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Working to Preserve Convent's History

Bradford - A lot of people are interested in seeing the empty building known as the old convent on Barrie Street saved, says one Bradford resident who is determined to do his part.

Jim Culbert, known to those who have had him repair or finish furniture as The Furniture Doctor, has made the fate of the convent a personal concern.

His interest in the convent has resulted in several newspaper articles citing him as someone who knows a lot about the building's past, and every time one is published he gets calls of support from others, he says.

If, as is likely, a committee is struck to determine how the convent will be converted into a recreation complex, (as is recommended in the master recreation plan) Mr. Culbert says he wants to be on the committee.

"The entrance hall is large enough for a reception area," he said, in an interview at his Bradford home. "And the games room, living room and dining room could all be used without changing them."

Mr. Culbert's interest in the building isn't just as an observer. He has toured the building since it was left empty a few years ago when it was sold to the town by Fred Picavet.

The video tape he made of the building has been joined with a film of the April 1986 council meeting where council decided to end a long simmering court battle with Mr. Picavet and bought the convent for $125,000.

(The purchase was agreed to in conjunction with signing a subdivision approval for Mr. Picavet, a situation that Reeve Sandy Hudson said, "stinks," but it was approved on a vote of 4-2; Deputy-reeve Bill Dykie also voted against; councillor Gary Lamb was absent.)

Now, also on that tape, is last week's master recreation plan meeting. The subject of the convent was not discussed at the meeting, but the recommendations of the report include a suggestion that the convent be partly renovated and turned into a recreation complex.

Mr. Culbert said he plans to edit and complete the tape when the convent reaches its next evolution. Then, he will give one copy to the library, and one to the town, he said, in the hopes that the building's history can stay alive.

He is also working on a booklet on the convent's history, which now includes news clippings, letters and photographs.

He has tried to contact some of the former residents or their families, and has been somewhat successful. Although he could not get any information from the Ursuline Nuns who once resided in the building, he did contact the grandson of Samuel Lukes, owner of the building from 1910 to 1929, when it went to his son Gilbert.

Tom Lukes wrote from Wales about his memories as a young adult.

Mr. Culbert said he also received a phone call from the grandson of missionary Egerton Ryerson Young, who owned it from 1903 to 1910.

"He was quite indignant," Mr. Culbert said, about a news article that referred to the building as a grand old house, and home to the wealthy and prominent.

"His grandfather was not a rich person," Mr. Culbert said.

Although he objected to the view of the building as a mansion, he said he wanted to see it preserved, and told Mr. Culbert he would donate some money if fundraising were done.

Mr. Culbert said once he finishes his history of the convent, he would like to see it, or some other indication of the buildings history, in the entranceway of the building when it is reopened.

Chronology

(As compiled, in part, by Jim Culbert)

Aug. 2, 1871 - John MacLean Stevenson bought three acres of land on the east of Barrie Street, between Letitia and Moore Streets, from John and Eliza Armstrong, for $1,200.

June 29, 1876 - Mr. Stevenson, reeve from 1871-1877, borrowed $3,957.50 to start construction on plans he brought back from Scotland, for a castle with an Italianate flavor.

April 10, 1877 - the house was sold to Robert Bingham for $5,500. The family lived there for 16 years, until Robert's death. April 20, 1893 - Caroline Bingham sold the home to James and Emily Boddy for $2,000, the price lowered by the depression. James Boddy, Reeve from 1894-96, lived in "Fairview," until November 24, 1903, when it was sold under power of sale for $1,900 to Charlotte Jeffs, and quickly resold for $2,300 to Rev. Egerton Ryerson Young.

"Algonquin Lodge" was home to the world-famed reverend until his death in 1910.

April 10, 1910 - sold to Samuel Lukes by Rev. Young's widow Libbie Bingham, for $3,600.

Renovations including new verandahs, were made to 'Luxalean."

Feb. 26, 1929 Samuel's son Gilbert took over the home on his father's death and made alterations to the front and side, including additions of the sunroom. The outside was stuccoed for warmth.

June 1945, Nov. 1947, July 1949 - three parcels of land were severed from the property and sold to neighbours.

Oct. 26, 1949 - sold to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto for $19,000, and again sold Dec. 10, 1950 to the Ursulina Order of the Diocese of London, a group of teaching nuns, for $14,000, which excluding the land to the south, where St. Mary's Catholic School was built.

July 4, 1969 - sold to John and Maria Moniz for $28,000. It was renovated to an apartment building (contrary to zoning bylaws).

Feb. 10, 1981 - The deed was acquired by Fred and Betty Lou Picavet, who began removing the stucco and interior plaster, with plans to renovate and live in the home.

Feb. 26, 1981 - Bradford Council brought a stop to work order and a certificate of Lis Pendents, and the ownership of the building went before the courts.

The building lay empty, and began deteriorating as each side said they were the rightful owners.

April 16, 1986 - Bradford Council signed an agreement to purchase the building for $125,000 from the Picavets.

The building has been boarded up since then, awaiting a decision on its fate. The master recreation plan, released in draft form March 10, 1987, suggests it be partially demolished, partially renovated to form part of a new recreation and leisure complex on the site.

Newspaper article dated 1889 from the South Simcoe News, describing the disappearance and drowning death of William Sutherland, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Sutherland.

The May Tea and Bake Sale was the last social event to be held in the Loyal True Blue Hall by Senior Citizens of the Friendship Club. Club meetings and events have been held at the hall for 24 years. In the future events will be held at the new Senior Citizens' Centre on Blake Street. Above from left are: Miss Laura Baynes, David McClymont, who officially opened the afternoon event; Mrs. Allan Couchman, president and convener of the tea, and Miss S. C. Robertson who performs the tea honors.

“Soldiers on the March
On Tuesday the first detachment of soldiers en route to Toronto arrived in Cookstown. About half-past two the citizens lined the streets to welcome the boys. At three o’clock, amidst great cheering, led be a band of pipers, the 48th Highlanders, after a bloodless skirmish with the Mounted Rifles of Hamilton, marched into town and encamped at the camp prepared for them by the C.A.S.C. on the Fair grounds. The ladies of Cookstown have undertaken to supply pies for the soldiers. On Tuesday everyone nobly responded, over one hundred and fifty pies were obtained.”

"Military Concert
A grand military concert was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. This concert far surpassed anything Cookstown had seen before. The hall was crowded with a very enthusiastic audience, many of whom had to stand. Rev. W. Creswick presided, and Lieut. White at the piano. Some of the leading items on the programme were given by Pte. MacDonald, who imitated a brass band in his throat. Pte. Gant, slack wire artist, won great applause, and Pte. Pass, comedian, was very much enjoyed also. After the concert supper was given to the entertainers."

Daring Kathleen Westlake negotiated the soap-box course twice without mishap to take first place in the seven to ten year class. Her car, "Little Lulu", also took top honors for the best looking entry.

"Professor W.M. Drummond and Professor Norman High, of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, were guest speakers at the general meeting of the Simcoe County Library Co-Operative, held in Barrie on October 7th. Stressing the fact that reading brings inspiration, information, and a broadening of our appreciation of life, as well as, in some cases, more economic security, the speakers discussed the particular importance of reading in a democracy." ...

Photograph of John William "Jack" Parks (1884-1983) with his sister Sarah Ann Margaret Parks (1886-1893) and mother Margaret Parks (nee Lee) (1851-1919).

Margaret was the daughter of Thomas Lee (1794-1868) and Ann Graham (abt. 1825-1903).

"Rosemary Fennell, daughter of John and Marietta Fennell, Bradford, received her diploma in nursing from Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology, Royal Victoria Hospital Campus, Barrie. Miss Fennell has accepted a position at Blind River General Hospital.

CN Rail Passenger Service card noting the schedule of trains and rates between Toronto and Barrie. One side of the card is in French and the other is in English

"A Headquarters Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, covering the southern part of No. 7 (Barrie) District, is to be located in Bradford, according to information given The Witness this week.
The new local police set-up is expected to go into effect January 1st, or as soon as convenient living quarters can be secured. The detachment will consist of five men, all of whom will reside in and work from Bradford.
The personnel of the detachment will comprise Provincial Constable D. Adair, now of Gravenhurst, Provincial Constables C. Kreuger and R. Murphy, now of Bond Head; Provincial Constable George Herries and Provincial Constable H. Sparling, both at present located here.
The town will continue to be policed by Provincial Constables Reg. Wilson and E. Morrison, who have been in charge here of late."