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Heritage Committee member 'gratified' with council's decision to designate farmhouse

Council originally declined to designate Gummerson-Thorpe House but, to many's surprise, opted to do so earlier this week

BWG Heritage Committee member Ian Cooper, who had tendered his resignation in June over council's lack of action after being asked to designate Bond Head’s Gummerson-Thorpe House, said he is overjoyed with the town’s decision this week to designate the structure.

As a result, he has decided to stay on the committee.

“I was hopeful it would still work out,” Cooper said. “It’s great that they’re (council) finally moving forward.”

He was also surprised and pleased that the property's owner, DG Group, didn’t object to the designation, after having the chance to speak with council and the Heritage Committee.

“I just thought, there’s so many families looking for homes here (Bond Head), that would lease or rent or look after it, that there’s got to be a better solution than ripping it down,” said Cooper, who noted that the Heritage Committee’s role isn’t just preserving historical buildings.

Their role is also about education and research, he noted.

“We try to do as much research as possible,” he said, explaining they rely on the library archives and other sources.

“Not every house is worthy of saving,” Cooper said, but “it’s gratifying to have something saved rather than demolished” especially since the Gummerson-Thorpe house was built in the 1850-1860s.

There are few buildings left in Bradford West Gwillimbury that have survived from that era.  

“It’s such a high degree of craftsmanship, a really well-made house,” he added. 

Coun. Ron Orr, who is the chairman of the BWG Heritage Committee, said he is happy that Cooper is continuing to be a member of the committee.

“Ian is a tireless advocate for heritage preservation and has a great knowledge of heritage styles,” he said.

Bond Head, one of the oldest hamlets in Simcoe County, has been a flashpoint for concerns over heritage preservation.

There have been other recommendations from the Heritage Committee for heritage designation – for example, the Quaint House on County Road 88 – that have not been adopted by town council.

Council has generally taken the view that they prefer to work with the owners.

As Bond Head continues to grow, many residents are concerned about historical architectural structures being torn down.

In this case, said Cooper, “It’s good that council and the developer showed the town that we are willing to designate, we are willing to protect the houses and that designation is not necessarily a negative thing.”

As Bond Head builds subdivisions, he hopes the old homes still standing will be incorporated into the new neighbourhoods.

“It’s pretty cool when you see that,” he said.


Natasha Philpott

About the Author: Natasha Philpott

Natasha is the Editor for BradfordToday and InnisfilToday. She graduated from the Media Studies program at The University of Guelph-Humber. She lives in Bradford with her husband, two boys and two cats.
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