Heritage

Recent Posts

Local museums demonstrate bold vision for preserving past for the future

By: |

By Robert Washburn

In a time when many museums struggle to survive, two projects in West Northumberland County share a bold vision, looking to preserve the past, as well as create an opportunity for the future. The Sifton-Cook Heritage Centre will hold its official opening this weekend launching an important place for viewing the rich and diverse history of Cobourg. At the same time, efforts are underway to raise money for the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum in Port Hope in an effort to turn it into a national attraction and create a home for the many artifacts it has collected. The heritage centre in Cobourg is the fruition of more than a decade of work and fundraising by a dedicated group of citizens, who originally wanted to save a limestone building located at Orr and Durham streets in the downtown. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Columns, Community, Heritage

Sparks fly as council splits over heritage windows

By: |

By Robert Washburn

The replacement of windows to a downtown building turned into a major melee between two groups on council who appear to hold opposing views on heritage Monday night. Deputy Reeve Stan Frost spearheaded the revolt when an application to replace windows at 15-19 King Street East was rejected. Councillors Miriam Mutton and John Henderson tried to defend a recommendation from the Cobourg Heritage Committee to deny the replacement of street front windows with vinyl, but allow them at the rear of the buildings. The committee wants Chalovich to repair the windows. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Heritage

Live coverage of Cobourg Heritage Committee Wednesday night

By: |

A special presentation by Joe and Joan Sherman are a highlight of the Heritage Committee meeting Wednesday June 15, 2011 starting at 7 p.m. Former Cobourg Mayor Joan Chalovich has returned with a second request to fix windows on one of her King Street properties. As well, a property owner of Division Street has written a letter defending renovations he completed without a heritage permit. Join our live coverage by clicking here or via Twitter @rwash Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Heritage

TV show demonstrated how Saving Places is entertaining and significant

By: |

Heritage preservation should be more fun than serious in the public’s eyes, said a panelist at the Ontario Heritage Conference in Victoria Hall Friday. Andrea Nemtin, produce of the television show Saving Places, said her program, which appeared on the History Channel in 2010, was aimed at making heritage protection more accessible, entertaining, but educational. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: News, Heritage

Battle over heritage preservation far from over

By: |

By Robert Washburn

A gathering of heritage activist, bureaucrats and politicians for the Ontario Heritage Conference in Cobourg this weekend marks an opportunity to assess and strategize around the way municipalities, the province and the federal government is protecting our past for the future. West Northumberland presents a textbook of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, but also the challenges for the future. The recent debate over the prospect of 139 Bagot Street is a good example. Heritage property owner Grant Watson applied for a demolition permit, but the town denied him, waiting for an engineering report. (more…) Continue Reading →

Filed under: Columns, Featured, Heritage