alexander mackenzie grave site monitoring report 2011

7/31/2019 Alexander Mackenzie Grave Site Monitoring Report 2011

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERSMONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Hon. Alexander Mackenzie] Page 1 of 15

SUBJECT: The Hon. Alexander MackenzieGrave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring ReportLakeview Cemetery and Crematorium1016 Colborne RoadSarnia, Ontario

TO: Madame Julie Dompierre, Director

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC)Les Terrasses de la Chaudire25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, 5th floorQuebec, K1A 0M5

FOR: National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian PrimeMinisters

THE HONOURABLE

ALEXANDER MACKENZIE


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PREPARED BY: Janet WrightSenior Conservation AdvisorHeritage Programs BranchHeritage Conservation and Commemoration DirectorateGatineau, QC

DATE: January 31, 2012

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATIONDATE OF INSPECTION: 28 October 2011PC FIELD UNIT CONTACT: Dhruba Subedi

Asset ManagerSW Ontario Field Unit

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: Sunny, 5o CelsiusGENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENT:The gravesite of the Honourable Alexander Mackenzie is located in Lakeview Cemeterywhich is situated about three kilometres northeast of the historic downtown core. It is awell-maintained cemetery featuring a stone entrance gate, a substantial mausoleum in

the classical style, and winding roadways through a landscape of mature trees.Established as a non-denominational cemetery in 1879 under the ownership of theSarnia Cemetery Corporation, it is currently managed by a volunteer board of directorsand by several full and part-time staff. Starting in fiscal year 2010-2011 Parks Canadahas entered into a contract with an outside landscape firm to maintain the site.

The gravesite of Alexander Mackenzie is part of a large Mackenzie family plot situatedon a gently sloping site made up of four separate plots identified from the top of the hillto the bottom as plot numbers 97, 98, 99 and 103. The height of land is dominated by asubstantial sandstone obelisk resting on a granite plinth and surmounted by a shroudcovered urn. It is finely carved with leaf-like motifs in the upper levels and incised with

the names of many of the Mackenzie family members including that of Prime MinisterAlexander Mackenzie. In addition to the monument there are fifty, nearly identicalheadstones composed of a granite slab set into a sandstone base. These stones arearranged in roughly parallel lines behind the monument and down the slope of the hill.Five small marble blocks mark the boundaries of the site which is surrounded by maturetrees on three sides and by the asphalt roadway at the bottom of the slope. Theawareness panel, the125th Confederation Anniversary plaque, and the flagpole arelocated just off the roadway directly in front of the family plot.


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2.0 COMPONENTS OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. Awareness Panel

Observation:The awareness panel is placed at the bottom of theMackenzie family plot just off the paved access road.Defects noted in the 2005 monitoring report amissing bolt on the panel and chipped paint on thestand - have been repaired. The sign is in goodcondition and the black metal stand has been recently

repainted with no signs of wear or rust.

Recommended Action: None

Awareness panel is in good condition.

2. Flagpole

Observation:

The flagpole and 125th ConfederationAnniversary plaque are located at thebase of the slope just off the pavedroadway. The flagpole is in goodcondition although it shows the usual wearin the black anodized coating caused bythe exposed wire loop which holds thebottom of the flag to the pole. The metalcap protecting the brackets and boltswhich attach the pole to the concrete basedoes not function effectively as it tends to

hold in debris and moisture rather thankeeping it out. As a result the bolts andbase plate anchoring the stand to theconcrete base show significant signs ofrust and staining of the concrete.

Flagpole and 125t

Confederation Anniversary plaque


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Recommended Action:

High Priority: The manufacturer of the flagpole should be contacted to determinewhether there is a more effective cap for protecting the brackets and bolts. The rustedbolts and plate should be replaced.

Photo showing black anodized coating being worn away. The accumulation of debris and moisture which collectsunderneath the protective cap.

3. 125th Confederation Anniversary Plaque

125th

Confederation Anniversary plaque. Back of the plaque which has been recently repainted.

Observation:The 125th Confederation Anniversary plaque is attached to the concrete base of theflagpole. The bronze plaque and metal stand are in good condition.



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4. Former Prime Ministers Grave Marker

Observation:The Prime Ministers memorial consists of an imposing sandstone obelisk resting on agranite base. It sits at the crest of the hill and bears his name as well as the names ofother members of the family. The gravesite itself is marked by a simple granite andsandstone headstone which is one of 50 near identical markers on the site. Over theyears the sandstone of the central monument had deteriorated significantly to the extentthat some of the inscriptions were no longer legible. This was most evident on the westside which is exposed to the scouring effect of the prevailing winds. Significant scalingof the sandstone is also very evident on the lowest sandstone section which tended towick up the moisture that collected on the more impermeable granite base.

Assessments carried out over several years noted the increasingly rapid rate ofdeterioration and in 2009 Parks Canada entered into a contract to conserve themonument. The stone was cleaned, the stone was strengthened with a stoneconsolidant, and the joint between the granite base and the lowest sandstone block wasrepointed to prevent any further water infiltration. Additional mortar was also applied tostabilize a few areas where the thin outer layer of sandstone was separating from theunderlying stone. These repairs appear to be in good condition although repointing themortar between the upper sandstone blocks was not included in the scope of work andthere are several areas where the mortar has worn away. This condition does notappear to be causing any immediate problems although it is recommended that grave

markers be assess by a stone conservation specialist to assess the situation and toevaluate the overall performance of the conservation work carried out in 2009.

Photo illustrating the erosion of some of the inscriptions.

Mackenzie family monument in 2011.


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Addition of mortar to secure face of the limestone Missing mortar between the sandstone blocks.

The actual gravesite of Sir Alexander Mackenzie is identified by a small granite slabwith a sandstone base. The slightly arched and canted top edge of the slab bears hisname and the year of his death. It is one of 50 similar markers located on the familyplots (see Section 5 Other grave markers). Over the years moisture penetrated the jointbetween the sandstone and the granite causing the wrought iron dowels, whichattached to the two stones together, to rust, expand and cause the granite to crack. In1999 it was one of eight similar stones to be conserved. The original wrought irondowels were removed and replaced by stainless steel. At the same time the cracks inthe granite were mortared and reinforced with additional stainless steel rods set inepoxy. A piece of the sandstone plinth which had broken off was re-attached to thestone. The repairs appear to be wearing well and there is no sign of further

deterioration.

Alexander Mackenzie head stone. 1999 repair of the sandstone base.

Recommended ActionsMedium Priority: A masonry conservation specialist should be engaged to evaluatethe overall performance of the conservation work carried out in 1999 and 2009.


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5. Other Grave Markers

ObservationThe Mackenzie family plot now consist of 50 individual head stones (including that ofPrime Minister Alexander Mackenzie described above). Most are in good conditionalthough there is an algae-like staining to some of the sandstone bases which tend toabsorb moisture. This tendency does not, however, appear to have a significant impacton the rusticated or simply carved stone.

The 1999 conservation project included seven other headstones, some of which were inmuch poorer condition that the Alexander Mackenzie headstone. In all cases theoriginal dowels were removed, the cracks repaired, and lost pieces of stone or open

cracks were in-filled with a cement based mortar used for stone conservation. Newstainless steel dowels were inserted and the stones were cleaned. These repairs are ingood condition with possible exception of the John Mackenzie stone which hasdownward sloping gap in the mortar which could hold water and result in furtherdeterioration.

The monitoring report of 2005 stated that some of the stones were leaning forward but acomparison with the photos taken in 2011 shows that this problem has been correctedas part of the 2010 landscape conservation project. The five marble boundary markersare vulnerable to damage by lawn mowers, particularly those set low into the ground.The terms of the landscape conservation project specified that the marble blocks be

raised and leveled. Although some are raised above the grass, the two at the bottom ofthe hill are still set almost flush with the ground level. The decision to issue a contractto an independent landscaper may have resolved this problem.

Mary F. Mackenzie headstone. The missing piece of Unidentified headstone showing repairs, and in goodstone and open cracks were in-filled with Reconstec 310. condition.


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John Mackenzie headstone. John Mackenzie headstone showing open crack inthe 1999 repairs.

Two headstones shown leaning forward in 2005. The above photo taken in 2011 shows that the stones havebeen straightened.

Marble boundary marker showing damage from mowers. Raised boundary marker showing less damage.


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Recommended Actions:

Medium Priority: The performance of the masonry conservation carried out in 1999and in 2009 should be reviewed by a masonry specialist and any necessary repairs tothe various stones be identified.

Ongoing: The condition of the stones and the impact of landscape maintenancepractices should be monitored.

6. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

Mature deciduous tree within the Mackenzie family plot. Surrounding canopy of trees around the Mackenziemonument.

The landscaping consists of lawn and one mature oak tree located in the lower half the

site. Several other mature trees flank and overhang the site. The lawn had beenrecently topped-dressed and is in good condition. The 2005 report had noted theerosion of soil around the base of the central monument and around some of theindividual headstones but this was corrected as part of the work carried out in 2010.Gravel and topsoil were added at the base of the main monument and the grade wassloped away from the base to provide better drainage. The grass around the bases ofthe fifty headstones is now flush with the lawn. The 2005 monitoring report identified a


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dead branch in one of the adjacent trees. This was still evident although it is located

high up in the canopy and it does not appear to represent a major threat or mar theappearance of the site.


Exposed granite base of the principal monument in Landscaping around the monument in 2011.1999.

7. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Area where the roadway will be widened on both sides. Directional signage installed by the cemetery.


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Lakeview Cemetery is planning to widen the roadway at the base of the site by one foot

on either side to provide enough space for a car to pass a parked vehicle. Theshoulders of the roadway are currently being eroded and the lawn destroyed by carsparking and driving over these areas. There is sufficient space between the lowerstones and the commemorative flagpole to allow for this widening.

Lakeview Cemetery has also erected a directional sign to the Mackenzie Monument.Although this is useful aid for visitors trying to find the site in this large cemetery, it hasbeen built of poor quality materials and it has been allowed to deteriorate.

Recommended Action:Medium priority: To encourage the Lakeview Cemetery to remove or repair the sign.

Parks Canada may wish to consider developing a program of directional signs for thegravesites, particularly for those located in large cemeteries.

3.0 PREVIOUS CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS

1999 Archaeological excavation and assessment carried prior to beginningconservation work.

1999 Conservation work carried out on eight small head stones including that of SirAlexander Mackenzie.

1999 Installation flagpole and Awareness Panel.

2000 Conservation and Maintenance Plan for the Gravesite of Sir AlexanderMackenzie, prepared by the Heritage Conservation Directorate, PWGSC.

2009- Conservation of the sandstone monument by Trevor Gillingwater, stoneconservation specialist.

2010 Landscape conservation including excavating selected headstones, resettingthem in new concrete footings and leveling off the site with topsoil to hide theconcrete footings of all the stones.

4.0 ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

There is no formal agreement between Parks Canada and the Lakeview Cemetery andCrematorium; nor has the Conservation and Maintenance Plan has not beencommunicated to them. The Mackenzie gravesite is also the only case in which ParksCanada has decided to issue a separate contract to an independent landscaper to look


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after the grounds. According to the South Western Ontario Field Unit this was done

because the maintenance practices of Lakeview Cemetery were damaging some of thestones and the cemetery was unable to meet the standards of care stipulated by ParksCanada. Lakeview Cemetery is not happy with this arrangement as it undermines itsroles and responsibilities.

5.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Flag pole

High Priority: The manufacturer of the flagpole should be contacted todetermine whether there is a more effective cap for protecting the brackets and

bolts. The rusted bolts and plate should be replaced.

Former Prime Ministers Grave Marker

Medium Priority: A masonry conservation specialist should be engaged toevaluate the overall performance of the conservation work carried out in 2009.

Other Grave Markers

Medium Priority: The performance of the masonry conservation carried out in1999 and in 2010 should be reviewed by a masonry specialist and anynecessary repairs to the deteriorated headstone be identified.

Ongoing: The condition of the stones and the impact of landscape maintenancepractices should be monitored.

Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Medium priority: To encourage the Lakeview Cemetery to remove or repair thesign. Parks Canada may wish to consider developing a program of directionalsigns for the gravesites, particularly for those located in large cemeteries.

Here is a summary of the recommended actions over the next five coming years:

Recommendations 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Flagpole The

manufacturerof theflagpoleshould be


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contacted to

determinewhetherthere is amoreeffective capfor protectingthe bracketsand bolts.The rustedbolts andplate should

be replaced.Former PrimeMinistersGrave Marker

A masonryconservationspecialistshould beengaged toevaluate theoverallperformanceof theconservation

work carriedout in 2009.

Other GraveMarkers

Theperformanceof themasonryconservationcarried outin 1999 andin 2010should be

reviewed bya masonryspecialistand anynecessaryrepairs tothe


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deteriorated

headstonebeidentified.

The condition of the stones and the impact of landscapemaintenance practices should be monitored.

Landscapefeatures(pavement,benches andothers)

ToencouragetheLakeviewCemetery

to removeor repairthe sign.ParksCanadamay wishto considerdevelopinga programofdirectional

signs forthegravesites,particularlyfor thoselocated inlargecemeteries.


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6.0 APPENDIX

Contact:Kelly OConnor, General ManagerLakeview Cemetery & Crematorium1016 Colborne RoadSarnia, ON N7V 3K7

Phone: 519-337-5761Fax: 519-337-5922

alexander mackenzie grave site monitoring report 2011

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