Established in x967 HERITAGE L~J `Volume 21, No . x, Celebrating our 27th year Spring 1994 D 'Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage

Friends of Garden: Hands On

by Jean Palmer

Heritage designation has just been occupants of the house, selling it "in The Friends of Maplelawn are orga- given to Maplelawn, a house at 1952 to the NCC (National Capital nizing for summer and welcome new 529 , and to its walled Commission), by which time it had members. It's one of those reward- garden, perhaps the only remaining been renamed Maplelawn. ing "hands-on" contributions . While garden in to retain its walls, its we can't actually reset a brick in The terms of the sale allowed the plan and, some of its original plantings. heritage house, we can personally Rochesters to stay on in the house ensure the survival of this historic Anyone looking over the wall last for as long as they wanted, and the walled garden by weeding and summer could have observed a zeal- - last Rochester, Frances, moved out cultivating. ous, but careful, battalion of grubby in 1989. Call Ann Falkner 722-3226 or Nancy gardeners clearing the paths, weeding The rectangular garden had been the flower beds and trimming the Smith 728-5451 to join the Friends of re-designed in 1940 by Warren Maplelawn. shrubbery. These were crews from Oliver, senior'horticulturalist at the the newly-formed Friends of Central Experimental Farm, and Maplelawn Garden, a volunteer though wartime restrictions prevent- group, led by Ann Falkner and Nancy ed his entire plan from being carried Smith, who are bringing back the glory out, the basic geometry of a cross days of this wonderful formal garden. with a central circular pond and HERITAGEFo" RI ME The stone house, Maplelawn ; was radiating paths was established. LK OTTAWA RN built around 1831 and the walled In 1989 the NCC commissioned an garden kept out the farm livestock : "as found" survey under noted cattle, `sheep and horses. The Canadian landscape architect John INSIDE Gazette of 1841 referred to Stewart, whom some of you will Friends of Maplelawn ...... 1 the substantial stone fences dividing have heard in Heritage Ottawa's President's .Message ...... '2. . Heritage Ottawa Essay Prize ...... 2 the fields and to "a handsome 1993 lecture series . The survey RogersVideo .'...... 2 . garden surrounded by a stone and discovered that much of the 1940's .Garden of the Provinces' .. . . .3 lime The garden was probably Oliver plantings had survived more wall." Recent Heritage...... 3, more practical than ornamental or less in the original place, and Heritage Updates ...... 4 at that period and would have pro- it was decided that the garden NCC properties ...... 5 duced mostly vegetables and fruit. should be restored to the 1940 plan. Heritage Day 94 ...... 5 Bridges as Historic Monuments ...... & In 1878 the property was sold by and neglect followed for'anoth- Delay Beaver Barracks ...... 8 ' William Thomson, the original owner, er few years, but with the Friends on McCord Apartments ...... 8' to Thomas Cole, who named the site last summer, the old perennials, Wallis House ...... 9 property the Highland Park Dairy freed'of their choking weeds began Public Forum...... 9 Farm and lived there until his death to come into bloom . There were Oueal Terrace ...... 10 in 1904 . One of his nine children remarkable surprises as the summer Board Directors ...... 11 of ...... married a Rochester, and their son wore on and yet another'gorgeous Algonquin College ...... I'll ...... 12 Lloyd and his wife were the last clump revealed its colour. President's Message Heritage Ottawa Essay Prize by Louise Coates by Jean Palmer This year has already held a num- Last year saw the destruction Coates presented the winning ber of challenges and rewards for of Connaught School, a solid build- awards at the end-of-the-yearschool members as we see our efforts at ing with a handsome sandstone assembly on June 10th. preservation find success . Our real have been, entrance that should Four judges read essay entries: success stories are the saving of renovated and preserved. Senior Heritage Wallis House and the Aberdeen Stuart Lazear, Planner with the , and Pavilion! Thanks to our members for At the same time, Lisgar Collegiate Heritage Ottawa Board members their support. was celebrating its 150th birthday. That school too was threatened Louise Coates, Jean Palmer and AGM with demolition in 1973 when the Rhys Phillips. zealous heads of the Ottawa Board After two lengthy sessions they In January, we held our 1993 annual of Education found it too small, too came up with first prize winner, general meeting in the beautiful dark, and too old-fashioned . Michael Ang, who won $150 for his Banking Room on . An articulate student body and an essay, Cartier Square Drill Hall. Citizen reporter Chris Cobb fielded aggressive parents' organization went to questions from our membership defended the tradition and historic Second prize, a book, on heritage reporting: Why do framework of the institution and Megan Reekie for her essay, Baynes reporters care so much more,about creative minds found ways to extend House. heritage what government versus space while preserving the heritage Jennifer Scrimger's essay called to say? Why are proponents have building. -195 Elgin - Not Your Normal School", with the value of stories dealing earned her third prize. heritage superficial at best? To celebrate Lisgar's preservation and birthday, Heritage Ottawa Congratulations to the winners and the Richard Cannings dubbed offered prize of $150 to the Lisgar thanks to Dr. Janet Morchain of article on 171 Bolton Street a Citizen's student who wrote the best Lisgar Collegiate who assigned the a -it said the house would cost 2000-word essay on an aspect of essay as an option in her Social and was sitting on fortune to restore Ottawa's built heritage . Louise History class. valuable land- a 'how-to' for demo- lition . Another article dealt with Heritage Ottawa's heritage buildings that are 'firetraps', but neglected to explain that the fire Film Wins Award marshall often condemns a building A Heritage Ottawa short film, that on the prompting of a frustrated aired on Rogers Cable in December heritage owner. of 1993, won second prize in the at the Cobb said the media was an excel- magazine category Television Producers' lent tool for Heritage Ottawa and Community that garnering exposure, from Awards, in March of this year. extreme public antics to informative The video, which depicts heritage meetings, was worth the effort. victories in the city, was chosen over more than 190 other entries. The Heritage Day video was co-written by Louise February 21St was Heritage Day in Coates, Mary Lou'Doyle and Jean the province and Heritage Ottawa Palmer, and creatively produced by set up a booth, complete with our Rogers' Allan Jones . The video publications and photos of old features Louise and Julian Smith, The Tin House Court, located between Murray former stable and Ottawa (the photo of pigs wandering the heritage consultant for the and Clarence Streets, is a Byward freely on in 1860 is project, discussing the history and service yard and a restful oasis in the It is graced with the fagade of always a favourite), at this year's actual restoration of the Aberdeen Market . which was covered ,. Heritage Day location, Pavilion . The programme also Honoire Foisy's house, galvanized tin . Community Centre . are always features Heritage Ottawa's work with hand-shaped pieces of You house was demolished in 1962, . but its welcome to volunteer at our public preserving the historic Byward The hangs in the Court forall to enjoy. information booths. Market. fagade

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Garden of the Provinces: Hands Off! byJean Palmer While we celebrate the heritage considered as a possible building gance. At the opening ceremony in designation of Maplelawrr Garden, site. It is important to preserve what 1962, Prime Minister Diefenbaker there is disturbing news about an remains of the historic view of expressed his pleasure, "since gar- other historic garden. Preliminary Parliament Hill . Though much is dens are the essence of peace, plans have been drawn up for blocked by mega development, it is tranquillity and harmony" and a building on the site which is now still possible to see from the Western added, "This garden is a symbol of the Garden of the Provinces at Parkway the neo-Gothic spires of the Canada, marking the nation's unity Wellington and Bay Streets. Parliament Buildings and of Christ of purpose and ensuring the Church Cathedral . They complement provinces of their rightful place in current extension and reno- With,the each other architecturally and have the constitution." Thirty years on, the vation of the national Archives near- long historical associations . The unity shows signs of stress, but ing completion, still more space is Garden of the Provinces allows and removing the provincial and territori- growing needed to house Canada's enhances that association, while a al flags flying over the commemora- archival collection and this nearby new building would obstruct and tive garden, dismantling the floral site is being considered. destroy the view. emblems and destroying the sym- Heritage Ottawa has written to David bolic site are not the way for a gov- Dingwall, Minister of Public Works Cityscapes are important, but on its ernment to restore faith, nor to pre- and Government Services, to object own the Garden of the Provinces serve or enhance the historical view to the Garden of the Provinces being has historic and symbolic signifi- of Parliament Hill . Ottawa's Waller Street Police Station-Recent Heritage? byJean Palmer The threat to the Garden of the The Police Building at 60 Waller George Brown (Riverside), Provinces brings up a larger issue . Street was one of Dickenson's early Jill Brown (Britannia), Should LACAC (Local Architectural efforts . The other Dickenson work Peter Harris (Dalhousie), Hume (Alta Vista), Conservation Advisory Committee), in Ottawa is the Sandringham Peter Jack MacKinnon (Canterbury), be giving heritage designation' Apartments on Range Road. to modern buildings and sites, or is ' Mark Maloney (-Westbor0), Joan aNeill (Billings), that protection to be given only to Despite proposals for re-use, Ottawa Joan Wong (Elmdale), Old Ottawa? City Council voted for demolition of the Police Building in March of this Jim Watson (Capital). In May, the wrecker's ball flattened week, Charlotte- year. In the same Accolades to those councillors with Peter Dickenson's 1952 prize- town P.E.I . announced the establish- winning police station on Waller some vision . The'following voted ment of anew Arts Centre in-a to save 60 Waller: Street, a sound steel-and-glass 1950s steel-and-glass structure that the spirit of Richard Cannings(By-Rideau), - building that caught was formerlya Royal Bank. There (Richmond), 's dynamic the will be artists' studios, space for Dime Holmes .(Wellington), Ottawa of the fifties. area performing arts, an .exhibition Mayor , studio At the time of completion Whitton and a sound-proof recording Tim Kehoe (Carleton),. imagi- applauded the building's "vivid in the former bank vault. Jacques Legendre (Overbrook-Forbes), , nation, precision of execution, and made a gift of the Nancy Mitchell (St. George's).. . sense of vitality."' The Royal Bank building to Charlottetown for an Arts' Not all those councillors who voted Dickenson worked for Toronto's vision Centre. 's to save 60 Waller have a clean track Page and Steele as chief designer the wreck- could go no further than record on' heritage issues . For exam- for eleven years, then on his own for er's ball. What a waste! ple, Kehoe, Holzman and Cullen three years, during which time he voted in favour of demolish- turned Canadian architecture around. For those interested in electing coun- recently apartments on When he died from cancer in 1961, cillors that are more heritage sensi ing the McCord at the age of 36, modern architecture tive, please note that the following Somerset Street. A letter or call from was the order of the day. voted to demolish this building: a constituent can make a difference!

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Heritage Updates; Wallis & Aberdeen Success Stories by Louise Coates By February 1, 1994, bids had been Heritage Ottawa had been trying to building is planned. Please call your submitted to the department of preserve the , City councillor to prevent any further Public Works to restore Wallis along with its neighbour the plans for'demolition. House, the 121 year-old former Horticulture Building, since the build- The Guigues Screet School, built hospital at the corner of Rideau and ings were closed to the public in and run by Fran s since Charlotte Streets . After a month's October, 1987. In the spring of 1991, entury, hIa the turn of the century, h been deliberation, Minister David Dingwall's the Aberdeen's demolition was bought from the French Language ' office refused an offer that would approved by Ottawa City Council. School Board! A French seniors have converted the building into group, Le Centre du Jour, will begin market-value apartments, with town- Architectural historian and Heritage Graham, renovations to the school soon. houses to the north, and non-profit Ottawa member, Fern warned that City council "didn't know housing to the east. Due to the efforts of Heritageeritage what kind of fight it would face", Ottawa,, Senior Heritage Planner The government decided to re-tender it proceeded with the demolition . Stuart t_azear and Councillor Richard development proposals until'April 18, Cannings, demolition of the small 1994, after which it said it would In February 1992, our members Lowertown house at 171-173 Bolton demolish if no one offered the organized a large and successful Street seems unlikely after all. $750;000 asking price. Three bids rally inside the Horticulture Building According to an agreement Canada were submitted, with one offering to generate support for the two has with foreign embassies, it is $500,000. Would the federal govern- buildings . That spring, Board contrary>to.protocol to demolish any menu compromise and give up Member, Gerard Robard gave site Canadian buildings with heritage $250,000 to save a building erected lectures and tours . In June, after value . We appreciate the Korean' six years after Canada's confedera- board member Jean Palmer took the Embassy's decision to honour that tion? After weeks of lobbying by message to local schools, two Glebe reement. Heritage Ottawa and several city Collegiate students made a plea, ag councillors, the federal government complete with a petition, to City Eric Cohen, one of Ottawa's her- delighted us all: it accepted Sandy councillors to save the site for future itage restorers and dealers in her- Smallwood, of Andrex Holding's ; generations . Finally that fall, newly itage fixtures and ornaments, is leav- offer .to restore the building and elected Ottawa City Councillors, Jim ing town. Heritage Ottawa said Wallis has been saved! Watson and Peter Hume, came up goodbye to Eric and Judith Cohen at with a simple plan for restoration that June. Mr. The building of Wallis symbolized the a small reception held in was approved by Council. plaque new faith in public medicine that was Cohen was presented with a thanking him for his restoration work emerging as Canada matured in the Heritage architect Julian Smith was in Ottawa. The Cohen family is mov date 1800s . After British nurse hired to complete the restoraton and to Vancouver and Heritage Florence Nightingale introduced work began in the summer of 1993. Ottawa wishes them well in their improvements to health care, public on June 27th of this year, the official future endeavours. hospitals began to emerge in Canada, re-opening of the Aberdeen,restored built by churches and other charitable to its 19th century glory, took place- Pooley's -Bridge, on the edge of groups and later; by the province as it at a cost much lower than planned! , is a relic of'the assumed responsibility for the sick Bytown days when the Chaudiere The Aberdeen's restoration is a real (the CivicHospital opened in 1923). and LeBreton Flats thrived with heritage success story! Drive by the industry. The small stone bridge will Wallis House, a federally designated 1890s Crystal Palace of Ottawa and , stabilized and then it must vie for ' heritage building and an extremely see for yourself! be rare landmark in our collective histo- scarce restoration dollars. At barren ry, would have been an enormous The has applied LeBreton's Flats, Pooley's- Bridge loss to this city! We are absolutely to the City of Ottawa to demolish the and the Fleet-Street Pumping delighted that the hospital, built in two large brick houses at 74 and 78 Station are scarce remindersof 1873, will be with us intothe future! Laurier Avenue East: A new campus days gone by.

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National Capital Commission's Properties Around Town The NCC is a major owner of historic .> Good news-The NCC is currently - 0 Good news-Guadalaharry's neigh- properties in the Ottawa region. in negotiations with a potential user bour closer to Sussex, 465 York According to Franoois LeBlanc, chief for Rochester House, a stone Street, is being rehabilitated with architect at the NCC, the agency house located on Richmond Road . retail stores downstairs and owns about 1500 buildings . The The building will be restored and apartments upstairs . Federal Heritage Building Review used as a restaurant, if the deal Office (FHBRO), is currently assess- goes through . If the deal doesn't Bad news-The four brick hous- ing all NCC-owned buildings over 40 work out, the NCC plans to repair es oil the island, surrounded by years old (as they are required to do the deteriorating sections of the Nicholas, Laurier East and Waller by federal legislation), to determine building before they try to find Streets, are boarded up and falling whether or not they merit heritage another user. apart (does this sound like a famil- recognition . So far between 50 and iar tactic?) . The two houses on 60 of these buildings have been "o Bad news but may get better-The Waller are comfortable and attrac- classified or recognized as having York Street property, that was most tive dwellings in a turn-of-the-cen- historic significance. recently Guadalaharry's, has been tury style. Frangois LeBlanc says The NCC still owns the buildings vacant for several years and no ten- that the houses may be moved along , which it has ant has been found. But, M. LeBlanc closer together to make the land maintained but has not fully rented. says that the NCC has had numer- more attractive to buyers. Rented buildings are always better ous proposals, so there is a possibili- Ultimately the NCC plans to sell cared for. We encourage the NCC to ty that the property won't be vacant them. M. LeBlanc says there are find tenants as soon as possible. for too much longer. no plans to demolish.

The City of Ottawa announced the ADAPTIVE USE AWARDS. Award of Excellence recipients of the' 13th annual These awards are for the modifica- """ The Somerset West Community Architectural Conservation Awards, tion of a heritage resource to Health Centre recognizing excellence in the preser- contemporary functional standards Griffiths Rankin Cook, Architects vation of Ottawa's heritage charac- while retaining its heritage charac- ter, in a ceremony held at City Hall in ter, with possible adaptation for Certificates of Merit February of this year. Awards were new uses: 0 420 Lyon Street North presented in thefollowing categories: Douglas Hardie, Architect Award of Excellence RESTORATION AWARDS The Fleck-Paterson House ". 87 Mackay Street These awards are for returning a Architects Circle John Arnold, Designer heritage resource to its original form, material and integrity: Certificates of Merit would like to receive further Award of Excellence 0 The Royal College of Physicians If you information regarding Heritage Day .*.The Bridge and Surgeons of Canada Awards, please contact: Barry Pactolsky Architect Murray & Murray Associates

Certificates of Merit INFILL AWARDS Sally Coutts, a 164 Guigues for restoration by These awards are for an addition City of Ottawa Gerhard Linse, Designer to a heritage building or all new Heritage Section, +.185-187 Sparks Street construction within an historic Department of Planning and Development Leaning and Associates Architects context: Tel: 564-3036 Fax: 564-8077

Heritage Ottawa 5 Bridges As Historic Monuments by PaulStumes Sites where people, livestock and succumbed to the cruel winters of sensitivity toward heritage . merchandise traverse bodies of Saskatchewan . Certain "experts" Mr. D .L . Harrison, P.Eng, the water have had great significance recommended the complete alter- manager of the Structural' Division from prehistoric times to the present. ation of the bridge. Had their advice of Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd ., In fact, most nations' capital cities been followed, Regina's unique found ways to reinforce the structure; have developed, over time, from heritage, and one of Canada's most and at the same time, restore the ancient fords or ferry stations. impressive artistic structures, would, bridge's artistic components to their have been destroyed. original splendour. The writer of this When the technology permitted the article had the privilege of participat- construction of permanent bridges, To prevent this, a citizens' committee ing in this project as a conservation they were built not just as simple was formed under the title `The Albert consultant. structures but as signs of civic pride Memorial Bridge Vigilantes." Thanks as well . Elaborately ornamented to the Vigilantes powerful lob- The preservation of historic bridges bridges span rivers all over bying, City council gave is an important issue in Ottawa too. the world . Certain the job to an engi- The City straddles three bodies of bridges became neering firm water: The Ottawa and Rideau unique sym- with great Rivers and the Rideau" Canal . bols of There are a number of important cities, for bridges here which have significant example, heritage status. the Golden Our City has some achievements Gate Bridge in in the restoration of heritage San Francisco, bridges. The recent restoration the Brooklyn Bridge of the Bank Street Bridge is in New York and the a prominent example . Tower Bridge in London. Under the direction of Here in Canada, we also have Mr. V. Sahni, P.Eng., bridges which are more than river the bridge was not crossings . One of them is the Lions only reinforced, Gate Bridge in Vancouver . The but also Albert Memorial Bridge in Regina restored also deserves special mention. to meet the most The latter bridge was built in 1930 as When demanding artistic the City's most important thorough- standards. It is not fare. The structure itself is extremely the technology surprising that the project simple because the local conditions received the Award of do not require arches or other Excellence in Restoration, from the elements which provide the basis for permitted the on- city of Ottawa. decoration on most other bridges. However, because this bridge is a Nevertheless, the Membership memorial for those who fought in the struct on ofpermanent of Heritage Ottawa must be vigilant First World War, an ingenious way because two of our most important was found to provide appropriate bridges, they were built bridges require overhaul in the ornamentation. The railings along near future. hundreds the sides are composed of One is the which and colour- not just as simple of exquisitely decorated connects Ottawa's to ful terracotta balusters, ornate light Vanier's across the posts and commemorative plaques. structures but as signs . The Cummings Bridge After more than 50 years of faithful is an early example of reinforced service, the bridge recently ofcivic pride as well. concrete arch bridges and, with its

Heritage Ottawa The Laurier Avenue Bridge, which crosses the at the National Defence Headquarters Building, is also waiting for renova- tion. The centre section of this bridge is supported by a green, painted steel arch. This structure is probably familiar to everyone in Ottawa. The arch provides the frame for the pic- turesque view of the Rideau Canal in winterwith the skating crowd in the background. Posters and postcards printed with this scene are distrib- uted around the world. The scene has become an international symbol of Ottawa. At Heritage Ottawa's insistence, the designers who will renovate the Laurier Bridge have engaged an architect to ensure that the work will be carried out with due consideration to historic and artistic concepts. Prior Bridge crossing the Rideau Canal. Notice the railroad tracks that once brought its passengers to construction, the drawing will be into the heart of the City, shown to experts on the board of graceful lines, it provides a magnifi- Traffic safety could be improved Heritage Ottawa and LACAC for cent view for the multitudes who by widening the approaches at both approval. stroll along the treed shores of the ends of Cummings Bridge . This As the preparation of plans for the Rideau River. solution would not affect the bridge progresses Members of historic ambience and would also The bridge has been placed on the Heritage Ottawa will save money. be kept up-to- protective list of Heritage Structures date on developments. in Ontario because of its aesthetic We urge the Members of Heritage significance and because it embod- Ottawa to telephone or write to the Friends of the Rideau ies important examples of technical BMOC expressing the necessity of The Friends of the Rideau are trying advances in Canada. Regrettably, protecting this heritage bridge. The to have the Rideau Canal declared a the protection is more symbolic that address to contact is: actual. The Regional Municipality of UNESCO World Heritage Site. They will be sponsoring an International Ottawa-Carleton (BMOC) plans to V. Sahni, P.Eng. widen the road surface in a manner Symposium on Heritage Canals. Manager, StructuralBranch The tentative date for this event is which may be detrimental to the her- (Transportation) itage features of Cummings Bridge. September 16th - 19th of this year. Regional Municipality ofOttawa-Carleton This event is in the process of being In any case, we feel that the widen- 111 Lisgar Street organized. If you would like addition- ing of the road surface would not Ottawa, Ontario al information, please call 283-5810. solve the traffic problems. The num- K2P 21-7 ber of lanes on the bridge won't Tel : 560-2064 increase, which means no increase to the volume of traffic that can cross Send a copy of your letter to : the river. Furthermore, during peak hours both Rideau Street and Councillor Nancy Mitchell Montreal Road are loaded to capaci- City of Ottawa ty and can not discharge more cars 111 Sussex Drive on to the bridge . The weathered Ottawa, Ontario arches may be repaired without K1 N 5A1 diminishing their historic character. Fax: 564-8412 Tel: 564-1329

Heritage Ottawa The Loss of the Beaver Barracks: The Destruction of Ottawa's Military Architectural History by John Kowalski The wrecker's ball has taken its toll vacant lots on Catherine Street and In July 1992, the fire marshall declared on one of Ottawa's last remaining two vacant lots on Metcalfe Street. the building a firetrap and demanded World War II structures and we In January 1943 they purchased that DND either fix it or demolish it. mourn the loss of our wartime history. a double lot and a house at 152 While National Defence is not bound The Beaver Barracks 50-year history Argyle. This site was named the by the orders of a municipal official, it will end with the sale of the land. Patricia Alice Barracks. The Patricia chose to complywith the order. Alice Barracks were then torn down The Beaver Barracks were one of to'make way for the construction of It is regrettable that DND has not approximately temporary build- 20 the Beaver Barracks. made a greater effort to preserve its ings constructed during World War II . historic buildings. The Canadian War All of them have been torn down, The barracks were built during 1943 Museum has preserved many artifacts save for the Justice Annex behind and 1944 and housed the Women's from Canada's wars while the DND the Department of Justice on Division until their disbandment. The History Directorate preserved Wellington Street, and another on has Barracks were then turned over to wartime documents . The recent loss that houses a male members of the Royal of Bareiile House at the Rockcliffe Air reserve unit. Canadian Air Force . Military staff Base and the battle for Wallis }louse The original site was bounded by occupied the building until 1980, are examples of the neglect paid to Catherine, Metcalfe, Argyle and when they were moved out. In 1990 the built aspect of Canadian military O'Connor Streets. On December 31, the building was declared surplus. history. Hopefully, more will be done 1942 the Department of National Since then homeless people have in the future to preserve the military's Defence (DND), purchased three, sometimes used it as a shelter. architectural history. McCord Apartments: Application for Demolition Approved by Louise Coates The McCord is an unobtrusive, the building's demolition. With City attached. Hartman cannot demolish brown brick building located next to elections right around the corner it's until his proposed building at the Somerset Theatre and, behind a good idea to take note of those 388 MacLaren Street is complete. the Independent Grocer on Bank councillors who voted for demolition Tenants who currently reside in the Street. This charming building, built of the McCord : Councillors Mark McCord building will have first in the 1920's, is an integral part of Maloney (Carlington-Westboro), Jill chance at space in the new building. the Somerset streetscape, providing Brown (Britannia), Tim Kehoe The question is whether these new 22 spacious bachelor and one-bed- (Carleton), Joan Wong (Elmdale), regulations will help prevent the room apartments. It is on the brink of Peter Hume (Alta Vista), Jack demolition of this and other older oblivion. MacKinnon (Canterbury), George buildings. Brown (Riverside), Jim Watson Larry Hartman, who owns both the This story is typical of the treatment (Capital), Peter Harris (Dalhousie), McCord apartments and the heritage buildings often receive. Alex Cullen (Richmond) and Mayor wants to demol- When the building was ought a Independent Grocer, Jacquelin Holzman all voted to ish the building to provide more park- few years ago, it was already in demolish the building. ing for his grocery store. Right now, rough shape. Rather than renovate the McCord provides affordable, Applause to those few councillors and maintain it, it was allowed to quaint apartments, most of which who recognized the value of further deteriorate. The simple solu- have skylights, hardwood floors and Ottawa's built heritage and voted to tion to heritage stories such as this old-fashioned tiles on the bathroom save the McCord - one is that owners should be floors. A parking lot will not only be (Wellington), Richard Cannings encouraged to maintain their build- ugly it will leave a gaping hole in the (By-Rideau), Jacques Legendre ings so that. demolition does not Somerset streetscape as well. (Overbrook-Forbes) and Nancy become the most attractive and Mitchell (St. George's). profitable solution. Nevertheless, on December 1, 1993 Ottawa City Council voted to allow The demolition has a few strings We invite your comments.

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Public Forum Wallis House Deserves Better The individual's voice is the most by RichardCannings powerful tool of influence the her- o This article was written before the Ottawa has seen in the last five itage community has to inform and Department of Public Works years. The development of the Wallis motivate the officials who hold our approved the restoration of public buildings in trust. House site would have been an Wallis House. explosive catalyst to revitalizing the The following is a letter from a depressed area along Rideau Street. Heritage Ottawa member to the It is a sad twist of fate that a building Council Honourable David Dingwall, Minister could serve the public for so long and' In a rare stroke, City approved of this concept unani- of Public Works. It demonstrates then be abandoned and allowed to that writing a letter registers your deteriorate. In its mously. The idea looked like a page concern for the built heritage ofyour heyday, the solid pulled right out communityand provides avenue for of the liberal Queen Anne style' suggestions . These are your tax red brick land- Party's 'Red dollars-get involved! Book". Wallis mark building built House seemed in 1872, served destined4o serve as a hospital and RE: WALLIS HOUSE its community armoury . Wallis once again. DearSir, House was truly a This is to request.your personal interven- pillar for a grow-' The Department tion in ensuring that a national landmark ing country and of Public Works, such the Wallis House is not destroyed as community. ` though, decided by lack of vision . . to hold out for I do hot have to This building can be restored to its origi- more money and nal grandeur at a reasonable cost by a tell you that the re-tender the company which has in the past done struggle to save site . If I could many excellentlobs on old buildings, and Wallis House compare the in doing so can provide tradespeople in has been one the Ottawa area with work. The restora- process to the hurdle after the _ Olympics, it tion would, in addition, provide an anchor other. I have to for the revitalization of Rideau Streets o would be like congratulate all which has become increasingly tatty over asking the ath- those who Heritage Ottawa President, Louise Coates, help- the past few years. ff a true cost benefit 'ngtoalert themediaxo the plight of Wallis House. letes to run a.. demonstrated in analysis is carried out, l am confident that at the demonstration held on Heritage Day, race a second February2f. the indirect benefits would far outweigh the rain or had a time because the efforts to prevent demolition. the cost to your.department in lowering hand in judges knew someone who might, the price. Unfortunately, I 'can report to you beatthe winners. l have to say that Canada is a young country. Let's protect that the fight is far from over. the federal government is not acting our heritage wherethere a - chance for it is As many of you know, a group of pri- as good corporate neighbour.' It to be a functioningpart of our modern life vate developers approached the City seems they would rather play "big and at the same time. maintain the at with a plan to restore Wallis House . city developer'' with our tax dollars streetscapesof Canada's Capital. The proposal called for the construc- the expense of the best interest of tion of 47 apartments in Wallis our community. House ; . 19 townhouses and an President's Note: Heritage Ottawa is 8-storey non-profit complex made up delighted that the'work of Sandy of 60 units. Aside from providing Smallwoood, Richard Cannings and much needed housing in the area, other heritage activists succeeded in We would like to hear from you, our the project would have injected some saving Wallis;House. It will once membership. Write to us in regard to $11 million in the local economy and again take its place as an useful heritage issues that are important to' created 150 jobs. It would have been building on an improving Rideau your the largest development project ' streetscape.

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Fixing Up Queale Terrace : The Owner's Guide to Restoration byJoyce Henry It had potential . It was a heritage enough money to fix up the property. and company wanted to restore the building that had once been beauti- Equity was key. Finally a legal loop- original windows but they did not ful . It could be again with a little hole was found that allowed the want to pay for all that lost heat. The money and a lot of time and effort. property to be severed. This meant only altemative seemed to be modem What was needed was someone that all the sewer and waterworks thermal pane windows. willing'to take on the task. also had to be severed and replaced But, a compromise was reached . by separate connections for each Luckily for the handsome heritage unit . By mid-1992 all the legal Instead of big weights in the walls a building known Terrace, put as Queale mumbo-jumbo was out of the way modern track system was in with located at 304 - 312 Queen Elizabeth springs instead of weights. The con- and the real fun could begin. Driveway, it had just such a tenant. tractor took out the old glass, redid Greg Weston, an Ottawa journalist, The City pitched in with a $10,000 , the sash and frames and, when pos- had lived in the building since 1982. grant for each unit and a lot of help- sible, put the old glass back in. He'd always intended to eventually ful advice . Weston says that buythe building and fix it up. But, his although he'd heard some terrible The renovation also entailed restor- various offers were rejected. things.aboutheritage bureaucrats at ing all the handcrafted tin balusters, turrets roof. At first, City Hall, everyone was wonderful. posts and on the The building had fallen into disrepair After restoration started, City officials Weston said he did not even know over the years By 1991 the facade were even dropping by on the week- they were tin. He had assumed that porches and balconies were rotting, end to see how it was going. they were wood until someone point- the building had become dangerous ed out that they were dented. and' the owner was thinking of tear- The Restoration ing it down . Local heritage activists Weston says he put a lot of work into " I said, 'What; what do you mean warned that they would not let the finding good contractors. He recom- they're dented. You can't dent wood'." building go without a fight. The mends shopping around. He says Weston says the whole restoration owner, not wanting to covet the cost they managed to secure top quality ` cost only a little over $100,000 . of a restoration, decided to sell. craftsmanship at bargain prices . That's only $20,000 a unit and it Weston, and the four other'tenants "I am every contractor's nightmare,"- included the exterior restoration, the - who lived in the building, put inan offer. Westonsays. columns, the upper and lower porch- es, the brickwork, the painting and "in a moment of madness I went He went to ten contractors that were the windows. ahead and arranged to buy the known for heritage work and had place," Weston recalls . them prepare specific estimates,, Weston says that some people get complete with quotes on how much it frightened away by the heritage Getting Started would all cost . Then he broke the aspect. But, he says, nothing was Weston says he didn't know any- plans down taking a bit of the best done :on the house that wouldn't thing about restoring a building when from each contractor's estimate, have been done anyway and pre- he started the process. He says that repackaged it as a detailed set of serving everything was cheaper than he talked to a lot of people and specifications. replacing it. asked for recommendations . was ready to restore or at least Weston says that people are always Weston says that the biggest obsta- He hire someone to do it for him. The stopping by or putting notes in his cle to restoration was severing the restoration on the building was no' mailbox expressing how happy they- units of the house. Normally, sever- small job. The columns the house are that the house has been fixed up. ance not granted on row houses. in is were taken out .and the rotten parts This law actually designed to pre- `This just proves that you don't have is rebuilt. This added authenticity and serve buildings but, at least in this to know whole lot about it to get it wasbit ofcheapera . The windows caused a a case, it was backfiring . Queale done and get it done well and at no bit problem. The originals had Terrace was being preserved as a huge expense," Weston said. operated with big weights in the wall rundown rental building. and a rope and pulley system. There The house received` a City of Ottawa Weston said the severance was a were large cavities in the wall which ; heritage designation plaque at the must if the tenants were to raise resulted in a lot of heat loss. Weston 1993 Heritage Day Awards.

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Your Heritage Ottawa Board ofDirectors

We thought it would be interesting degree in Museum Technology from Marian and Dick Heringer have for our membership to know who is Algonquin. He works at the Museum been members of Heritage Ottawa running the show! Listed below is a of Civilization and is a professional in since it was founded over 25 years brief biography of each of our 1993- the framing and mounting of draw- ago. Marian has a passion for 1994 Board members! ings and other exhibit material. He preservation that started in child- has been with us three years. hood. As a youngster, she recalls summers in Prescott and trips to President Louise Coates has a Aylmer where she was fascinated - Masters degree in journalism from Jean Palmer is an art historian, for- with the wonderful old houses in' Carleton University and works in the mer high school art teacher, and thesetowns. Dick is is a retired sur- communications field. Louise is pas- world traveller . Her last place of resi- geon and keeps a cool head in sionate both about saving heritage dence was Nairobi, Kenya, where crises! The Heringers joined the buildings in Ottawa and,educating she was Evening Programmes Board lastspring. the' public on the importance of her- Coordinator for the National Museum itage - architecture . She joined of Kenya and worked with Richard Heritage Ottawa in 1990. Leaky on the rehanging of the Joy , Joyce Henry was, until recently, Adamson National Portrait Heritage Ottawa's invaluable office Collection. person . She will graduate from Vice-president Rhys Phillips is a Carleton University in June with a household name because of his reg- Bachelor of Journalism degree, ular Saturday column on architec- Former president of Heritage with a combined 'Honours in ture in the . He has a Ottawa, Marc Denhez is a lawyer Political Science . Blessed with the doctorate in political science but, his who works by day for the Canadian ability to rapidly carry out 100 real interest seems to be supporting Homebuilding Association and the tasks of once, Joyce`worked at the preservation of built heritage. He rest of the time as a tireless advo- Heritage Ottawa since the fall of has restored his own house and cate of heritage conservation and 1992. reads and writes extensively on the education . He has published many philosophy and value of older build- papers and, most recently, a book ings. He joined us in 1988. on the history of the Canadian home. Although we will sorely miss Joyce; He joined Heritage Ottawa in 1981 . her replacement, Tracey Spack is quickly making herself indispensible Treasurer John Kowalski, our in the running of Heritage Ottawa's newest member, is a trained accoun- Paul Stumes is a civil engineer who office. Tracey is -a graduate student tant and another fundraiser for the spent many years at Parks Canada at Carleton University and is a wel- team. He has a B.A. in European developing methods to conserve and come addition to our dedicated History,from Carleton University and restore buildings. Paul .has lectured team. studied accounting at Sir Wilfred on the restoration and conservation Laurier University. of buildings all over the world . He generates many fundraising ideas Stuart Lazear, while not actually for Heritage Ottawa, such as the a Heritage Board member, has Mary Lou Doyle is our newsletter Christie's-style auction of architectur- attended our Board meetings for producer and a whiz at electronic al drawings we held last September. many years . Stuart was a Board publishing. Her background is a B.A. He joined in 1984. member in 1974 - 1975 and in English Literature and extensive remembers editing the newsletter experience in the field of publishing and making display panels when and communications . She is off to Gerard Robard lives in the Giebe Heritage Ottawa was located in the pursue a masters in heritage restora- and researched, wrote and delivered ` Fraser Schoolhouse. Stuart' is the tion this fall in Bratislava, in the tours of the Aberdeen Pavilion Senior Heritage Pplanner at the City Slovak Republic. She has been with and the Horticulture Building. He is of Ottawa, providing advice to City us three years. an engineer who travels with council's Planning Committee and CIDA (Canadian. . International to LACAC. Prior to working for the Development Agency), several times City of Ottawa, he worked on sever- Peter Irwin is a museum exhibits a year to run projects in Africa.' al heritage projects for the Alberta specialist,' with a B .A. from the Gerard is our contact with the south government, and was a Heritage University of Western Ontario and a end ofthe city. Planner for the City of Regina.

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Algonquin College : Heritage Ottawa Notes Architectural Conservation Technology Heritage Ottawa is seeking volun- by DavidCavalier teers for projects such as photo displays, membership drives and In 1972 Algonquin College began a Architectural Conservation Technology office work. Please call us and leave third year specialization of is currently a one year program . a message! Architectural Conservation Technology, Throughout the year, extensive in its regular Architectural focus is placed on establishing a firm Heritage Ottawa needs book- Technology program . During the understanding of the diversified shelves, especially tall ones. We past 21 years; the Conservation methods and approaches to are rearranging our collections and option has produced 126 graduates conserving our built heritage . donated shelves would be appreci- who are currently working in ated. We will pick up! a As the only program of its kind in variety, of positions in both .govern- Canada, we are looking forward to a We regret to announce that we have ment and professional offices across more national level of promotion. On had to cancel this September's Canada. a local level, we hope to sponsor Architectural Auction. In 1994, the program finds itself still presentations and hands-on work- receiving a wide range of support shops on heritage conservation top- Heritage Ottawa Newsletter from broad sector professionals ics for the general public during . .ISSN 0808-0506 Richarda of Contributors: . Cannings in the Architectural Conservation Heritage Week this coming year. David Cavalier field . Knowledge of this support Louise Coates If you would like to obtain more infor- M.L. Doyle comes in the form of results taken mation about this program, please . Joyce,Henry from a recent survey conducted by John Kawalski call: Jean Palmer the college . This national survey Paul Stumes demonstrated a continuing need for Design& Layout: M.L. Doyle the kind of program that'is offered, Editing: Louise Coates . as well as the graduates it :produces.' David Cavalier or Gerry White, M.L. Doyle Algonquin College, Joyce Henry The survey produced an impressive Jean Palmer response rate of over 40 percent. Tel: (813)727-4723 ext.3404.

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