “From coast to never actually attacked. The Town of care. coast to coast, ... spectacular events to Prescott, named after General Robert “Over the last number of years, the usher in Canada’s 150th birthday.” The Prescott, governor-in-chief of Canada appearance of the fort itself, particularly “sunny ways” media machine of the from 1796 to 1799, has ever since been from the outside, was starting to look new Trudeau government has done a honoured to carry the motto “The Fort rundown, particularly with the wooden commendable job creatively structur- Town.” For residents living in Prescott fraise [forti cation of sharpened stakes]. ing the message to reect Canadian today, the fort continues to be a proud At the session in 2015, we were informed diversity. Of course, there are cynics part of the community’s built heritage. that this type of remedial work would and skeptics who are doubtful that the In 2009, the government provided need to be done in conjunction with promised “spectacular festivities and a $2 million funding initiative for the work undertaken at other federal sites events” will amount to anything more rehabilitation of Fort Wellington’s Visitor such as Fort Henry,” said Councillor than just another taxpayer-funded party, Centre and another $1.1 million was Laschinger. and there are those still appalled by the announced in 2010 for an enhanced Remedial work will mean partial to logo controversy, but overall, it is safe to 1812-themed exhibit that includes a full replacement of the fraising and full say that most of us are looking forward to customized glass-covered display area replacement of a revetment wall. The Canada 150 with patriotic anticipation. In for a 54-foot wooden-hulled, 1812-era palisade will be fully re-fenced around a year-end interview with The Canadian British gunboat that was discovered the fort and the entrance arch will Press, Prime Minister Trudeau spoke in six feet of water near Mallorytown undergo masonry repairs and repointing. about his goals for 2017, saying he hopes Landing several years ago. During the Waterproo ng, and water-shedding to use Canada’s birthday celebrations War of 1812, Prescott was a signi cant improvements will also be made. as a time to “connect with Canadians” naval port for gunboats that patrolled Says Councillor Laschinger, “I was and how spending $210 million on this the river all the way to Kingston. personally delighted and I am sure all celebration — inviting all Canadians In January, I spoke to Tourism and residents were happy to hear of this to take part in the 150th anniversary of Heritage Councillor for Prescott, Mr. new federal initiative to renovate the Con-federation, which of course means Fraser Laschinger, to ask about the most fort installations. Of course, there will be dierent things to dierent people — is recent Canada 150-inspired funding some disruption during the time that this

22 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 22 2017-04-20 7:09:41 PM work is undertaken but I believe that the About the Author fort will continue to function and be open Bonita Slunder is a transplanted Acadian- to the public, unlike the restoration of the Metis author now happily retired in Windmill, which necessitated its closure Prescott, Ontario. Among other things, she for a season. We are looking forward to volunteers as Community Engagement working with the fort on staging the Coordinator for Friends of St. John Roof Loyalist Days event this summer where & Restoration 2021 while living right Below: Remedial work will include the frais- decisions will be taken shortly in the next door in the old Parish Hall, recently ing depicted here as well as replacement of United States about the scope of this reclaimed and renovated by Bonita and her a revetment wall, the palisade, and masonry repairs and repointing. event, involving re-enactors from both husband, Daniel. Photo Daniel Slunder, 2017 there and from Canada.” The Town of Prescott is very lucky to have centuries of history under its belt and a knowledgeable and truly committed Heritage Committee with Mr. Laschinger at the helm. His sincere enthusiasm for local heritage and history is contagious. Perhaps in the near future, Mr. Laschinger will recount more about the aforementioned Windmill — another little-known National Historic Site downstream from Prescott. This stone beauty received an urgently needed federal infusion of $375,000 in 2015 and reopened in 2016. The remarkable site became the focus of the Battle of the Windmill in November 1838 .... but that’s another story for another day.

Left: For t Wellington National Historic Site overlooks the St. Lawrence River near Prescott. Photo Daniel Slunder, 2017

Spring 2017 ACORN 23

WORKING COPY.indd 23 2017-04-20 7:09:44 PM The Gore Centennial Fountain, 1967 by Marilyn Scott

In June 1967, Robert J. Kerr, then with bronze sills. Water shoots skyward also improving the site’s accessibility,” mayor of the City of Galt, distributed a from each prism and overows into says Shane Taylor, City of Cambridge notice to the media within 100 kilometers the pool surrounding the iconic shape. Landscape Architect. of what is now the City of Cambridge, Special precaution was needed when At dusk on June 29, 1967, the o cial inviting them to the o cial presentation mixing water with the illumination, so presentation got underway. With ags of the new Centennial Fountain. electro-porcelain tiles cover the bottom ying, a crowd of local citizens and He wrote, “On Thursday, June 29th, and sides of the pool and prisms. invited dignitaries gathered for the 1967 at 9:00 p.m., the Gore Insurance Concrete benches ring the pool, ceremony. It started with the Galt Kiltie Company will o cially present their and trees and plants border the whole Band playing, and then a local school Centennial Gift to the people of Galt. This triangular island. Visitors standing choir sang O Canada, followed by gift, which is an illuminated fountain, is next to the fountain, and gazing either speeches from Gore Mutual’s Chairman being presented in an evening ceremony east or west along Main Street, will of the Board, Mr. Hugh L McCulloch and in order to take fullest advantage of the see clear evidence of the Grand River the Mayor. spectacular lighting in the fountain valley’s topography. The river is just Mrs. Dorothy Kerr, the mayor’s and surrounding square. It has been steps away and the East and West Galt spouse, had the honour of pressing the suggested that this fountain which is neighbourhoods perch high above the button, turning on the brand new lights in the form of the Centennial Symbol, downtown, making for a very satisfying and fountain to great applause. will be one of the most outstanding vista. in Canada....The Citizens of Galt are C.A. Ventin Architects, well known About the Author naturally anticipating this special for their heritage work, oversaw the Marilyn Scott is a member of ACO evening.” rst restoration of the fountain in 1992, Cambridge (formerly Heritage Dating back before Confederation, marking 25 years. It was rededicated at Cambridge), a former board member, and as early as 1835, Cambridge’s that time. Now as a Sesquicentennial and an active volunteer with numerous Queen’s Square has been a gathering project, the 50-year-old fountain is cultural organizations in Cambridge and place for the community. The Centennial due for another round of attention Fountain, now the focal point of the to ensure it lasts for years to come. Galt’s Centennial Fountain in 1967. This photo from a greeting card series was sup- square, commemorates Canada’s 100- “What we are trying to achieve is a plied by the late Mr. Michael Horner’s widow. year milestone and was a gift to the City restoration of Queen’s Square fountain Architects: Mark Musselman McIntyre, Brantford and Contractors: Asmussen Con- of Galt (pre-amalgamation in 1973) from and landscaping, being sympathetic to struction Company, Kitchener. Photo Michael the Gore Mutual Insurance Company. the original Centennial design, while Horner, Courtesy Cambridge Archives. Planning began in 1966, recorded in correspondence between Mr. Duncan McIntosh, President of Gore Mutual and Galt’s Mayor Kerr. The architectural rm of Mark Musselman McIntyre of Brantford designed the fountain, also known locally as the “Gore Fountain.” Gerald Musselman, the lead architect, is also a Cambridge resident and founding member of Heritage Cambridge. The central and distinctive feature of the fountain is its maple leaf shape based on the Centennial Symbol. Separate triangle prisms form the leaf and stem and are executed in poured concrete and 24 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 24 2017-04-20 7:09:46 PM An 1875 Home becomes Ridge House Museum

by Marlee Robinson

The year was 1875. A southwestern Ontario settlement populated primarily by immigrants from England had reached a population of 1,027, enough to qualify as a village to be named Ridgetown. Although roads were just dirt pathways, natural gas provided light and heat to many homes and the Canadian Southern Railroad continued to draw residents to the growing town. This was also the year George Mulholland purchased a plot of land near the center of town for $85 and had a $200 seven-bedroom home built for his family of 11 children plus his mother- in-law. Ridge House Museum porch won the prize for Victorian Elegance in Ridgetown’s Festive Doorways competition in 2016. Photo Marlee Robinson In 1975, the centennial of the house and the village, the Ridgetown Rotary the formal sitting room from the dining support from the local Horticultural Club purchased Mulholland’s home from room, the house boasts a collection of Society, plans are evolving for the Galbraith family who had owned it period furniture, much of it donated transformation of the gardens into more since 1919. The aim was to preserve an by local families. Some furniture was appropriate Victorian-era plantings. essential part of the district’s Victorian- created by local craftsmen including the In addition to sta-run children’s era heritage, reinforcing a strong sense dining room table, chairs and sideboard programs, there is now a monthly of local identity and engaging citizens in plus a bedroom suite carved by nearby Seniors’ Open House featuring guest a living history of their community. The Morpeth’s cabinetmaker Augustus speakers sharing expertise in nineteenth Ridge House Museum was born. Leibner. century lore and customs. In his “PreservationWorks!” Until recently the wood burning Stuart McLean of The Vinyl Cafe said, evaluation (requested after the Museum stove was used to bake cookies and “We may not be big, but we’re small” — was closed with mould and lead paint other Victorian treats. Museum sta and as Ridge House Museum says, “We issues), heritage architect John Rutledge continue to oer activities appropriate may be small but we are a big part of described the home as “one of the nest to the Post-Confederation era including Ridgetown.” preserved examples of a wood framed, ww Christmas popcorn stringing and wood sided Gothic Revival house built gingerbread decorating. About the Author during the mid-to-late 1800s in the Together with area residents, the Marlee Robinson is a founding member province of Ontario.” He applauds the current Ridge House Museum Advisory of the Chatham-Kent branch of the ACO “admirable attention to authenticity” Committee searches for ways to ful ll and now serves as president. She is taken by the members of the Ridgetown the mandate of keeping the Museum also chair of the Ridge House Museum & District Historical Society who were as the core of the community. Last year Advisory Committee. She is blessed primarily responsible for the restoration a barn quilt was installed, placing the to be the fth generation living in the of the building. Museum on a Heritage Barn Quilt trail. family farmhouse south of Morpeth and Paint and trim echo original This year the Museum has joined the Ridgetown on the shores of Lake Erie. colours and wallpaper closely matches Ontario by Bike network which oers the original layer discovered during encouragement for travelling cyclists to restoration. visit the Museum. In addition to features such as a With advice from the Backus-Page delicate, ornate “inside grille” separating House Museum in Wallacetown and Spring 2017 ACORN 25

WORKING COPY.indd 25 2017-04-20 7:09:47 PM ww

The Old Town Hall, 1867, Cookstown by Elaine Splett

The Old Town Hall is an historic From 1869 to 1872, the hall was also used hosted the Cookstown Lions Club, the building set in the village of Cookstown, by the Presbyterian Church as a meeting United Church Cemetery Board and located within the Town of Innis l about place. Friday night movies. The building is one 20 kilometers south of Barrie. The Old From 1877 to 1905, the Temperance of the last remaining theatre auditoria in Town Hall is situated downtown, on Hall was used for meetings of Patrons rural Ontario. the corner of King Street and Hamilton of Industry, veterans of the Fenian Raid, The upper level holds a theatre that Street and is a great source of pride for and the South Simcoe Women’s Institute. seats 179 people. In 1983, the Old Town many of the residents. In 1905, ownership was transferred to Hall became the new home of the South The land was granted to the Hamilton the Village of Cookstown and the name Simcoe Theatre group and the group family in 1854 when Cookstown was was changed to the “Town Hall.” celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. part of West Gwillimbury. The building The building is rectangular in shape In 2015, the rst Heritage at 1 Hamilton Street was built in 1867 with vertical board and batten siding, a Conservation District within the Town by the Lodge of Good Templars and Dutch gambrel rooine, two chimneys, of Innis l was created in Cookstown. named the Temperance Hall. The white doors, and several white-trimmed A number of historic buildings in the fraternal organization was devoted to windows. district were built in the late 1800s both sociability and ghting the evils of The hall was originally a one-storey and early 1900s and the Old Town Hall intemperance. As the municipal plaque structure. After the First World War, is well placed within this district. This states, “At that time, Cookstown had Harry Slight and Herb Jebb dug out the year marks 150 years of architectural four hotels, a liquor store, and several basement and constructed a foundation. and cultural heritage for this important grocery stores that sold hard liquor.” The This made the basement useable for buidling. members of the lodge constructed the meetings. A seating area was also meeting hall themselves. installed upstairs and the auditorium About the Author The lodge continued for about was ocially opened in 1923. In 1927, While working as an Interior Designer 40 years. From the very beginning, the Australian Medicine Company held and an Architectural Technician, Elaine the trustees were directed to rent the concerts in the Town Hall every night of Splett developed an interest in heritage meeting hall and the funds were to be the week. buildings. She joined the ACO Toronto invested in a public library in the village. From 1952 to 1983, the Town Hall Branch in 2016.

North façade, Old Town Hall, Cookstown. Photo Elaine Splett, 2017

ww

26 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 26 2017-04-20 7:09:49 PM Bois Blanc Island’s Blockhouse Bonfire, 1867 by Debra Honor The Dominion of Canada came into being at midnight on July 1, 1867. It was the beginning of a new country consisting of four former colonies joining together to make one land called Canada. There were celebrations in many areas across the Dominion that included parades, bands, reworks and bon res. In Amherstburg, Ontario, about 30 kilometers southwest of Windsor, the population also celebrated with a huge bon re on Bois Blanc Island that probably was seen on both sides of the Detroit Map of Amherstburg and Bois Blanc Island, circa 1840. Photo Debra Honor River. The old wooden north blockhouse Though the blockhouses were Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and that had been built to protect the area manned for a few years, they never saw Nova Scotia. To celebrate Canada’s from invaders in 1838 was set ablaze. any action. By the 1850s British military Confederation, the abandoned north The failed Upper and Lower Canadian forces were being centralized and forts blockhouse on the island was set ablaze Rebellions for responsible government like Fort Malden were no longer needed. as a huge bon re. took place in 1837 and 1838. American The property was divided into small Of the other two blockhouses, the sympathizers, called Patriots, thought lots for retired soldiers called “Enrolled middle one was repurposed into the they would try to free our land from Pensioners.” Four of these pensioners house of Colonel Rankin and later into British rule and launched attacks through with their families were placed at the the house of Colonel Atkinson. In the Windsor to Pelee Island where they were three blockhouses and the picket house 1940s it was part of the residence of the turned back by the local militia. Fort for habitation. The idea was to use the superintendent of Bob-Lo Amusement Malden was reinforced with troops and pensioners as a trained military force if Park. on November 3, 1838, the commanding ever needed. The south blockhouse was left intact ocer ordered that three blockhouses But the blockhouses were already in and in 1960 a plaque was erected there be built on Bois Blanc Island: one on the poor repair. An ocial report produced by the Ontario Archaeological and north end, one to the west and one on in 1854 described the condition of these Historic Sites Board, but the building the south end, as well as a picket house, buildings as “tolerable.” A report three still fell into disrepair. Over the past cookhouse and wharf facing the town of years later noted, however, that they had eight years, a group of people living on Amherstburg. seriously deteriorated: “The Reserve on the island have lovingly restored the Bois Blanc Island is partly occupied by blockhouse to its former glory for future four pensioner families who reside in residents to enjoy. three blockhouses and the Picket House Preservation of historical buildings – all in a very ruinous state.” has never been an easy task. Even on the By May of 1859, when most eve of our country becoming a nation, pensioners had paid o their loans we lost a blockhouse purposefully used for their homes, those on Bois Blanc as fuel for a celebratory bon re. Island were required to give up their ww holdings because the military reserve About the Author on the island was to be sold by the Debra Honor is a descendant of United government. These pensioners received Empire Loyalists and holds a Professional compensation and moved. Learning Certi cate in Genealogical The rebuilt south block house, Bois Blanc Island. Photo Megan Ryan, 2012 On 1 July 1867, Canada became Studies. She is a member of Windsor-Essex the Dominion of Canada including ACO. Spring 2017 ACORN 27

WORKING COPY.indd 27 2017-04-20 7:09:49 PM The National Arts Centre’s Rejuvenation by Victoria Angel and Jennifer Mallard Built between 1964 and 1969 to serve as Canada’s rst national performing arts centre, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa was one of the federal government’s centennial projects and came to be recognized as a prominent example of Brutalist architecture. It is a powerful expression of modern Canadian identity, speaking to the development of the national cultural institutions during the second half of the twentieth century. Designed by Fred Lebensold of the Montreal based rm Aeck, Desbarats, Dimakopoulos, Lebensold, Sise (later to become Arcop), the NAC was without precedent in Canada technically and also with respect to its unique combination of performance spaces. It was designated as a National Historic Site in 2005 for its cultural, aesthetic, technical and historical signi cance. Built between 1964 and 1969, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa was one of the federal Situated across from the National War government’s Centennial projects. Photo National Archives of Canada, Library and Archives Memorial, framing the east side of the Canada Department of Public Works PA 147975 approach to Parliament Hill, the National The architectural rejuvenation project to Lebensold’s notes, was derived from Arts Centre is one of the ten buildings will enhance both the historic building the shape of the site. Fascination with that form part of Confederation Square and its prominent urban setting, the equilateral triangle as a planning National Historic Site. It also forms an conserving their heritage value in organizational tool was used in other edge of the Rideau Canal World Heritage accordance with the Standards and building designs of the same era, such Site. Guidelines for the Conservation of as the Robarts Library at the University In 2014, a dramatic plan for the Historic Places in Canada. of Toronto and, in retrospect, can be rejuvenation of the NAC was announced, At the core of the conservation understood as an expression of the involving the construction of a large approach for the NAC’s rejuvenation is futuristic zeitgeist of the time. The glazed addition wrapping around the the preservation of the key features and logo of Canada’s centennial year was north side of the complex. Designed by qualities of the NAC’s dramatic interior also a stacked sequence of equilateral Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc., this and exterior. This will be achieved both triangles. This geometry is rigorously addition will establish a new entrance to through the adoption of an approach applied to all aspects of the composition the building on Elgin Street, which will of minimal intervention to the historic and detailing at the NAC. It is part of the re-orient and open up the complex to fabric and by making a clear, yet NAC’s DNA. Those who have studied the west side, addressing the city. respectful, distinction between new and the building closely, revel in its rigorous In addition, the project provides old, allowing the historic features to be logic. new public areas, event venues and understood and appreciated. Constructed of reinforced concrete performance spaces. Modi cations and clad in precast concrete panels improve circulation, universal The Original Design with exposed Laurentian aggregate, accessibility and patron comfort, The NAC’s block-like massing the building is composed as a series of including much-needed additional and plan are based on a hexagonal- public terraces, from which its three public washrooms within the complex. triangular geometry, which, according main performance venues emerge. Its 28 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 28 2017-04-20 7:09:49 PM have typically been perceived as being at the Brutalist building is heavy and odds with, and disconnected from, their opaque, the new construction is light urban contexts. The separation of car and and transparent. The introduction of pedestrian circulation within and around wood and glass infuse warmth and light these complexes often resulted in dicult and are contrasting elements to the entry sequences, as well as under-utilized original palette. Wood co ers made of outdoor public spaces. British Columbia Douglas Fir provide both the structural component of the The Architectural Rejuvenation Project new roof and the nished ceiling. Their The NAC architectural rejuvenation is a signicant visual impact to the design is “rehabilitation” project that will conserve both a reference and a departure from Opening day June 2, 1969. Photo John Evans, published by permission of the National Arts the building’s signicance through a the Lebensold design. Conceptually, the Centre careful intervention with regard to the original design aimed to create a sense of ww architecture made a conscious break original fabric and a clear, yet respectful, separation for the patron from the daily with the past and expressed a vision of distinction between new and old. The “hubbub” of the city to the tranquility of Canada as a progressive, democratic and NAC’s cultural signicance as Canada’s the NAC. The result was a building that independent nation. This forward-looking national performing arts centre and an could be perceived as impenetrable, not outlook is evident in all aspects of the important ceremonial venue will once universally inviting. Conversely, the new NAC’s design and was carried through in again be on the forefront of Canadian building opens its interior to the city, commissioned art incorporated into the artistic creation. sharing its activity and participating with design, and the performances presented The organizational and structural grid city life. at the inauguration. (Polo 2015, p. 12). of equilateral triangles informs almost Patron expectations have changed The NAC’s highly sculptural forms, every aspect of the original design, from since the building’s opening in 1969. minimal fenestration and precast the ceiling panels, to custom designed Interventions to the NAC will address the concrete convey a sense of solidity, light xtures to the modules of the changing requirements of performers impenetrability and ruggedness that can building’s beautiful terrazzo oors. New and creators, for patron comfort, be understood as an interpretation of elements are structurally supported by accessibility and technical support. These the Canadian Shield landscape. In place the original foundations, so the new interventions will also help raise public of traditional facades, the building’s construction, in fact, emerges from the awareness of the NAC’s activities and terraces read as horizontal strata from geometry laid out by Fred Lebensold. mandate, and engage new audiences. which project rocky outcrops. The e ect The triangular organizational grid is as Digital connectivity in the twenty-rst was described in 1964 by The Canadian respected in the new design as in the century has transformed the art world Architect magazine, which wrote that original. as much as it has shaped the way we the building was conceived as a series Materially, the new construction live. The new entry tower on Elgin Street of terraces, its main performance spaces is a strong foil to the original. Where hosts a multi-faceted digital screen that “protruding almost as great stones.” The NAC has undergone surprisingly few renovations since 1969 and it still possesses a very high degree of authenticity and integrity. Its exterior and interior spaces remain almost entirely unchanged since the time of construction (Goodspeed 2005, p. 21). Interestingly, the NAC is one of several Brutalist cultural complexes around the world currently undergoing a signicant renewal to address issues that have resulted, in part, from their original design. Although there is a growing appreciation for their design qualities In 2014, a dramatic plan for the rejuvenation of the NAC was announced, design by Diamond and characteristics, these complexes Schmitt Architects. The main entry. Rendering Norm Li, 2016 Spring 2017 ACORN 29

WORKING COPY.indd 29 2017-04-20 7:09:51 PM can display live feed of the performances within, or a ballet from Winnipeg or dance performance from Iqaluit. This digital capability reshapes the NAC as a truly National cultural institution. The digital screens will also host images in participation with national celebrations such as Remembrance Day and Canada Day. The rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre has been carefully planned and designed to respect, reinterpret and celebrate the original vision, while making changes to the building and its property to enhance connection to its setting, provide a more prominent, accessible entrance to the building and meet current operational requirements. Together with the establishment of the NAC’s creation fund, as well as the commitment to establish the rst National Indigenous Theatre department and the concurrent renewal of production infrastructure, the rejuvenation project will change the NAC’s role on the international stage, amongst the most exciting cultural venues worldwide The equilateral triangle is part of the NAC’s DNA. Photo Younes Bounhar, Doublespace Pho- tography, 2016 References • Goodspeed, Rona. National Arts Centre, About the Authors Jennifer Mallard is a Senior Associate at Ottawa, Ontario. Historic Sites and Victoria Angel is the Senior Heritage Diamond Schmitt Architects and is the Monuments Board of Canada Submission Planner at ERA Architects, with experience project architect for the NAC’s Architectural Report, Parks Canada, 2005 in the private, public, and academic Rejuvenation Project. Her architectural • “Opening Night at the National Arts sectors. Her recent work has included experience has focused on performing arts Centre, June 2, 1969.” CBC / Time Magazine neighbourhood and campus studies, facilities, but also includes libraries and television special with Bruno Gerussi. and institutional rehabilitation projects. educational facilities. • Polo, Marco and Colin Ripley. Architecture and National Identity: The Centennial projects 50 years on. Halifax: Dalhousie Architectural Press 2015. • The Canadian Architect, Volume 9, 1969 yearbook, pp.46-47 • The Canadian Architect, Vol. 14, Number 7, July 1969, pp 30-63 • The Canadian Architect, Vol. 14, Number 7, November 1969, pp 44-45.

The Atrium stair. Rendering Norm Li, 2016

30 ACORN Spring 2017

WORKING COPY.indd 30 2017-04-20 7:09:54 PM CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Remembrance - ACORN Fall 2017

Across Ontario, cemeteries, monuments, markers and installations provide a link to regular individuals as well as famous people from our past. Communities have also commemorated military and civilian sacri ce with memorial sites. These places of remembrance are an irreplaceable part of our province’s cultural heritage. The design and inscriptions on monuments teach us about history, cultural geography, tragedy, selessness, genealogy, and much more. The fall 2017 ACORN will focus on built heritage and cultural landscapes of commemoration:

• Monuments, structures or cultural landscapes reecting sacri ce and re- Spring membrance Issue 2017 • Cenotaphs

• Memorials and commemorative sites

• Signi cant buildings or structures dedicated to the memory of Ontarians

• Cultural heritage landscapes such as cemeteries or memorial gardens

• Special restoration or conservation projects that preserved community memory

Articles should be either 500 or 1000 words in length accompanied by high-quality photographic images. All submissions should reect ACO’s mission to “encourage the conservation and reuse of structures, districts and landscapes of architectural, historic and cultural signi cance to inspire and bene t Ontarians.”

Before commencing work on an article, please send your proposal or questions to [email protected] to avoid duplication and ensure photo guidelines are received. Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2017. Past issues are available on the Resources page at www.arconserv.ca.

Spring 2017 ACORN 31

WORKING COPY.indd 31 2017-04-20 7:09:54 PM

WORKING COPY.indd 32 2017-04-20 7:09:54 PM