We Need Your Help!
Heritage Watch Hamilton wishes to bring to your attention a matter of
immediate concern. This is regarding Auchmar, the grand country estate
of the Honourable Isaac Buchanan which is located at the intersection
of West 5th Street and Fennell Avenue West on Hamilton Mountain.
By way of background, the 10 acre property which is now known as
Auchmar is the landscaped portion of a much larger estate established
by lsaac Buchanan, a major figure in business and political circles in
pre-Confederation Upper Canada. In about 1855, Buchanan built the
estate on a scale similar to that of Dundurn Castle: an imposing manor
house surrounded by magnificent landscaping and outbuildings. The main
house stands at the high point of the property, and faces north across
an approach which included garden paths, an extensive orchard, and a
long entrance drive lined by a row of trees. Other prominent features
include a high garden wall with arched passageway and a well-preserved
carriage house and dovecote. As an intact country estate in the middle
of our city, Auchmar is so much more than the sum of its parts; it
truly is the "Dundurn of the Mountain" and is indisputably one of
Hamilton's most important surviving heritage properties.
The property is recognized at the Provincial level, and is indeed
subject to a conservation easement to protect, in perpetuity, the
described heritage features. Due to a history of continuous occupation
until 1999, the property has been maintained and is in excellent
physical condition, retaining many of its most important heritage
features.
The City of Hamilton owns Auchmar, and in 1999 Council expressed its
"commitment to sustainable long-term, public ownership of a restored
cultural heritage property for the City of Hamilton." Notwithstanding
this, Council is now being asked to consider alternatives for selling
or giving away this community asset. Of equal concern, zoning changes
are being proposed to facilitate large-scale new construction at
Auchmar. In short, Auchmar is at a major crossroads: Hamilton will now
choose between retaining the property for public use or handing it
over to private interests, private interests which can reasonably be
expected to dramatically alter the property through new construction.
Your help is needed. The matter was before the Planning and Economic
Development Committee on May 8, 2007 and the Committee voted to direct staff to start the "RFP" process.
Heritage Watch Hamilton encourages you to voice your support for keeping Auchmar a publicly owned City asset by contacting your ward Councillor to express your concerns. You can find their contact information at http://www.heritagewatchhamilton.com/governmentcontacts.htm
You can also email us at heritagewatchhamilton@gmail.com and we will forward your concerns along to the relevant individuals at City Hall.
immediate concern. This is regarding Auchmar, the grand country estate
of the Honourable Isaac Buchanan which is located at the intersection
of West 5th Street and Fennell Avenue West on Hamilton Mountain.
By way of background, the 10 acre property which is now known as
Auchmar is the landscaped portion of a much larger estate established
by lsaac Buchanan, a major figure in business and political circles in
pre-Confederation Upper Canada. In about 1855, Buchanan built the
estate on a scale similar to that of Dundurn Castle: an imposing manor
house surrounded by magnificent landscaping and outbuildings. The main
house stands at the high point of the property, and faces north across
an approach which included garden paths, an extensive orchard, and a
long entrance drive lined by a row of trees. Other prominent features
include a high garden wall with arched passageway and a well-preserved
carriage house and dovecote. As an intact country estate in the middle
of our city, Auchmar is so much more than the sum of its parts; it
truly is the "Dundurn of the Mountain" and is indisputably one of
Hamilton's most important surviving heritage properties.
The property is recognized at the Provincial level, and is indeed
subject to a conservation easement to protect, in perpetuity, the
described heritage features. Due to a history of continuous occupation
until 1999, the property has been maintained and is in excellent
physical condition, retaining many of its most important heritage
features.
The City of Hamilton owns Auchmar, and in 1999 Council expressed its
"commitment to sustainable long-term, public ownership of a restored
cultural heritage property for the City of Hamilton." Notwithstanding
this, Council is now being asked to consider alternatives for selling
or giving away this community asset. Of equal concern, zoning changes
are being proposed to facilitate large-scale new construction at
Auchmar. In short, Auchmar is at a major crossroads: Hamilton will now
choose between retaining the property for public use or handing it
over to private interests, private interests which can reasonably be
expected to dramatically alter the property through new construction.
Your help is needed. The matter was before the Planning and Economic
Development Committee on May 8, 2007 and the Committee voted to direct staff to start the "RFP" process.
Heritage Watch Hamilton encourages you to voice your support for keeping Auchmar a publicly owned City asset by contacting your ward Councillor to express your concerns. You can find their contact information at http://www.heritagewatchhamilton.com/governmentcontacts.htm
You can also email us at heritagewatchhamilton@gmail.com and we will forward your concerns along to the relevant individuals at City Hall.
