Councillor Betty Disero read the following:

164 Victoria Street, located between Queen Street and Prideaux Street, is an example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture. Defining characteristics of the dwelling include a tall gambrel front gable, curved eaves, and central portico. The dwelling is sited on a spacious lot and an attractive wrought iron fence encloses the property.

Mark and Caroline Polgrabia were present to accept the award

236 King Street
Owner Geoffrey Martin
Built c.1890.

Councillor Jamie King read the following:

236 King Street was a simple cottage with a second empire, mansard roof which was added at a later date. The building features a 3 bay symmetrical façade with three dormer windows on the second storey. The verandah, with its low sloping roof and central pediment features particularly decorative details features particularly decorative details and columns which have been grouped together on either side of the central steps and at the corners of the porch.

Lord Mayor Pat Darte accepted the award on behalf of the owners.

73 Picton Street – St Vincent de Paul Rectory
Owner: St Vincent de Paul Church
Built c. 1890

Councillor Paolo Miele read the following:

73 Picton Street, the St. Vincent de Paul rectory is located towards the western end of the large church property at Picton and Wellington Street. It is a plain two storey building of irregular plan, finished in stucco. The roof has front and side gables. The most noticeable feature is the arcaded verandah which wraps around the building at ground level. The rectory was built in 1920 to replace a single storey 1835 building that was eventually demolished. It has been well cared for and is an important component of the Picton streetscape.

Father Randy Gallant accepted the award.

142 Queen Street – Gate House Restaurant
Owner: Wayne Forest Enterprise Ltd
Built c. 1910

Councillor John Wiens read the following:

142 Queen Street is an imposing turn of the century building on a large corner property. The exterior does not appear to have been greatly altered for the building’s present use as a restaurant and hotel. It is a two-storey structure with central chimney and a hipped roof with two pedimented dormers and a wide overhang. The main feature of the Queen Street façade is the large one-storey verandah with roof supported by groups of tall slim columns. This structure has been glassed-in, except at the western end where it gives access to a side entrance. The Gage Street elevation has a similar but smaller verandah towards the rear with an awning leading from the street to a side entrance. The grounds are well cared for and still have a gracious residential aspect.

Lord Mayor Pat Darte accepted the award in the absence of the owner.

PETER J. STOKES HERITAGE COMMENDATIONS RECIPIENTS

Lord Mayor Darte called upon the members of the Municipal Heritage Committee who will briefly provide a description of each property:

"Locust Grove” 421 Hunter Road (residence) – Crosswind Capital Corporation

MHC member Rob MacKenzie read the following:

This is a historic property that has witnessed many changes. The original dwelling was built by the Ball family, early settlers in the area. The surrounding farmland was twice a battlefield during the War of 1812. Janet Carnochan’s book, “The History of Niagara” contains an anecdote about a military clash in Ball’s field with the ladies looking on from the window. In one of the engagements Mrs. Lawe went and carried off her boy, aged 13, from the field of battle, as he had gone to “take his share in the fight.” More recently, the building served as a dormitory for the old Eden Christian College. Although the building has been through two major fires, the current owners are undertaking major restoration. It was once one of the finest residences in Niagara and now its owners would see that grandeur restored.

Jens Ramputh accepted the award.

1540 Concession 6 Road (residence) – Ken and Sally Enns

MHC member Doug Newman read the following:

Sally grew up in this home and has seen it change and evolve over the years. When she moved back to her childhood home she and Ken worked hard to restore as many of the original elements of the home as possible including the floors, doors, windows and cupboards. Sally even sourced a specific milk powder based paint for the kitchen cupboards. A piece of the older foundation of the home, that is no longer connected to the building has been incorporated into the front patio, providing an aesthetic touch that nods to the history and evolution of the dwelling. Ken and Sally have undertaken renovations that honour the beauty and simplicity of the building, allowing these heritage features to speak for themselves.

Ken and Sally Enns accepted the award.

“Willowbank School of Restoration Arts” 14487 Niagara Parkway, Queenston (Drystone and Post & Beam Blacksmith structure) –Bob Skerker, Director

MHC member Drew Chapman read the following:

The blacksmith structure at Willowbank School of Restoration Arts is a timber frame structure with drystone walls. The building is a work of many hands and minds. Over the last two years, master masons from Canada and the United Kingdom have come together at the annual Willowbank Stone Festival to teach students centuries old drystone walling techniques. Over the course of the academic term students work on various elements of the building from the timber frame construction to installation of windows to slate roofing. While the building will provide a valuable space for stone carving and blacksmithing for future students, the building is worth far more than its material parts as its construction has facilitated an opportunity for students to gain traditional ways of knowing and hands-on experience. In this sense, the building is a cultural landscape in itself and has become a part of the cultural landscape of the Willowbank Estate.

Adam Smith accepted the award.

14358 Niagara River Parkway (residence) – Owners: Dr. David and Marian Reimer
Builder: John Thiffault

MHC member Doug Newman read the following:

The Reimers took an active role in the design for their home alongside their builder John Thiffault, a long time Queenston resident familiar with the character of the community. The property was especially meaningful to Marian who had grown up on this property. The Reimers felt it was especially important to use a colour palette suited to the wooded landscape. They conducted a lot of research on locally sourced stone and wood materials for the building because in the end, they wanted a home that felt like it had always been there. The product of the Reimer’s and John Thiffault’s hard work is a home that fits comfortably into the streetscape as well as the unique naturally vegetated property.

Dr. David and Marian Reimer accepted the award.

1254 Line 8 Road (residence) - Richard Fournier and Joanne Wang

MHC member David Hemmings read the following:

This private residence is modern in design, in a style that is reminiscent of the Prairie style of architecture. The horizontal planes of the dwelling suit the relatively flat Niagara landscape. The use of stone contrasted with the bold red walls of the dwelling create a striking effect. The landscaping of the yard is neat and modest so that attention is not drawn away from the building. The design of this contemporary building is an excellent example of the fact that Niagara-on-the-Lake is not just a Town of uncommonly beautiful historic homes but also of innovative contemporary design.

Richard Fournier and Joanne Wang accepted the award.

Fort George Agora-on-the-Common (four-season multi-use shelter) – Quartek Group

MHC member Councillor John Wiens read the following:

From above ground, the design of the Agora and the materials used echoes the barracks of Fort George. The use of natural materials such as earth and wood help the structure to comfortably fit into the surroundings, adding a contemporary layer that enhances the historic landscape. The building itself is a multi-season space that will allow community members to get into the landscape and learn more about our unique local history. The Agora is an excellent and appropriate addition to the historic landscape of the Commons.

Eric Nelson accepted the award.

McFarland House, 15927 Niagara River Parkway (maintenance of building and working garden)

MHC member David Hemmings read the following:

This building has a long history in Niagara-on-the-Lake and is an invaluable part of our local heritage. Maintenance of the building has been carried out to the standards expected of an old home in this historic Town. Adaptive re-use of this building has allowed it to evolve as necessary, maintaining its value and remaining relevant in a contemporary context. The tea room is a perfect stop for pedestrians and cyclists travelling along the bike path and relaxing in McFarland Park.

Furthermore, the working gardens, carefully tended by hand in much the same way they would have been hundreds of years ago, provide produce for the tea room, maintaining that direct connection between the land and the dwelling.

Rebecca Pascoe, NPC Manager accepted the award.

MUNICIPAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD