CENTRE WELLINGTON – Heritage Centre Wellington kicked off Heritage Week by presenting three properties with Heritage Recognition Awards.
“Heritage Day is a time to reflect on the achievements of past generations and to accept responsibility for protecting our heritage. These awards publicly recognize the efforts that have been made to conserve heritage in Centre Wellington,” Philip Brown, who sits on the Heritage Centre Wellington advisory committee, said as the awards were announced Feb. 10.
“We are blessed to have the ability to appreciate our heritage on a daily basis simply by walking through our historical downtowns and neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Kelly Linton. “We are especially fortunate to have a committee that is rich in historical knowledge, and passionate about heritage conservation and advocacy within the Township.”
Adaptive Reuse Using Sustainable Design Award
The Adaptive Reuse Using Sustainable Design Award went to 37 McNab Street, in Elora.
Built in the summer of 1842, the log structure is an early and rare example of a pre-Confederation one storey schoolhouse – the first one in the township.
Its design is simple, solid and unadorned, reflecting its practical institutional use.
The early settlers of Elora were predominantly Scottish and they valued the importance of education. When the property was sold, the new owner incorporated the existing log structure into a new “green” passive solar energy-saving home.
Heritage Property Conservation Award
The Heritage Property Conservation Award went to Elora Mill Hotel and Spa.
Originally hand-built by Scottish laborers (1851-59), the Elora Mill is the historic heart and signature sight of Elora.
Overlooking the Elora Gorge, the limestone building was formerly home to a gristmill, sawmill, wool factory, shops, and inn. In 2010 the mill property was acquired by Pearle Hospitality who undertook an extensive 6-year revitalization plan. The Elora Mill Hotel and Spa opened on July 6, 2018, giving new life to this iconic building.
Heritage Property Restoration Award
The Heritage Property Restoration Award went to 310 Union St. East in Fergus.
The building is a two-storey Italianate-style dwelling built in 1865 with cut stone, medium gable roof, large quoins and front bay window addition.
The previous owners, Thomas Homer Dixon and Sarah Wolfe, carried out extensive renovations to the exterior of the house, restoring the original facia and soffits which had deteriorated underneath aluminum siding.
They also added period-correct shutters, and storm windows, in addition to a complete rebuild of the roof and attic space with the addition of dormers to the south facing side of the building.
The award was given to the previous owners in recognition of the restoration work they commissioned, in addition to Wyminga Building Company of Elora who completed the work, and the current owners Frank Carr and Lisa McRuvie.
For more information, please visit www.centrewellington.ca/heritage.
