The NCC is undertaking the rehabilitation of sections of wall that have collapsed at Maplelawn and Gardens National Historic Site of Canada.

The work is ongoing, and should be completed in 2024.

Impact of work

Maplelawn Garden is partially accessible to the public during construction work in 2023.

About the project  

The NCC has repaired the garden masonry walls on an ongoing basis. However, deterioration has progressed, and the walls are currently in poor condition. A first section of the wall collapsed several years ago, and another section collapsed in 2021. The remaining sections are also at risk. The NCC has fenced the collapsed sections, and is ready to rehabilitate the walls, reusing as much salvaged stone as possible.

For this project, the NCC will work with experienced heritage masonry experts. They will supervise, dismantle and reassemble the wall. The NCC is also consulting the volunteer group, Friends of Maplelawn Garden, on an ongoing basis.

Process and timeline  

Planning and design, which includes a review by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO).
Tree removal

Rehabilitation of the garden walls:

  • Excavation of a trench for the wall foundation
  • Landscaping, pathway reinstatement and tree planting
  • Reassembly of the wall

Background

In 1831, William Thompson, a Scottish immigrant, established the Maplelawn Estate, which includes:

  • the Thomas-Cole-Rochester House, a two-and-a-half-storey ashlar masonry house
  • over .4 hectare (one acre) of grounds
  • a large ornamental garden

Historic limestone masonry walls enclose the grounds and garden.

The NCC has been the steward of Maplelawn Garden since the 1950s. In 1989, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated the entire estate as a National Historic Site of Canada. Maplelawn is one of the best-preserved and few remaining examples of an early 19th century walled garden in Canada. 

The house and walled garden at Maplelawn also provide a living record of how European architectural and landscape concepts were transplanted to Canada. The selection of plants, shrubs and trees is based on historical records.

Budget

The forecasted budget of this project is approximately $4.8 million. Part of this budget comes from the $228.6 million the NCC received in federal funding for critical repairs of high-impact and high-value assets between 2018 and 2023.

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