Conservation Case Study: The Bowling Alley

Over the years the Parkwood Bowling Alley has been used to store and exhibit examples of the carriages and cutters from the McLaughlin Carriage Company, as well as played host to the tour admissions desk and gift shop cash. Due to these multiple uses, including fifty five years of bowling games, the bowling lane was showing its age and some strong wear patterns.
Parkwood has previously worked with Mr.Sandless on several projects, including the Business Office and the Parkwood Lodge, and during one of his visits, Tom had suggested that Mr.Sandless could take a look at the Bowling Alley and assist with its preservation. Mr. Sandless was very aware that as a National Historic Site, some of the aging that resulted due to use during the family years, was precious to us, and the wear was authentic to our interpretation program, it tells the story of the McLaughlin Family at play.
What Parkwood was concerned about was the wear that had been caused due to our commercial use of the space, the gift shop, and admissions desk, the daily museum role in its deterioration. In 2013, most of the carriages and cutters that were exhibited along the bowling alley found a permanent home at the Oshawa Community Museum, in the drive shed facility, where the story of the McLaughlin Carriage Works is interpreted. With the removal of these artefacts from the space, Mr. Sandless was able to view the entire bowling alley and propose the work that was completed May 1, 2013.


The first step was the application of the wash solution. This very mild solution removed the surface dirts and grease. It also removed previous attempts at fixing with various stain applications over the decades. The wash solution application prepares the wood grain, enabling it to be ready to accept the next stage of the treatment.

The second step was the application of the renewal product that helps invigorate the original colours of the wood, a spa treatment for the bowling alley. Notice in the photo of Tom applying the renewing solution the contrast that this step is already showing in the revitilization of the wood. 

The final step, between the drying cycles was the application of the varnish. After the renewal product was applied, most private households would have Mr. Sandless restore their wooden floors, with an application of stain. This was not the process of the bowling alley, because, remember those wear patterns that we love so much, the patina of historic use, Parkwood still wanted those. So, Tom, understanding our concerns and the need to keep the evidence of the alley being one of family use, followed our wishes and applied the varnish, as he is in the photo to the left.





  Voila, the final product!

Thank you Mr.Sandless for a remarkable job on making the Bowling Alley gleam again!

www.mrsandless.com

 

Conserving the heritage landscape – Tree Management

Severe windstorms over the last six months have caused damage and destruction of aged trees at Parkwood.  Grounds Foreman Brad Beer and Curator Samantha George recently grappled with various tree issues, and with the advice of City of Oshawa Forestry Supervisor Rob Fennell, have identified Parkwood’s  TOP TEN TREE PROJECTS.

Parkwood has some incredible trees, many of which were already here when Sam McLaughlin purchased the property in 1915 to build his dream home.  Working with top garden designers over the next 20 years Sam and his wife Adelaide then planted many more trees – to achieve the complex compositions and layered views we enjoy today.  Most have reached a venerable age and beauty that you just can’t find elsewhere.

Sadly, like us, trees can age gracefully or quickly lose their looks and faculties, move into a slow or a rapid decline.  The plug must be pulled at some point.

Trees are part of Parkwood’s overall heritage conservation, an interesting and challenging process that includes:

Collections Management & Curatorial

Trees are considered in the same way that the mansion, furnishings and archives are - catalogued, monitored, with threats identified and addressed if possible through conservation “spa” treatment.  Trees are researched individually and as part of the design, social and family histories of Parkwood, for interpretation and educational purposes (eg. tree walks, garden tours, lectures, future virtual).  

Evaluation/Assessment

Trees are assessed with regard to overall health and appearance.  Treatments are devised to improve health and increase life-span (root feeding, pruning/thinning, cabling, pest management)

Risk assessment is an important factor, to ensure the safety of garden visitors, staff and volunteers.

Removal becomes necessary at some point, and planned according to urgency and equipment access.  Late winter often provides the best opportunity for tree work, with frozen ground and leafless trees.

 

Replacement

Research and site assessment is undertaken to determine if replacement is desired or possible.  Heritage conservation dictates replacing like with like, which is always our preference but not always possible.

The replacement trees are chosen by species are size, taking into account the location, season, time frame to do the work, and equipment access (eg. tree spade or truck) and of course COST!

Site preparation is undertaken to provide the best head start for new trees.

Funding Tree Management

It’s always a challenge to find the operating and capital support needed, with so many heritage resources and competing priorities at Parkwood.   Effective tree management requires a sustained effort, which isn’t always possible.  Parkwood is grateful for individuals and businesses who provide generous assistance.

 

Tribute/memorial planting

Generally, Parkwood plants trees strictly within the context of historic replacement.  We maintain lists of historic varieties/priorities for replacement, to respond to donor requests to plant trees to mark occasions or in tribute/memorial.

Once in a while a unique opportunity arises.  In 2011 Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Landscape Ontario planted a native maple tree, the first tree planted to mark the first National Tree Day in Canada.  This took place in a non-historic space (altered in the 1970’s for the parking garage), so was a happy exception.  Do try this at home!  The next National Tree Day is Sept 25, 2013.   

Tree Selection process

Parkwood adheres to landscape conservation principles of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, which address land patterns, landforms, spatial organization, vegetation, viewscapes, circulation, water features, built features.  Many of these guide or inform tree replacement selection, to which factors we add Parkwood’s particular history.

The Dunington Grubbs Landscape Architects

Historic & Design considerations: 

 

·         What inspired the choice of species and placement originally?

 

·         What were the original design considerations, characteristics and functions, we want to respect (eg. size and form within the treescape, colour and texture of leaves & bark, intended to blend or contrast with neighbouring trees)?

·         Was the tree a particular favourite of Sam or Adelaide, a gift to them, planted to mark an anniversary or occasion?

Site Conditions Then & Now

·         Are there site conditions that contributed to the failure/decline of the tree (sunlight, moisture)?  Can they be remedied so that a replacement can flourish?  If not, do we reconsider the replacement? Do we delay replacement for years or decades?

·         Would you replace a Dutch Elm or other disease-prone species? 

 

 

Parkwood National Historic Site

TOP TEN TREE PROJECTS

 

Parkwood acknowledges with appreciation the advice of City of Oshawa Forestry Supervisor Rob Fennell.

1.      WHITE SPRUCE Location:         North End of Arbour Action:             Remove to ground level and clean up/dispose of all brush Replacement:  Not advised at this time	Cost:$ 2,000
2.      SILVER MAPLE Location:         South Lawn, along Terrace                           walkway Action:             Deadwood prune and remove all stubs and hangers;                                 clean up/disposal of all brush	Cost:$    300
3.      SIBERIAN ELM  Location:         3  trees - Rose Garden, 2 trees – South Lawn Action:              Remove trees in Rose Garden to ground level, clean up &                           dispose of all  brush, plant and stake new Replacement: 80mm caliper Siberian Elm (3 to Rose Garden, 2 to South                           Lawn, per previous storm damage/removal)	Cost:  removal              $6,000               replacements    $ 1,000
4.      SILVER MAPLE Location:         Border planting area along Simcoe Street fence Action:             Remove to ground, clean up/dispose all brush  Replacement:  Not advised at this time	Cost:$ 1,500
5.      SCHWEDLAR MAPLE Location:         South Lawn Action:              Remove to ground, clean up/disposal, grind stump  Replacement:  15’ to 18’ improved Schwedlar variety	Cost:  removal $ 4,500                replacement  unknown
6.      SILVER FIR Location:         Main Entrance driveway Action:              Remove to ground, clean up/dispose of all brush Replacement:  Not advised at this time	Cost: $ 300
7.      BASSWOOD Location:         Main Entrance driveway Action:              Remove old trunk to ground, clean up/dispose of all brush Replacement:  Not advised at this time	Cost: $ 300
8.       RED OAK Location:         South Lawn Action:              Deadwood prune, clean up/disposal of all brush	Cost: $ 700
9.      CEDAR & WHITE SPRUCE Location:         South Lawn, east of Summer House Action:              Removal to ground,  clean up/dispose of all brush                            3 Cedars & 1 White Spruce Replacement:  Not advised at this time	Cost: $ 400
10. WEEPING ASH Location:         South Lawn Action:              Deadwood prune, clean up/dispose of all brush	Cost: $300
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST                                                         $ 17,300

Parkwood Volunteers 2012

I was counting up the hours of contributed volunteer time yesterday and although the year has not officially ended, the amount of time donated by our volunteer corps surpasses 10,000 hours. That's 10,000 hours of interpreting McLaughlin family history to the public; condition reporting and updating collections management records; cups of tea and scones served; special events organised and executed; walls washed and silver polished; floors waxed and buffed; gift shop merchandise priced; gardens weeded and watered and clocks wound and worked on. What amazes me is that these 10,000 hours are achieved with rarely a grumble and often a very vocal thank you to me for allowing people to volunteer at Parkwood and experience what a gem of Canadian heritage this National Historic Site is.

2012 was not without its challenges to the volunteer either. Much of our year and regular operation was disrupted by film production. Disruption that was welcome and sought by management, since those who follow our blog understand the financial necessity of filming at the site, but this limits the amount of time that I am able to dedicate to the important part of the volunteer experience, retention. Although the parking lot was filled with transport trucks, lighting cranes, generators and the mansion filled with equipment, 100 extra people, cardboard protection and mats, our volunteers rallied and continued to offer the best "experience" for the visiting public.  

 

They perservered and met each Tuesday and Thursday for croquet matches, continued to attend their regular volunteer shifts, often parking off site, or arranging for drop offs and pick ups to avoid film crew vehicles, and even covered our reception duties when our small staff was pulled into the fray of film production hours and needs.



The volunteers embraced the creation and put up with the floundering Museum Morsels, our historic culinary club, now in full swing, but were patient as I slowly pulled it together despite overnight shifts, with on again, off again enthusiasm (on my part) for the project. Their attendance to our sessions, where we delved into food and social history (they all know my area of passion) reignited my personal interests and zest for the program amongst the craziness that surrounded us. Their combined excitement for the goals I established when I set out to create this program has generated a keenness among the corps that it is hard not to be caught up in their eagerness to experience food history.

Over the last few quiet days at Parkwood, I have been working on my volunteer programs, you remember, the retention pieces I neglected in 2012, and I am very energized about what 2013 will have in store for Parkwood NHS and the 160 dedicated volunteers we boast about with frequency.