By Tara Lindemann
The Haldimand Press
CAYUGA—For passersby, Ruthven’s gatehouse has always been a curious glimpse along Highway 54. For staff, it’s been a cramped and awkward space to work in – but no more, thanks to a $148,400 grant from the Trillium Foundation. Board members and local dignitaries celebrated the grant and renovations on August 23, 2023 in the coach house before a tour of the redesign.
David Thompson, who served in the Legislative Assembly for the province of Canada representing Haldimand 1841 to 1851, and his family settled with style at what is now Ruthven Park National Historic Site. It was inhabited by five generations before disuse led to the dilapidated Greek Revival ruins being only mysteriously glimpsed through trees from Highway 54 or from the Grand River.
The gatehouse had been rented out, with the last resident becoming one of the founders of what is now called Ruthven Park National Historic Site Inc. in 1995. Efforts to restore the grounds and work on conservation projects began on the 598-hectare property from that time.
But the pandemic showed staff that the circa 1867 gatehouse did not have enough space to separate them and something had to be done.
“They were working in a very confined space and we didn’t have funds to build any more space,” said Board President Ron Gowland. “(The) grant not only allowed us to … provide much needed office space for administration to oversee the management of the significant cultural and natural landscape that we have on this (598 hectares) property, but also conserve an important heritage structure. The renovated space also provides a setting for visitors to discover the diverse natural environment which we have been afforded,” including provincially significant wetlands and many species at risk in the Carolinian slough forest.
Work needed included the removal of a lean-to that had been a 1950s addition, and removal of paint on exterior brickwork.
Site administrator, Brittany Van Dalen, said they really worked to get the aesthetics correct as well, right down to the new paint.
“It looks bigger on the inside now, but it’s actually a tiny bit smaller,” she said. “It’s much more versatile; we can do a great deal more with the space.”
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady attended the event, acknowledging how difficult it is to fill out the grant application and praising the board’s efforts.
“It means that the Trillium Foundation recognizes what all of you as volunteers and supporters – supporters of our communities – are doing, and they’re investing in our little towns and in places like this,” she said to the small crowd of board members and reporters, thanking the Trillium Foundation for the grant. “And they’re recognizing that hard work that folks like you guys do.”
“Thank you for (applying), because it allows you guys to continue doing the good work that you do and keeping things alive for those that are near and far,” she said to the Ruthven board and staff. “Keep filling in those applications so that you can keep all the good projects going out here at Ruthven, and if I can ever be of any assistance in any way, always put me to work.”
