CORRECTION: A previous version of the story gave the impression that the demolition did not go through the municipal heritage committee. In fact, the committee reviewed the demolition and salvage plan during its Aug. 6 meeting.
Crews are dismantling what’s left of the historic Glencairn Hall, with much of what survived April’s fire torn down as of Monday.
The Lake Report visited the site on the Niagara River Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake last Wednesday and saw the remaining chimneys and other parts of the building still standing.
A return trip on Friday showed significant progress on the demolition, with much of the building, including the chimneys, taken down.
By Monday, most of the surviving above-ground structure was torn down.
An excavator was at the site all three days to clear rubble.
Brian Marshall, a member of the municipal heritage committee, confirmed that efforts to save parts of the 213-year-old building took place last week.
“On Tuesday and Wednesday (I attended on Wednesday), a number of volunteers helped salvage items,” he said via email.
“After sorting, over 1,000 bricks were stacked for reclamation, along with several other items, including a door, millwork and a chandelier.”
“Finally, the Doric columns, which were assessed to have restoration value, were lifted off the building and are awaiting transport by the town to an off-site location.”
Marah Minor, the town’s communications co-ordinator, also confirmed that salvage efforts are underway.
“Town staff, along with volunteers from both the municipal heritage committee and Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, have been on site multiple times to salvage materials from the site that can be later reused for commemoration,” she said via email.
“The salvaged materials will be moved to a secure location for temporary storage while the town works to prepare a commemoration plan,” she added.
Once the town finalizes concepts and designs for the commemoration plan, they will be publicly shared, she said.
Coun. Gary Burroughs, also a member of the heritage committee, expressed concerns about the way the demolition was done.
“I don’t know exactly when it started, but I’d like to ask the town why the demolition didn’t go through the heritage committee,” he said.
The town of NOTL did not say when the demolition began.
Council voted to demolish the remains of Glencairn Hall during its July 22 meeting. The next full council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, with a planning committee session beforehand.
The demolition follows reports of a plan to merge the Glencairn Hall’s lands with a property next door, owned by developer Benny Marotta, home to the Larkin-Dimitrieff property, according to the town’s heritage register.
The town’s committee of adjustment is going to consider this proposal at its upcoming meeting on Thursday.
Glencairn Hall, a historic residence dating back to 1832, was destroyed in a fire on April 16. Police are investigating the fire as an act of arson.
