CHANGING RUTHVEN LANDSCAPE

The east facade of the barn.

If you drive by Ruthven Park frequently, you might have noticed that there is something missing in the landscape on the east side of Highway #54. Give up? Yes...the barn is missing! It was a large structure, measuring roughly 40 feet by 84 feet, and quite noticeable in the landscape. Erected around 1900, it was completely remade from older structural timber likely from earlier barns. Unfortunately, over time, the barn suffered from the effects of weather and from not being used or maintained. The stone foundation was patched over time and collapsing, the corrugated roof was rusting and many of the side wall timbers were missing. As a result, the building became a liability issue for the Lower Grand River Land Trust Inc. It had deteriorated to the point that it could not be salvaged and even if it could have been saved we could not afford to stabilize it at this time.

The basement milking area of the barn used for milking.

After mulling over the situation and looking at alternatives, the Building Conservation Committee recommended to the Land Trust that the building be demolished. Before this decision was made, permission was given by the Ontario Heritage Foundation (OHF) to remove the building. Although it provided a dramatic focal point from the site line from the Ruthven gate house, the structure was not included in the easement agreement with the OHF. It was recommended that it did not warrant special attention within the scope of work required on other more important buildings on the site. Several contractors were contacted to see if they were interested in salvaging some of the building but due to the safety factor and the minimal amount of salvageable wood, no one was interested. Jim Mattice Co. Limited was selected to tear down the barn, sort through the debris and remove old tires and iron from the site. After the building was torn down, the lightning rods were saved and members of the volunteer Cayuga Firefighters Association, on a very bright but very cold Saturday, burned the wood.

Before the barn was dismantled, ERA Architects Inc. accurately recorded and photographed the building for the archives. The hardware was removed from the building and some of the hinges were used on the conservation of the brick building near the mansion.

The Land Trust would like to extend their gratitude to Rick Smith, Deputy Fire Chief for Emergency Services Division, Haldimand County who coordinated the burn, and to the Cayuga Firefighters Association for carrying out the burn and monitoring the fire. Also thanks to Jim Mattice Co. Ltd. for donating their time and equipment during the Saturday burn. We appreciate all the support.

Marilynn Havelka,
CAO, Ruthven Park