An Echo of the Past
In May the House again saw uniformed troops practising drills and setting up encampments on the parade ground. Not only the Fencibles dark green uniforms with black facings were evident though. Jim Mullin invited other re-enactors to join them so they could prepare together for their busy season.
Many of you have met Jim Mullin at our Gala Dinners. So deep is his respect for Alexander Macdonell that he and his modern-day Fencibles, call the Bishop’s House of Glengarry their “Holy Grail”. One of his colleagues had even driven all the way from Nova Scotia to attend. Unfortunately, they all had to miss the tour of Macdonell’s rooms on Sunday because they had to disband early to avoid the weather event that later hit Ottawa so hard.
Breaking News: Accessibility is much Closer!
On November 9 MPP Nolan Quinn called to inform us that we have been awarded a $73,000 Trillium grant for a natural stone-and-gravel ramp covered with smooth interlocking paver stones, as well as the landscaping required for it.
Andy Scherer Gardening and Landscaping Limited will be undertaking this project in 2023, after we bring an adjacent basement entrance up to code, build a terrace at floor height across the back of the 1808 rooms, and widen the doorway.
The Wall is Now Complete
In June we hosted not-for-profit Drystone Canada members for their final course in Glengarry. They, in turn, supported local heritage stonemason Scott Young as he instructed students on the techniques required to build/restore a wall without mortar. This project always presented a distinct challenge: in 1826 Alexander Chisolm of Strathglass, Scotland, designed a complex wall, one that both retained a hillside and curved round a circle. In this photo the anchor stone was not yet in place (Scott could install it only in September). Note the lean-in angle of the wall and the varied stone sizes needed to create a lasting structure.
Photo submitted by Lily Lanken
Getting Ready for Company
This past year we concentrated on the heart of the House, the first floor of Macdonell’s home (800 sq. ft). This space now has new wiring, fresh plaster and paint, conserved millwork and flooring, and four restored fireplaces. Aesthetically, it helped that we had already improved the entrance with its welcoming veranda and stately door, and then allowed light into the back rooms later by removing the north additions.
Help us Make this lovely House Accessible to All
To repeat, before Andy Scherer’s team can build our beautiful stone ramp next year, Glengarry Fencibles Trust has work to do. We must have permit/structural drawings completed, a terrace built, a basement entry updated, and the above doorway widened. Only when all these steps are complete will the House have the accessibility people need and deserve. We have raised $40,000 so far for this preparatory work. Please send what you can.
Some of our Invaluable Volunteers
Marc Lantier & Rick Neilson spent days this past winter removing plywood, fragile mill work, and hundreds of nails. Here, they had just found the old maple flooring.
Dick Keeler took over our two acres of lawn care last year. The property has never looked so good!
Mary Regan (above) bought about sixty geraniums for the circle garden in 2016, just after we took possession. Since then, she has wintered the survivors every year in her greenhouse and basement (see their stunning effect below left).
Become a Member
Glengarry Fencibles Trust is a membership-based heritage charity, open to all who are interested in the protection and promotion of St. Raphael’s history.
