Heritage Awards Recipients ring in Heritage Week 2024

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Heritage Week is celebrated annually across Ontario during the third week of February, kicking off on federal Heritage Day, Monday, February 19^th this year. In Centre Wellington, Council and Heritage Centre Wellington celebrated Heritage Week by recognizing local citizens and honouring the efforts of property owners and professionals who have invested in protecting and enhancing heritage in our community for future generations.

Heritage Awards

Heritage Centre Wellington, an Advisory Committee to Township Council, and Mayor Watters presented the following awards on February 13, 2024:

Heritage Property Conservation Award

6550 Gerrie Road | Fred Gordon and Paul Jarsky, Owners

This mid-19^th century 2-storey Georgian style stone dwelling known as “Bachelor Hall” was recently revitalized with a tastefully designed new 2-storey rear addition. The property has long been associated with the Gerrie family, prominent early settlers in the Village of Elora for over 150 years. The Township has started the designation process, at the request of the owners.

Heritage Property Conservation Award

176 Smith Street | Rebecca and Jesse Leslie, Owners

This designated rubblestone dwelling with red brick addition, also known as the “Kraft House” was built in 1865 as a 1 ½ storey dwelling and is an excellent example of a “worker’s cottage”. In 2022, the property owners constructed a second addition with board and batten cladding that is sympathetic and complimentary to the original stone dwelling.

Heritage Property Restoration Award

353 Geddes Street | Julie Galloway, Owner

363 Geddes Street | Katherine and Dave Bradley, Owners

The designated stone Gothic-revival cottage at 353 Geddes Street was constructed in 1880. The listed cut-stone dwelling at 353 Geddes Street is thought to have been constructed in 1859. Both dwellings have been very well maintained. This award is to recognize the efforts of the property owners to restore the extensive stone wall spanning the frontages of both properties using heritage-appropriate restoration methods.

Heritage Property Rehabilitation Award

19 George Street | Gillian and Colin Ellis, Owners

This designated 19th-century building was built by Sem Wissler and served historically as a general store and post office and currently serves as a dwelling. It is constructed of coursed limestone rubble with cut quoins. The current owners recently completed work to rehabilitate the front façade to be more in keeping with the historic façade.

Heritage Property Stewardship Award

123 & 130 Metcalfe Street | Sarah Barber and MacLean Hann, Business Owners

This award recognizes general stewardship and investment in the Township’s cultural heritage resources, including the buildings known as Honeychurch Interiors at 123 Metcalfe Street and The Evelyn (Restaurant) at 130 Metcalfe Street. These historic 19th-century main street buildings have been updated through renovations which help revitalize the downtown core. This award recognizes the owners of these businesses for their excellent work and investment in these heritage resources.

Heritage Infill Award

32 Church Street | Elora Distilling Company; Elora Landholding Corporation

This 2.5-storey red brick commercial building houses the Elora Distilling Company. It was built in 2021 with a design and materials that are compatible with the surrounding historic buildings and streetscape. The building is a successful infill project that respects the historic downtown core.

- 30 -

For more information:

Hannah Barclay

Digital Media Associate

Township of Centre Wellington | 1 MacDonald Square, Elora, ON N0B 1S0

519.846.9691 x221