Posts Tagged restoration

Photo Credit: K. Manning

So, you own a home that was built prior to 1940 and you’re listening to all the hype out there from window companies about how great vinyl windows are at saving you money on your heating bills. You want to rip out those old “nasty” windows and put in some vinyl instead. Should you do it? There was a workshop I attended on November 20^th that was sponsored by the Aurora Heritage Advisory Committee that addressed the prevailing attitudes about our society’s need to abandon the old and adopt the new when it comes to replacing windows in older homes. You may save a few dollars in the first few years, but that will eventually change. Quite simply, you could be causing your home more long term damage if you replace those old wood windows with vinyl. An alternative you should consider is repairing your original windows instead.  (more…)

Photo Credit: Activehistory.ca

For those of you who are involved in municipal heritage planning or preservation, no matter where in Canada you are, you have surely heard about the demolition of 41 historic buildings along Colborne Street in Brantford, Ontario. This was a demolition of monumental proportions because of the history and heritage lost which affects not just Brantford history, but Canadian history and heritage. Why is it such a hot debate? Among these buildings were some of the most complete pre-Confederation buildings in Canada as well as the office of Alexander Graham Bell and one of the first grocery stores in Ontario. They ranged in architectural style from Italianate, Georgian Gothic, Victorian and Edwardian. It is not necessarily the loss of these architectural styles, or the personal history in these buildings, that holds the key to future appreciation of built heritage structures. It is, however, the loss of potential re-adaptive use. It must be acknowledged that these buildings, for the most part, had been neglected over the last couple of decades. Yet that doesn’t mean they could not have been revitalized and brought back to life through a marriage of past styles and modern functions to create a new environmental and corporate friendly existence.

Photo Credit: Brantford Heritage Committee. Reprinted in the Natonal Post, June 8 2010; nationalpost.com

The City of Brantford took control of the block of buildings along south Colborne Street in 2009 and applied to Ottawa for a Federal stimulus package worth $1.38 million to tear down the structures. There was no plan at that time as to what to do with the cleared site other than use it as a source of future economic development. Heritage groups, individual advocates and national foundations did what they could to stop the project. The project was halted briefly while City Council discussed the matter. In the end, demolition went ahead on June 8, 2010.

One positive thing that has come from this event is more and more city mayoral candidates in Ontario are being asked by the public their views on heritage preservation in their cities. In fact, similar questions are being asked all across Canada this fall as Colborne Street is not an isolated case. Every part of Canada sees some sort of significant loss of heritage sites and/or buildings every year. On October 7th, 2010 the Brantford Expositor published a story about how Brantford mayoral and ward councilor candidates are facing the public’s questions about Colborne Street and their views about heritage preservation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings. Heritage preservation and adaptive re-use is becoming an important topic of debate as many citizens are becoming more aware of their community’s history as well as the positive economic impact of adapting older buildings for new purposes.

Photo Credit: Activehistory.ca

There is still a long way to go in educating the politicians and the public in general. But at least debate is a step in the right direction. If you would like to read the full Expositor article, please click the link below.

Expositor Article by Michael-Allan Marion

Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

If you love a good story about a person’s rise from rags to riches yet never loses their kindness and compassion for others, then the third instalment of the “Canadian Castles” series is for you. Nestled in the heart of Baden Ontario, is a stunning Italianate home that was built in 1877 for James Livingston, a flax and linseed oil industrialist whose empire stretched as far west as Manitoba and south into the United States. On the home’s exterior, Livingston had been criticised for its “plainness” yet, on the inside, it boasted one of the finest collections of ceiling paintings and handcrafted local furniture anywhere in Canada. Considered the “Jewel of Wilmot Township”, Castle Kilbride was the Livingston family home for four generations and represented a little piece of Scotland that was so dear to James Livingston.   (more…)

Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

One of the things that impressed me the most about Guelph, Ontario was the abundance of mid to late nineteenth century limestone buildings. A person who is interested in Canadian architectural history and heritage planning would feel like they were walking through a candy shop as they explored these beautiful streets! Every corner you turn, you will see a beautiful home, or business, that has been lovingly maintained and cared for. Of the many limestone buildings in Guelph, the one that attracts the most visitors every year is the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, that is perched high on the hill on the corner of Macdonnell and Norfolk streets. Its history is amazing and architecturally, it is one of the finest examples of the French Gothic Revival style for places of worship in all of Canada.  (more…)

Photo Credit: Laura Waldie

Despite the heavy rains that came on June 6, the Doors Open Ottawa weekend was a great success. Nearly 60,000 people came out on June 5 and 6 to visit the 119 cultural and historic venues all around the city and surrounding area. As a historian who loves anything to do with heritage, I decided to sign up as a volunteer and really get involved. On June 5, I was at the Parks Canada Conservation Laboratories on Walkley Rd, and boy what a great day that was! If you thought Parks Canada was just about parks and good looking uniformed rangers politely telling you to put your campfire out, than think again and read on! (more…)