HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENT Fort Henry Discovery Centre at Fort Henry, Kingston Design Rationale Submitted January 4, 2010 FINAL DRAFT DRAFT CLIENT: St. Lawrence Parks Commission (Agency of the Government of Ontario) DRAFT 2 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENT CREDITS Authors of this Heritage Impact Assessment Statement: +VG Architects The Ventin Group (Toronto) Ltd. Architects specializing in the restoration, renovation and adaptive reuse of educational, recreational and cultural facilities. Prepared by: • Peter Berton, OAA MRAIC CAHP APT AIA • Pietro Frenguelli, BArch OAR CAHP • Chris Ferguson, BEDS MArch OAA MRAIC CAHP • Celine Kim, HBAS • Bruce Cudmore, OAIA CSLA ASIA • EDA Collaborative (Landscape Architects) DRAFT *DISCLAIMER The images and text described herein represent a compendium of ideas and intellectual property that form the basis of a professional opinion by the authors only, acting as authorities on the subject. Any proposed and existing information contained within this study requires subsequent further analysis and verification by a contracted professional who carries appropriate liability and is a suitable definable professional by those authorities having jurisdiction. PROPOSED FORT HENRY DISCOVERY CENTRE AT FORT HENRY, KINGSTON SLPC (AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO) 3 DRAFT 4 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS TABLE OF CONTENTS A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY E IMPACT ASSESSMENT A.1 Purpose of the Document E.1 Land Patterns, Spatial Organization and A.2 Background and Reasons for the Built Form Intervention A.3 Evaluation E.2 The Fort and its Defensive System, the Cultural Landscape, the Engineered B DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY Landscape B.1 Background, History of the Site and its E.3 Archaeological Surveys and National Historic Site Designation Investigations to Date B.2 Components of the Fort, the Site and the E.4 Impact on Key Views Surrounding Area E.5 Impact on Archaeological Resources E.6 Impact on the Scale and Character of the Glacis and the Fort C SOURCE DOCUMENTS C.1 Commemorative Integrity Statement C.2 Rideau Canal World Heritage Site F RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION F.1 Steps Taken to Mitigate the Impact of the Management Plan Intervention on the Selected Site C.3 Fort Henry, National Historic Site Canada (NHSC) Management Plan C.4 Identification of Heritage Values and APPENDICES Guiding Principles for the Proposed Appendix A, Bibliography Development of a Discovery Centre at Appendix B, Glossary of Military Terminology Fort Henry NHSC Appendix C, Parks Canada - Definitions and Terminology Appendix D, Photo Credits D DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING D.1 Synopsis of the Building Programme D.2 Evaluation of Alternate Site Options and Site Selection DRAFT D.3 The New Discovery Centre; an Enhanced Visitor’s Experience D.4 Proposed Landscape Plan Description for Option 6 D.5 Vehicular Circulation and Parking D.6 Pedestrian Circulation and Pathways D.7 Proposed Building Description, Orientation, Scale and Materials PROPOSED FORT HENRY DISCOVERY CENTRE AT FORT HENRY, KINGSTON SLPC (AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO) 5 DRAFT 6 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT STATEMENT A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A.1 Purpose of the Document sound conservation practice and stature as any of the built forms. The objective is that the military +VG Architects were retained in 2010 by the St. heritage character and cultural landscape of Point Lawrence Parks Commission undertake the Design Henry is preserved. of a new Discovery Centre at Fort Henry. The assignment included the preparation of a Heritage A.2 Background and Reasons for the Impact Assessment for the proposed sites for the Intervention Discovery Centre. The goal is to determine which option would be most suitable to not only meet Long recognized as a national historic site, functional requirements, but also to study the Fort Henry is an iconic attraction in Kingston and impact of the intervention on the historic site. represents a unique destination within Canada. The current Fort, built from 1832 - 37, on the This Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is being site of a previous War of 1812 fortification, is an submitted for approval by Parks Canada with impressive physical fortress that has served a direct reference to the Fort Henry Commemorative number of important roles throughout its history, Integrity Statement (CIS) written by Parks Canada including the defence of Upper Canada during in conjunction with the St. Lawrence Parks the 19th century. The fort itself features well- Commission and other heritage partners. This maintained grounds, restored rooms, daily tours report continues the intent of the CIS and describes and interactive programming by the Fort Henry the process and rationale for the development of Guard. It hosts 125,000 visitors every year, from the proposed Discovery Centre within the grounds day tourists to education programs, who stay of Fort Henry. overnight in the restored Casemates. This HIA is the key public document with respect to Over the last 45 years, the St. Lawrence describing methods, processes, advantages and Parks Commission (SLPC), an agency of the disadvantages in evaluating a new intervention Ontario government, has managed the site for the and the construction of a new building within the federal government through an agreement with boundaries of Fort Henry National Historic Site the Department of National Defence and most of Canada, a site which is also part of the Rideau recently Parks Canada. During this period, SLPC Canal World Heritage Site. has steadily increased the level of programming and visitor engagement through the use of the Fort The property must be managed effectively to the Henry Guard, military and heritage performances, highest level by the Federal GovernmentDRAFT to ensure and engaging special events that leverage the that its Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and fort’s inspiring historic character. In 2007, UNESCO authenticity are maintained and enhanced. awarded the Rideau Canal, Fort Henry, and the Kingston Fortifications the distinguished “World One of the stated strategic goals is to protect Heritage Site Designation,” thus boosting the site’s the cultural landscape of Fort Henry in a manner international recognition. that respects its historic value and ensures its preservation. The proposed location of the However, visitation continues to decline and Discovery Centre is on the North East Glacis, and it is evident that the facility needs to expand the Glacis is a key character-defining element of its programmes in order to appeal to a broader the fortification system, and requires the same audience, especially families. While it is an iconic attraction in Ontario, its current visitor offerings PROPOSED FORT HENRY DISCOVERY CENTRE AT FORT HENRY, KINGSTON SLPC (AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO) 7 are limited in both appeal and scope. Effective A.3 Evaluation communication tools are required to convey the significance and meaning of the historic site to In evaluating the impact of the new building at the visitor. A new Discovery Centre will create an the site, research was carried out to understand introductory experience to the visitor which will the history of the site and goals for the future. As make history come alive, effectively communicate well, the following documents were reviewed: the national significance of the site to the public, and invigorate tourism interest in the fort, and the • Commemorative Integrity Statement (1996); economic vitality of the area. • Rideau Canal World Heritage Site Master Plan (2007); Proposed at approximately 10,000 sq ft, the new Discovery Centre will contain new multi media and • Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada hands-on exhibits, feature iconic artifacts reflecting (NHSC) Management Plan (2007); the fort’s historic importance and relationship to • Identification of Heritage Values and guiding Canada’s early development as a nation. These principles for the proposed Development of a new visitor experiences must heighten the level of Discovery Centre at Fort Henry NHSC; personal engagement and interactive participation • Other historical documents and ParksP Canada demanded by today’s standards, while celebrating documents. the engineering achievement of this impenetrable fortress. These documents provided the basis on which It is anticipated that the new Discovery Centre to evaluate the potential sites and the preferred will cost effectively contribute to the viability options. of SLPC’s operations by appealing to more diverse visitor demographics. The new facility Generally, the guidelines for any future will accommodate an extended tourism season, development or intervention on the site as provide new hospitality spaces and partnering described by these documents are; opportunities. • To maintain the legibility of the military plan The mandate of the new Discovery Centre is to and character of the site; provide a wider range of unique and compelling • To maintain existing views and visual linkages visitor experiences that entertain as they educate. to and from the fort; In the case of Fort Henry, it is clear that, while it • To maintain the Glacis and unobstructed is an iconic attraction in Ontario, its current visitor views to ensure public understanding of the offerings are limited in both appeal and scope. defensive system and the visual relationship to This is exacerbated by the short summer season other historic locations; and the outdoor nature of current programming. The new Discovery Centre will DRAFTprovide