Newsletter
In our SPRING 2009 issue you'll find…
-> Minister on Hand to Celebrate Wainwright Hotel Designation
-> Restorations Completed at the John Walter Museum
-> The New Faces of AHRF
-> Grande Prairie Central Park School Update
Minister on Hand to Celebrate Wainwright Hotel Designation
Over fifty guests were on hand on Friday, February 6 at an event marking the designation of the Wainwright Hotel as a Provincial Historic Resource by Minister Blackett and MLA Doug Griffiths.
On presenting the designation plaque to co-owner Susan Jang, Minister Blackett cited the building’s architecture and its historical significance, stating "The Hotel's notable use of Spanish Colonial Revival design, combined with its role in the development of Wainwright as a rural hub merit its designation. It is essential that we preserve these historic buildings so that younger generations can appreciate our heritage."
Wainwright Mayor Norm Coleman, members of Town Council, along with local culture and heritage enthusiasts and Historic Places Stewardship staff were on hand to celebrate the designation.
The Hotel is currently privately-owned by Susan Jang and Ed Ford, who worked together with Wainwright Main Street Coordinator Gord Snyder on the application for designation. For Ed and Susan, the event marks a phase of new development for the landmark hotel, which was built in 1929. They have also engaged a study to examine the potential the Hotel for redevelopment as affordable housing and community space while being dedicated to maintaining the character-defining elements that contribute to its historic status.
The Wainwright Hotel is the first site designated as a Provincial Historic Resource in the Town and acts the centerpiece of Wainwright’s Main Street Program. The Town has also recently designated four Municipal Historic Resources, including the Old Town Hall and the Petroleum Park Pump Jack.
Since joining the Alberta Main Street Program in April 2001, Wainwright conducted a Heritage Survey and subsequently a Heritage Management Plan, which have provided a strong foundation to the Town's heritage conservation activities.
The Wainwright Hotel was one of 14 sites designated as PHRs in 2008-2009 and is among 319 Provincial Historic Resources currently listed on the Alberta Register of Historic Places.
Restorations Completed at the John Walter Museum
It was 30 below on March 10, but it wasn't cold enough to keep Tom Ward, Head of Heritage Conservation Advisory Services, from conducting a final site inspection on the John Walter Museum. Accompanied by City of Edmonton staff and the contractor, Paul Murray, the bracing cold actually provided Tom a good opportunity to examine the work on these last remains of Edmonton’s Walterdale district.
The two log houses, dating from 1875 and 1884, have had an active winter. Approximately 25% of the logs were replaced as well as, where necessary, the chinking (the mortar fill that seals the logs) on the exteriors and interiors. It is exacting work, completed by hand with log jacks and broad axes over two months in the middle of winter.
This is one of several rehabilitation projects underway across Alberta in conjunction with the staff of Heritage Conservation Advisory Services. Among sites scheduled for work in the current year are Edmonton's Connaught Armoury, the Lac La Biche Mission, the Grier Block in Fort Macleod and Calgary's Memorial Park.
Tom has had several meetings with the City and contractor throughout the rehabilitation to ensure it is in keeping with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. The use of the Standards and Guidelines allows Alberta to maintain its built heritage according to international standards through a philosophy of minimal intervention that puts an emphasis on preserving authenticity.
As part of Alberta's on-going commitment to heritage management, projects can be pre-certified and reviewed throughout the intervention process. This overview process maintains the specific heritage values of each site and makes them eligible to apply for matching funding through the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation.
For a fascinating in progress look at the John Walter Museum restoration, see these photos.
The New Faces of AHRF
We are pleased to announce that Carina Naranjilla, already a familiar name to many as the assistant to recently retired Monika McNabb, has accepted the position of Grant Program Coordinator for the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation.
Carina applied for the vacant position with a clear insight of the operations of the Foundation and its role in fostering heritage conservation. In addition to her time with Monika, Carina has worked in other government departments which give her a broad perspective of government operations. These experiences, combined with her Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and strong professional relationships with Historic Places Stewardship staff, have well-prepared Carina for the position.
To ensure that Carina can focus on serving the needs of the Foundation and its clients, we are also delighted to announce that seasoned administrator Valerie Clark, has accepted the position of Grant Program Assistant.
Val has been an integral part of the Historic Resources Management Branch in her various administrative capacities over the years, including work with the Deputy Ministers Office her extensive understanding of government processes and partner programs.
The combined skills of Carina and Val allow a seamless and effective continuation of the complex suite of services provided to AHRF's clients and board. With the passing of the February 1 application deadline of the Heritage Preservation Partnership Program, plans are already well underway for the upcoming board meeting.
If you have a question regarding AHRF or how its programs can help support your community’s heritage initiatives, please contact either Carina or Val directly.
Grande Prairie Central Park School Update
Following intense consultation with the province and a review of subsequent engineering reports, the city of Grande Prairie has decided to pursue restoration of the Provincial Historic Resource.
As reported in the previous issue of Retroactive, the south wing of the school had collapsed in March 2007 due to an overload of snow and ice. The building, which for the past several years has been the location of the Grande Prairie Art Gallery, has been dormant since the collapse and its future was unclear. However, at the urging of Minister Blackett, City officials have decided that restoration is the most economical and practical solution.
Gary Chen, the Heritage Conservation Adviser for the northern region, will work with the City to select a consultant for the restoration Design which is anticipated to begin soon.
If you have questions, comments or something that you would like to see included in a future issue of RETROactive, please contact:
Richard Horne, Communications Coordinator
Historic Places Stewardship
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
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