Heritage home rolls to its new lot in life
- CA BWGPL PH26719
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Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
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Description : At just half a kilometre, it wasn't much of a trip. But for a very old homestead, it was an incredible journey. George Elliot House, built in 1861 on then endless acres of farmland north of Toronto, was tugged slowly buy surely to a new location yesterday. It is to be restored and renovated into semi-detached dwellings by Habitat For Humanity volunteers, then turned over to two families who will put in at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" labour to secure ownership. The 360-tonne gothic-style house had become surrounded by new homes in northeast Brampton. The builder Metrus offered it for free if Habitat For Humanity agreed to do the move to a double lot up Tobram Rd. that Metrus was donating. After weeks of preparation, the exquisitely quoined brick farmhouse was lifted yesterday onto a huge platform of steel I-beams atop mammoth rubber wheels. By mid-afternoon, the house had rumbled into place after a three-hour trip. Hundreds of Habitat volunteers were joined by local politicians and dignitaries, including Toronto Argonauts head coach Mike "Pinball" Clemons. Clemons said Habitat's style of volunteerism brings the community together. "The best kind of giving is simply elbow grease," he said.