GHS - June 2016
June 2017 #90
It’s finally spring. The masthead photo has nothing to do with history except that the trellis beams in the background are from a 150-year-old barn, meaning
that the tree was a sapling around 1700.
Most of the news in this letter has come from our president, Ron Sinclair.
The designation of the Woodburn Centennial Hall has moved closer to happening. The Inventory/Research Working Group which reports to the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee has
reviewed the recently completed Cultural Heritage Assessment and is recommending designation. If this recommendation is accepted by HMHC, the remaining steps are Planning Department and then City Council. It has been a long road to reach this point. The recommendation to designate the property was made by our Heritage Society in 2008.
The end is in sight.
The Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee Annual Awards evening will take place on Thursday, June 15th at 7pm, at the Worker’s Arts and Heritage Centre. This is an opportunity to
recognize the contributions to our architectural heritage made by individuals, property owners and developers. This year we are proud that Karen and Paul Patterson, the owners of 2174 Nebo Road will receive an award for their commitment to the maintenance of their home which is widely known as the “Maggie Clark Johnson house and is Glanbrook’s first designated property dating back to 1982. All are invited to attend.
Does anyone have an idea that the Glanbrook Heritage Society could pursue as a Canada 150 Project? Please send your ideas to Ron Sinclair atn rlsinclair@sourcecable.net.
Earlier in the spring, we became aware of the possibility that the S.S. #6 Glanford School in Hannon might be demolished to accommodate expansion plans at the IBEW Centre on Nebo Road at Twenty Rd. Our kudos to Brenda Johnson, our Ward 11 Councillor, and the IBEW leadership for coming up with a solution that doesn’t involve the school. This building was constructed in 1874. While we are blessed that many of the one room school houses are still standing and contributing to architectural heritage, the Hannon School is unique
as its interior remains as a classroom equipped with original blackboards just as it did when it closed almost 50 years ago.
On June 1st, we were asked to join with others in the community at a Canada 150 event hosted at the Mount Hope Elementary School. We’ll let you know how it goes at the Strawberry Social.
One of the “cornerstones” of heritage has been the concept of adaptive re-use, along with reclaim and reuse buildings, either in their entirety or in parts. We’ve modified this somewhat and not really in a heritage context. The series of photos below is our humble attempt to preserve memories of the ash tree, now in great decline due to emerald
ash borer infestation. The early stages of damage showing the upper branches dying,the result being a dead tree in one to two more years. Rather than leaving it to rot, it’s now cut down, he borers will die and not be able to spread the infection. Now comes the reuse. Cut into planks and boards,the wood can be made into something useful and
lasting, with a bit of firewood as a bonus.
While we’re on the reuse topic, there’s been an issue simmering in my (Art’s, not Ron’s) mind for almost 10 years. It concerns that great white building on Fennell Avenue known as Auchmar. Back when I was chair of HMHC, I commented to a Spectator reporter that Auchmar would need 1½ to 2 million dollars to bring it to a public use standard, if
one could be found. Needless to say, I was not popular for some time with a certain section in city hall because of the amount of dollars I suggested. Fast forward to 2017 and the numbers now range from 8 to 14 million dollars. It’s great to say “I told you so.” And so the story goes on with a cast of revolving players with little hope except in the
minds of a few. (And we won’t get into the downtown St Mark’s story.)
Digitization of records is not a new topic. It’s likely as old as the internet, but it is becoming more frequent locally. We’ve started the process with the Spectator births, deaths and marriages from 1846 to 1902. Those are the years for which the data was collected by Gordon Allison and in the later 6 years by the Society. It’s being posted on our
website as the transcription process is completed year by year. Another area is the Women’s Institute records of the Blackheath, Maggie Johnson and Binbrook branches. This is being done by volunteers at Erland Lee Museum. The records have been stored in our archives for a number of years and soon will be available for all to see.
The Strawberry Social will be held on the patio at the Municipal Service Centre on Monday, June 26th at 7pm. Please bring a lawn chair. If the weather is unpleasant, we can move inside to the Council Chambers.
The Office closes for the summer on Friday, June 23rd and re-opens on Thursday, September 7th. Appointments can be arranged during the summer
months.
Here’s an early notice of the South Wentworth Plowmen’s Association plowing match held in the second week of October, The Society sponsors two classes, antique tractor and plow and one for horses. This year the location is close, the former Marshall farm, corner of Tyneside and White Church roads. See you in the fall.