Where's Wilton?

 On our way back from a visit with nice folks near Harrowsmith the other day, we were enticed by the profile of this barn down a distant side-road, the back way into the village of Wilton. Such a tall barn, such a unique barn colour - great roof lantern with windows - terrific view, tricky getting up there. The red hay barn is slumping a bit, but has character, with what looks like an equally tired old-style conveyer parked outside.

Page wire fence (albeit attached to iron stakes) completes the bucolic scene. Now, just a bit of green and work can begin.

The house on the other side of a row of tall spruces was likely the original farmhouse, a lovely stone with ashlar corners.

I like the touch of subdued barn-red on window, door, roof and verandah trims, like the concession to fancy of a plain farm wife on her way to a community supper. The French windows along the simple verandah, and the unusual tall narrow windows in the tiny matching gables (paired on the side elevation) make it very appealing.

But what I love most is the setting, and the stone. Oh the stone. The countryside round about is graced with numerous old limestone quarries. The earth's cross-section reveals rich deposits of creamy grey fine-grained limestone that make the mouth water. They look soft, and malleable, like giant marshmallows. Eighteen to twenty-four inches deep (tall?) would be my guess, and fractured along such regular vertical lines that masons must have been able to "pull them off the shelf" and build with minimal trimming and shaping. Home Depot, you didn't invent building supply depots.

what do birds see?

"Picton, Ont. taken from an aeroplane"

A little known fact about Owen Sound native and World War I flying ace Billy Bishop (because after all with a record of 72 "victories" making him the top Canadian ace of that conflict, what more would you need to know?), is his somewhat less distinguished post-war career.

Seeking to bank his skills in a marketable direction, he established (with a fellow ace William Barker) a passenger airline and aerial photography service. This was 1919, folks, so I doubt they offered business class and in-flight movies.

Little is known of the enterprise, but legal and financial problems and a bad crash must have dampened enthusiasm as the company (and the partnership) were short-lived.

Billy Bishop might be surprised to learn what a legacy these photos are. They give us a glimpse (however tiny) of towns and cities across the province, townscapes now lost to expansion and modernization. Although few would express regret at the loss of the harbour-side coal-yards in the photo at top, the image is a window into a forgotten era. Imagine the life of a child growing up at the bottom of Picton's town hill, in an industrial slum. Imagine the life of a shipping magnate (oh yes, Picton had them) living discretely removed from the grime.

Just fly over these tiny townscapes (with the aid of Blogger's lightbox functionality). They're three dimensional, and so detailed, you can stroll down Main Street or along leafy sidestreets and into houses which stand today, explore kitchen gardens and small farms within town limits (which don't).

(Incidentally, I've just read that Billy Bishop had an important role in establishing and promoting the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which I have been researching for my other blog. Link to follow)

The postcards are copyright Bishop Barker Co. Ltd.Toronto, 1919, and are in the collection of my generous brother, Eric Pierce.

polar fleece lined kayaks recommended

the old mill at Queensborough

Queensborough, Ontario has quite the reputation - for hospitality mixed with great whitewater kayaking - even on what promises to be a cool damp April weekend.The village participates enthusiastically in the Marmora and area Canoe and Kayak Festival (M.A.C.Fest), to be held this year on April 6 and 7th. Folks open their Black River-side properties to villagers and locals who paddle the river in its spring enthusiasm. And if that's not enough, once you arrive in the village (making a grand entrance over the dam pictured at left), the villagers offer yummy food, including their famous home-made pies.

the millpond - will look more inviting than this April 6/7

Here's a link to some video of kayakers arriving at the millpond last year. They look hungry don't they?

the old Thompson place (1845)

For more information, community boosters Elaine and Lud Kapusta welcome your calls at 613-473-1458. And while you're in the village, have a look at their superb Georgian/Neo-classical house, overlooking the millpond.

Kin

Gananoque Town Hall (McDonald house, c.1832)

Dave Bull of the Frontenac Heritage Foundation recently sent a photo of the Gananoque Town Hall. He commented on the resemblance of this building he knows well to the photo of the Picton structure which I included with some house portraits in  my most recent post .

So neat, thought I'd share it.

The Gananoque Town Hall was built about 1832 for John McDonald a wealthy local merchant, postmaster, landowner, and later member of the Legislative Council of Canada. The wonderful building in its impressive park near the river was deeded to the town in 1911.

Washburn House, Picton (c.1835)

The building to the right, in Picton, is the c.1835 home of the prominent Washburn family. Its parapet gable end walls ending in massive chimneys so closely resemble the McDonald house as to momentarily confuse even the most astute observer of heritage architecture.

Why the resemblance? When you think about it, how many architectural elements did they have to work with, really? (No Queen Anne variety or Second Empire pomposity to select from yet).

Both display the standard five-bay front of the Georgian tradition. Parapet end walls were designed to prevent fires spreading in urban areas...granted, most effective where buildings abutted each other.

The details of each building distinguish between them. Each draws on different architectural vocabulary for the finishing touches. The Gananoque home displays the refinements of neo-classical styling - more generous fenestration including an elegant Venetian window above the central doorcase, an elegant elliptical fanlight above the front door, a general lightness of touch which distinguishes it from its Georgian roots.

The Washburn house shows Greek Revival influence in the modillion-trimmed cornice and porch which are decorated in the Greek key design (not visible in these photos, unfortunately).

Both houses have crisp splayed stone lintels, and are built from early soft clay brick - one wonders how far afield from the building site those were formed and baked. I love the stone corbels supporting the parapet wall - a distinctive old house feature becoming quite  rare.

(Thanks to the Ontario Heritage plaque in Gananoque, and The Settler's Dream for the details.)

Heritage Survey

What a treasure we have in our carefully preserved built heritage.

For some time, I have been wanting to post a 'photo album' of some favourite places - beauty and history and family saga contained in homes in Prince Edward County, Belleville, Kingston. I could have selected a hundred more that bring me the same joy.

Today, a reason much more important than self-indulgence prompts me to share some photos.
















Today I heard from Dave Bull at Frontenac Heritage Foundation about an important survey being conducted by graduate students at the Heritage Conservation Program - and aren't we glad to hear news of this program? - at Carleton University (one of my alma mater)

 The students are collecting information (via an anonymous online survey) from owners of heritage properties about insurance coverage trends. We all know that insurance issues can be an impediment to decision-making around heritage designation. The findings from this survey may yield research that provides clarity and reassurance around the matter.








Here's a link to the survey.

And here's a link to the wonderful Frontenac Heritage Foundation website. There's a link to the survey from their site.

Enjoy these lovely homes - and your own. And don't forget to spread the word about the survey!

I will come back later and identify these beautiful buildings. Perhaps you know many of them already - or own one? And if you do, thank you for letting me take your photo on my travels.

Old home week

picturesque chez Kincaid

a community hall for a real community

Like a hearty wave from a neighbour on the highway (because in the country one does not pass another human, known or unknown, without acknowledging her presence, how rude would that be?) I read my friend Katherine's blogpost tonight about the saving grace of small communities, especially those with whom one had early acquaintance.

By way of returning the wave, here are some views of the village to calm the city heart, and make looking forward to the weekend that little bit sweeter.

I only wish that the photos, like the village, looked a bit more like spring. A bit of forsythia, would it be too much to ask?

neighbourly

Kayaks? Surely not.

Happy almost weekend at the Manse, folks - and everywhere, everyone.

Light on Dark Corners

Much is being written about the Federal Government's abandonment of its lighthouses.
A visit to Point Traverse lighthouse today underlined for me just how perilous their situation is.
As perilous as this stretch of Lake Ontario between False Ducks, Main Ducks and Timber Island once was.

Timber Island off Point Traverse

It's difficult to believe that anyone cares. Won't be long before the lighthouse is deemed a hazard, and the litigious among us will see demolition as the only sensible recourse. Won't know what we've lost til it's gone.