Conservation work underway at historic sites in Perth

PERTH, ON, Aug. 5 /CNW/ - The Ontario Heritage Trust is undertaking conservation and repair work at McMartin House and Inge-Va in Perth. This work will help to ensure the long-term protection and preservation of these important historic sites, both owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and operated by the Town of Perth.

• McMartin House is an 1830 Federal style building originally constructed as a residence for one of the first lawyers in Perth. Now a National Historic Site, it is leased by the Town of Perth and used as a community centre. The conservation work and capital repairs planned at the site include: repair of the foundation wall, re- pointing of the historic masonry, replacement of the pressed metal shingle roofing on the cupola, and repair and restoration of other exterior elements.
• Built in 1824, Inge-Va is the quintessential example of an eastern Ontario stone cottage. Today, the house contains a collection of furnishings and cultural artifacts. It is leased by the Town of Perth and operated as a community museum with a residential tenancy on the second floor. The conservation work and capital repairs planned at the site include: replacement of the garage roof, replacement of gutters and downspouts, foundation repairs, re-pointing of above- grade stone walls and chimneys, as well as repainting of windows, porches and other wood elements.

"We are delighted to proceed with further conservation work at McMartin House and Inge-Va," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "These sites are not only significant to Perth, they are also important to the history of Ontario."

The Ontario Heritage Trust received financial assistance for these projects from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, announced earlier this year. The work will be completed by March 31, 2011.

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

Quick facts:

• The Ontario Heritage Trust owns 25 built heritage sites and over 160 natural heritage properties across the province.
• In addition to the projects at McMartin House and Inge-Va, the Ontario Heritage Trust received infrastructure stimulus funding to support conservation and repair work at Hudson's Bay Staff House in Moose Factory, Mather-Walls House in Kenora and Sheppard's Bush Residence in Aurora.

Learn more:

• For more information on the Ontario Heritage Trust, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

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For further information:

Catrina Colme
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]