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Architectural Conservancy of Ontario – Port Hope Branch Newsletter – November 2010

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – a date of remembrance which signalled the end of World War 1 and has since been a day

of remembrance across Canada. In Port Hope, we have many monuments commemorating the sacrifices of men and women to our country’s freedom and their sacrifice in foreign wars. These monuments are an important part of our architectural heritage and like all built things, require constant attention to ensure they continue to be preserved for future generations. I am always surprised at how many memorial monuments there are in Port Hope. Some of you may not even be aware of some of these monuments. Let’s take a tour of our war memorials: At Town Hall, Col. Williams, the Hero of Batoche resides on the front lawn. This magnificent bronze sculpture depicts the Port Hope resident who led the army that subdued the Métis rebellion in Saskatchewan. Flanking this sculpture is a Cannon dating from the Crimean War and a Gun captured from the German Army in 1919. Beside Town Hall is the Memorial Park dedicated to our war dead. In the corner of the Park is the Memorial Bandshell, built in 1948 by volunteers recognizing WWII veterans and casualties. In 1992 a group made up of citizens, ACO and LACAC volunteers, raised $75,000 to move the Bandshell to its present location and to undertake its restoration. Many volunteered their efforts, including A.K. Sculthorpe, Lee Caswell, myself and Gerry Sproule. Gerry continues to organize summer concerts in the Bandshell. The opening day of the “newly restored Bandshell” drew thousands and a picture was taken showing all who participated in this inaugural event. In Memorial Park one also finds the Cenotaph – a limestone monument dedicated to those who have lost their lives in various wars and conflicts. The Cenotaph is the site of the moving Remembrance Day events each year and where Last Post is played and the two minutes of silence is observed. If one keeps walking, one discovers the Dieppe Monument south of Town Hall, commemorating Canada’s soldiers’ role in this epic 1942 battle. Across the road in Rotary Park is a small monument to the atomic bomb destruction of Hiroshima in 1945. Cross the bridge and visit Skeena, the Navy League centre in Port Hope where plaques tell some of the stories of the role and sacrifice of sailors in the Royal Canadian Navy. The Skeena is named after a WWII warship, lost in 1944, and the plaque is dedicated to the men lost in that sinking. Two other plaques commemorate HMCS Port Hope (a mine sweeper) and HMCS Cobourg (a corvette) named after our Towns. Incidentally, the Royal Canadian Navy is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Now, if one journeys up Toronto Road, one can visit the Veterans’ Cemetery at Union Cemetery. The simple markers neatly placed near Toronto Road pay homage to these Veterans. Further north at Canton Town Hall is the Memorial and Garden dedicated to casualties and veterans of foreign wars. This recently constructed monument is of particular interest. After this tour, one can visit all the churches, Town Hall, the Legion, Trinity College School and numerous other buildings which house plaques honouring the war dead. This is indeed an impressive collection of monuments. We of ACO, like other groups in Town, should honour them and ensure their continued upkeep. It proves that Port Hope is a Town that will never forget. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and home owners of the 2010 House Tour held October 2nd. It was reputed to be one of the best ever house tours. I would like to remind members of the upcoming Christmas Party. I hope to see our members there to renew our commitment to the preservation of our heritage and to share cheer and good food with fellow members. I also bring to your attention the Annual General Meeting to be held in February 2011 and remind members that if they would like to join the board or any volunteer committee to let their wishes be known via our email address. I look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Party.� Phillip�H.�Carter� M.�Arch.,�M.C.P.,�OAA,�FRAIC,�CAHP

From the President:A TOWN THAT REMEMBERS

Contents:From the President: ............................................... 1Antiques & Artifacts ............................................... 2The Port Hope and Cobourg Annual Bus Tour ~ Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 .............................. 3Scholarship! ........................................................... 3Finding the Footprints of the Great Old Railway Lines ......................................................... 4Report on the ACO BBQ ........................................ 6Report on the 45th Annual ACO House Tour ~ October 2nd ......................................................... 6Friends of Wesleyville Village ................................ 6File Factory Update ............................................... 6Projects Committee Report ................................... 7Pier Group Issues ................................................... 7

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ACO Matters November 2010

ACO Board of Directors 2010Executive Committee Phil Carter ............................ PresidentTom Cruikshank ................... Vice PresidentPenny Harris ......................... SecretaryEileen Ford ........................... Treasurer

Directors Patsy Beeson Susan Carmichael Judith Copeland Patricia DoneyEd PamenterCharles WickettLee Caswell .......................... Advisor

Committee Chairs Joan Tooke ........................... AuctionPatsy Beeson ........................ Bus Tour & Newsletter Patricia McCaw .................... Newsletter Layout(vacant) ................................ Projects & Auction Mary Shaw-Rimmington ..... Garden TourCharles Wickett .................... GovernanceSusan Carmichael ................. House TourTrish Doney .......................... MembershipEd Pamenter ......................... Property & HPH Rep.Gerald Tooke ........................ PublicationsMary Trevor ......................... ScholarshipJudith Copeland ................... Social

The�ACO�was�incorporated�in�1933�for�the�preservation�of�the�best�examples�of�architecture�in�the�province�and�for�the�preservation�of�its�places�of�natural�beauty.

Begin Your Christmas Shopping Early!!

Consider giving ACO Memberships as Christmas gifts this year or even as stocking stuffers! Not only will you be adding to our membership numbers but you will also be

helping to support our projects as we work to preserve Ontario’s architectural heritage.

Membership forms can be found on our website at www.acoporthope.caContact Trish Doney at

pdoney@sympatico.ca or call (905) 885-6586 if you need

more information.Ho! Ho! Ho!

Antiques & Artifacts

The Town Park Recreation Centre is booked for Sunday April 10, 2011. We have reluctantly accepted

the fact that Les Brittan will not be doing a seventh auction for us, and thank him most sincerely for presiding over the first six. We are happy auctioneer Rob Rusland of Peterborough is looking forward to the challenge of presenting 250 items in a little over three hours. We can report that the Chapel is filling up with a wonderful assortment of auction items, and that Carrol Dizenbach has joined the Committee. The countdown to Antiques & Artifacts 2011 has begun. In the last Antiques & Artifacts report in ACO�Matters, I asked for your help and requested donations of “great stuff.” Let me define “great stuff”: great stuff relates to the title Antiques & Artifacts; great stuff is collectible; great stuff has a presence about it; great stuff is clean and in good condition; great stuff is hard to give up. Some items that might be “great stuff” in another sale are out of place in Antiques & Artifacts. These include, but are not limited to, electronic equipment, draperies, out-of-date as opposed to vintage household or office equipment, artificial greenery, much-used lampshades and other such things. We look forward to your “great stuff.” Please contact Ed Pamenter (905-885-2737) or myself (905-885-1116) to facilitate drop off or pick up. Please provide us with as much information as possible concerning your donations.� Joan�Tooke,�Chair�

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We are visiting Prince Edward County in 2011, but with so much to see we're concentrating on Picton, Glenora and North Marysburgh just

south of it. If this seems well-trod territory, think again as, true to our policy, we'll be taking our travellers to some places of great architectural interest which you're very unlikely to have visited before. Certain things are firm. First stop is at one of the two splendid old stone buildings at the Glenora Ferry Dock, prominently visible as you approach by water. It's the 1806 Van Alstine's Mill, the oldest industrial building in Ontario, and was built by Major Peter Van Alstine, once one of the area's most influential figures. At one time John A. Macdonald's father was the mill manager, and John A. himself probably worked there in his student days. It has been lovingly converted to a home by a retired Humanities professor from York University, John Paul Harney, who is kindly allowing us to visit. We'll also visit a glorious old house with the distinctive 'Marysburgh gable', on the lakeshore in North Marysburgh (Waupoos area), restored with huge panache from a crumbling state by its owner who has his own

Scholarship!

We are proud to relate that Zachary Carrie recently graduated this past Spring from the heritage masonry course at Algonquin College

and has already formed a company - MASONRY MATTERS (905 800 0238) - and can be seen around town working very hard. Recently you may have noticed scaffolding in front of Acanthus Interiors. That was Zack, fixing the brick work up at the roof line. This is exactly what we were hoping would happen with our scholarship recipients. � Mary�Trevor,�Scholarship�Chair.

private vineyard. And following that we'll visit Hayes Inn, a gem of an 1838 Greek Revival Inn (think bijou Barnum House) which, when 150 years old, was moved from Consecon to its present site in the 1960s. It's new owners, two young lawyers who collect old houses and are sticklers for authenticity, have turned it into the perfect little B&B. After lunch, we'll have a tour of Picton and our tour guide will be Gilles Miramontes, president of the provincial ACO in 1991. We can't get much better than that! We're planning to visit the Courthouse and the Crystal Palace, and Gilles will no doubt show us all sorts of other interesting and historical places around town. The Busketeers did a dry run on September 22nd and it promises to be a really interesting tour; but there still remain a number of points to be finalized so we are not yet taking bookings. Please note that at one or two points this trip involves a certain amount of walking to reach buildings, and some of the old buildings have fairly challenging stairs. If interested, contact Patsy Beeson, at pbeeson@eagle.ca or 905-885-4416.

HAYES INNPrince Edward County’s oldest inn

Located in beautiful WaupoosRecently restored to provide luxurious accommodations

in an authentic 1830s environmentwww.HayesInn.com

The Port Hope and Cobourg Annual Bus Tour ~ Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

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ACO Matters November 2010

This�is�the�second�of�two�articles�on�the�local�historic�railway�lines,�by�TED�RAFUSE.�In�this�one�he��describes�how�to�play�railway�detective�and�where�to�find�the�vestiges�of�the�old�lines�in�our�nearby�countryside�.In�the�previous�article�he�described�the�visit�of�Queen�Victoria's�son,�The�Crown�Prince,�to�Cobourg�and�Port�Hope�150�years�ago.�The��Prince's�progress�around�Ontario,�as�he�encompassed�a�great�many�towns�and�a�very�full�schedule,�was�achieved�at�a�speed�unheard�of�in�an�earlier�era.�

Finding the Footprints of the Great Old Railway Lines

Much of the speed of the Prince's journey could only have been accomplished by the use of the local railways. All of them had been quite

recently constructed and it was hoped would impress the Prince with the progressiveness of this part of Upper Canada. Unfortunately for those of us today, little remains of three of the four railways which existed during the Prince’s visit. The Cobourg & Peterborough Railway, which opened for traffic on Dec. 31, 1854, is totally abandoned today. A portion of its berm (the raised portion of the road bed which creates the contour on which are secured the ties and rails) is still in use, with rails that serve the Canada Pallet Company on Division Street in Cobourg.

Between Cobourg and Rice Lake vestiges of the berm remain, but need off-road hiking to detect them; and on the north-south highway approach into Harwood the road is built on the old berm, a portion of it visible on the west side of the road, most noticeable as a small 'cut' into some of the laneways to the residences there. North of Rice Lake, still following the C&PRy route to Ashburnham (now part of Peterborough) where its Station was, are more parts of the line. For the most part it takes a railway history afficionado to locate these, but two miles west of Keene is a raised section, and in Peterborough the original rails are still in place across Ashburnham Road close to where the old station was. Boaters on Rice Lake are occasionally reminded of the C&PRy's former trestle bridge from the great pilings still in place below the water. When constructed, the rails were four feet above the high water mark, but when the Trent-Severn waterway flooded the Rice Lake plain in the early 1920's the pilings became submerged and wreaked havoc on many a chartless boater. Of the Port Hope & Peterborough Railway, between Millbrook and Peterborough, opened in May 1857, there is little remaining, although the line here lasted more than a hundred years. Those with keen eyesight can see where this line crossed Highway 28 at the south end of Fraserville, but even this is quickly being overgrown. Little remains to indicate that this line entered Peterborough and had a station on Bethune Street. There are also few traces of the Port Hope, Lindsay & Beaverton Railway, opened in late 1856. But in Port Hope itself there are interesting remains. Lent’s Lane, immediately to the west of the Farmers' Market area, forms the conspicuous berm of the old line. In fact,

Taken after the destruction of the bridge across the Rice Lake. The C&P railroad opened with great fanfare in 1854 and was plagued with problems ever after particularly with this bridge over Rice Lake. In 1861 the bridge completely collapsed during the winter. At the same time Port Hope completed a line to Peterborough skirting around the lake and obviously got the freight and passenger business.

Cobourg & Peterborough Railway Company. Harwood Station, 20 November 1860. Received from Mr. Henry Fowlds in apparent good order, to be delivered at Cobourg subject to the Regulations established by Tariff. 220 bags flour and forwarded to Alex Pratt, Cobourg."

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Of the Grand Trunk Railway, more remains. It is in fact the only railway active today that witnessed the Prince on its tracks. It was completed in October 1856 and was double tracked in the early 1890s. In 1923 The Grand Trunk was absorbed into the Canadian National Railways system and CN has operated these rails ever since . An�endless��fund�of�knowledge�on�everything�to�do�with�trains,�Ted��has�led�local�Railway�Walking�Tours�which�were�an�eye-opening�delight.�His�passion�began�when�he�received�a�Lionel�train�set�at�Christmas�when�he�was�five�years�old.�This�turned�to�modelling�in�his�early�thirties�and�in�time�he�created�a�basement�HO�model�railway�based�on�the�concept�that�the�Cobourg�&�Peterborough�Railway�survived�into�the�mid�twentieth�century.�He�later�constructed�a�portable�HO�layout�depicting�the�actual�nineteenth�century�C&PRy�including�a�section�of�Rice�Lake�Bridge,�for�public�presentation.�In�addition�to�his�past�writings,�he�has�produced�an��unpublished�manuscript�on�the�C&PRy,�and�is�currently�researching�material�on�the�Port�Hope,�Lindsay�and�Beaverton�Railway,�and�two�other�lines.�We�hope�one�day�he�might�consider�leading�a�driving�tour��to�point�out�some�of�the�traces�of�the�wonderful�old�railway�lines�he�has�described�in�these�articles.��

follow the line of Lent's Lane south from Dorset Street towards the once busy harbour, and you can plainly see the old railway ties. Running north, the Lindsay train would have traversed Walton Street, bridged the river on Ontario Street, then turned north, hugging its east bank. More of the berm can be seen north of the Bailey bridge (the I.G.A. building flattened part of the it). Above the File Factory the train would have re-crossed the Ganaraska (by a bridge whose large pilings are still much in evidence), and then, continuing north between Cavan and the river's edge, passed where the ball diamond now is, south of Jocelyn. It would then have run through the Conservation Area on its journey north. A discerning eye can locate the berm at locations between Port Hope and Millbrook. Due south of the main intersection in Millbrook, the most significant railway construction was at a point where the terrain necessitated the building of a 1,000-foot-long curved trestle which, at its highest point, was some forty feet above the ravine floor. Known as Galloway’s Bridge, this partly-trestle structure was filled in with earth some years later. It is still visible though no rails surmount this man-made hill today. Beyond Millbrook towards Lindsay the line is more evident but that is beyond the scope of this writing.

On May 15 and 16th, 1948 Edwin Guillet and his sons Robert and James followed the old railroad line on foot from Cobourg to Peterborough and took this and many other photographs of their journey.

This C&P railway station of Cobourg was located near Division and Charles Streets, and is now a private home.

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ACO Matters November 2010

File Factory Update

Rod Stewart is hoping the Phase 1 Environmental assessment site inspection will be done on Oct. 5th, and a report received by the end of Oct.

Friends of Wesleyville Village

It's been a busy and exciting summer and fall for the Friends of Wesleyville Village, with a great concert by the San Murata Trio, a harvest festival and a barn

dance at the badminton court at the Batterwood estate. These events bring together new and long-standing Wesleyville village restoration supporters. Each visit to the Church reveals the progress that volunteer and professional workers have made towards bringing the centre of the former community back to life.The "Friends" would especially like to thank the ACO Port Hope Branch and its members for their excellent financial and moral support.� Sue�Stickley

Report on the 45th Annual ACO House Tour ~ October 2nd

SOLD OUT!

This year’s tour was a resounding success, with great weather – not a raincloud in sight – and very happy patrons. The tour featured a diversity of home

styles: Modern, Asian, Country, English to Heritage, and their periods varied from circa 1850 to 2009. Many thanks go to all who helped make this day happen including volunteers, florists, retailers, sponsors and individuals with their special expertise. The event was well attended by patrons from all over Ontario as well as locally. A bus with 31 from the Royal Ontario Museum also enjoyed the tour. This is the last year for this House Tour Committee of Daphne Svenningson, Diana Joynt, Jacquie Currelly, Janet Harvey, Joan Moss, and Fionna Barrington who have worked very hard all year long to ensure the day is a success. I presented a cheque to the ACO for $29,000. We were able to increase the amount passed on to the ACO through increased sponsorship and the thriftiness of my committee as we used email to inform Mail Order patrons of the upcoming House Tour. Also I was able to purchase CFMX radio advertising at a silent auction for a fraction of the cost.� Susan�Carmichael,�Chair

Report on the ACO BBQ

On a brilliant , hot afternoon, the Board of the ACO came together at the home of Bobbie and Dick Lesueur on a hilltop in Hope township (Ward

2). Tents, tables, barbecues, corn boilers , serving items, glasses and linens were carted to the site and set up for our annual event designed to re-connect with and express appreciation to our members and volunteer supporters. Promptly, at 5.30, guests began to arrive and were delighted with the beautiful location and friendly, casual atmosphere. By all accounts the burgers and corn were good, the crudites and desserts produced by Board members were great, and the bar-tenders were charming!! After sunset the crew sprang into action to dismantle the whole thing. Truckloads of stuff were packed up and returned, and heaps of garbage disposed of. The only disaster was a burnt circle on the lawn for which the Lesueurs have forgiven us. Thanks to all the Board members and the other volunteers for their considerable contributions – cooking over a barbecue on a hot summer eve deserves special appreciation. Ed, Susan, John, Charles, Lee – thanks.Perhaps we can do it again next year!� Judith�Copeland

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Projects Committee Report

As the watchdog that keeps its eye on the state of Port Hope’s older buildings, the Projects Committee meets every month or so for a

discussion of properties whose fate hangs in the balance. Sometimes, the discussion is quite urgent; sometimes, the debate is over allocation of ACO funding. Whatever the case, the Committee settles on a strategy and advises the Board on a plan of action. Currently, we’re keeping a close watch on: • The Walton Hotel—The ACO has contributed a substantial sum to ensure the new windows on this restored downtown anchor match the original pattern. We’re delighted with the results. • Nicholson File Factory—We are encouraged by Rod Stewart’s personal effort to organize an effort to make this valuable, albeit derelict industrial complex “sale-able” and recommended that the ACO help fund an initial study. • Sackville Bridge, just east of Bewdley—Repair or replacement is on the horizon and we hope to work further with Hamilton Township to ensure that this, perhaps the last “bowstring” concrete bridge in the vicinity, is preserved. • Central School—A surplus building, the old school on Pine Street is currently for sale, its future uncertain. This is one to watch closely. • Presbyterian Church—The congregation approached us regarding repairs and restoration to the foundation of their Walton Street landmark. • Greenwood Tower—Now under new ownership, this is another important building that deserves our attention. Not only is it a first-rate house, the adjacent water tower is a fascinating and unique structure. • Wesleyville Church—It’s heartening to see a new effort to rehabilitate this charming country kirk. This past summer, the Committee recommended allocation of funding toward repairs and bat-proofing. • 28-30 Walton Street—At the head of Queen Street, you can tell this two-shopfront block—originally a stylish downtown hotel—is going to need major repairs sooner or later. One to watch. � Tom�Cruickshank,�Chair�

Pier Group Issues

We’re in pre-election mode, and we’ve been pretty active in bringing the public’s attention to the heritage concerns of this community; not just the

Pier but the entire waterfront and downtown area:• We’ve organized a series of round table discussions

on four relevant topics; Urban Design and Planning; Economic Development; Youth Issues and Arts and Culture. These round table discussion groups were made up of representatives from a broad cross-section of Port Hope businesses, organizations and individuals who had an interest in making this a better community. While the focus was to a limited extent how the Pier Building could contribute to the issues, the resultant wide-reaching discussions spotlighted how great our potential is, and how badly we need to capitalize on that potential.

• The Municipality has recently passed a new Zoning By-law and Official Plan Amendment, both of which encourage quantity of development and say nothing about quality or character of development. We considered this unacceptable, so we’ve appealed both new laws to the Ontario Municipal Board.

• We’ve discovered that the town is not bothering to enforce the deal it negotiated with Cameco to widen, landscape and improve the public water’s edge around the Cameco property. We’ve challenged this failure, both through the media and directly to Council.

• The latest issue of our Pier Guardian newspaper contains questions and answers from our municipal candidates, highlighting their position on critical waterfront issues. As an organization, we’re bound by the same rules as the ACO; we can’t endorse or financially support individual candidates. But now that we know where they stand, we as individuals can make informed choices and vote for those who take a pro-heritage position.

• We’ve significantly updated our web site at www.thepiergroup.ca.

The Garland awardsPlease forward suggestions for residential, commercial and ‘building block’ awards to

Phil Carter, 885-4380. Remember, the project must be completed in 2010.

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ACO Matters November 2010

Architectural Conservancy of OntarioPort Hope Branch

MeMbership applicaTion

Name(s): ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Full Address: ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________________________________

E-Mail: ____________________________________________________________

Annual memberships in the ACO, Port Hope Branch are due each January 1st. Membership cut-off is July each year. The Port Hope Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario is financed through membership fees and voluntary contributions which are tax deductible. Additional funds are raised through the annual House Tour, Biennial Garden Tour, Antiques & Artifacts Auction and other fund raising initiatives. Educational programs, including bus/walking tours of Port Hope and other learning forums are part of our yearly program. Each member is invited to participate in branch and provincial activities. Membership also includes a subscription to Acorn, the provincial ACO publication, and ACO�Matters, our Port Hope Chapter publication.

Please send your cheque to address below: • Individual Membership: ......................................$30.00• Family Membership: ...........................................$35.00• Organization Membership: ..................................$40.00• Donation: .............................................................$?????

ACO Port Hope, Box 563, Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z4

Tel.: 905.885.7929 • Website: www.ACOPortHope.ca

Major Upcoming EventsACO CHRISTMAS PARTY

Thursday, November 25th at 5.30See above

F.O.W.V. CAROL SING Sunday, December 12th, 2011

at the church, 2082 Lakeshore Rd.ACO AGM

February 17th, 2011 (to be confirmed)Upstairs at the Capitol

ANTIQUES & ARTIFACTS AUCTION Sunday, April 10th, 2011

See page 2PORT HOPE & COBOURG ANNUAL BUS TOUR

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011See page 3

PLACE AN AD IN ACO MATTERS!Why not place an advertisement in the pages of

ACO Matters? Our readership is naturally interested in buildings, their preservation, furnishing, their

gardens, and everything else to do with them. Ads are $120 per year – a bargain

spread over four issues.Contact Eileen Ford at 905.885.1007,

or eford@cogeco.ca .

Christmas party The annual ACO Christmas Cocktail party

will be held on Thursday, November 25th at 5:30 p.m.

at the home of Phil Carter & Sheilagh Fletcher

200 Bruton Street RSVP with a cheque for $23.00 to

ACO Port Hope c/o Judith Copeland 72 Pine St. N., Port Hope L1A 3G8

As space is limited, the first 90 responses will be accepted