Parkwood Estate: 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!