sir mackenzie bowell grave site monitoring report 2011

7/31/2019 Sir Mackenzie Bowell 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. Sir M Bowell] Page 1 of 22

SUBJECT: The Hon. Sir Mackenzie Bowell Grave SiteGrave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring ReportBelleville CemeteryBelleville, Ontario

TO: Madame Julie Dompierre, DirectorHistoric Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) SecretariatLes Terrasses de la Chaudire25, Eddy Street, Gatineau, 5th floor

Quebec K1A 0M5

FOR: National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian PrimeMinisters

THE HONOUROBLE

SIR MACKENZIE BOWELL


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PREPARED BY: Shelley BruceConservation Certification AdvisorHeritage Programs BranchParks CanadaVancouver, BC

DATE: February 15, 20121.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

DATE OF INSPECTION: September 14, 2011PC FIELD UNIT CONTACT: Jennifer Duquette

National Historic Sites Program ManagerEastern Ontario613.449.4702

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: Sunny, 20oCGENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENT:Located on the western edge of Belleville, Ontario along the north shore of the Bay ofQuinte, is the Belleville Cemetery. The 65 acre cemetery was established in 1872 when

overcrowding in the local church yards became a concern. The older portion is at thesouth end of the cemetery and is characterized by a Picturesque and intricate networkof curved roadways and very mature trees of various species. North of this area is stillrelatively undeveloped and is largely flat lawn with trees only planted along the roadways. Several individuals of note are buried in the Belleville Cemetery includingSusanna Moodie and her husband Dunbar Moodie, and the Honourable Sir MackenzieBowell.

Heading south towards the Bay of Quinte, one will find the Bowell grave site in one ofthe cemetery's older sections. It consists of a single red granite obelisk on a granitebase that marks the Bowell family plot. The obelisk is surrounded by an area of grass

that slopes towards the water, and further away, by plantings of mature specimen treesand large shrubs. This single monument recognizes Sir Mackenzie Bowell and his wife,Harriet Louisa Moore on the west side of the obelisk. Other family members arememorialized on the other sides. Just at the steep bank leading down to the bay, thereis a single wood bench that is not associated with the grave site.


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2.0 COMPONENTS OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. Awareness Panel

Description:In 1999, the presentation elements, the flag pole and the awareness panel were moved

away from the Prime Ministers grave site in order to better respect the character of thecemetery in that immediate area. These elements are now located on the right handside of the cemetery's main entry road and are surrounded by a few trees and a largefield of grass. A gravel lay next to the elements allows for cars to easily stop and pullover. A rectangular area of grey concrete unit pavers delineates the installation. Theawareness panel and the flag pole are placed beside one another on matching squareconcrete bases. Since this installation is separate from the grave site, the awarenesspanel contains a secondary rectangular panel that was added just below the panel.Installed along the bottom edge of the awareness panel and hanging perpendicular tothe ground, this smaller panel identifies the section within the cemetery where the gravecan be found.


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Observation:

The front of the awareness is panel is ingood condition except for the face of theborder on the lower edge which is startingto exhibit some signs of wear. As noted in2005, the fittings that hold the lowerdirectional panel are rusting.

Recommended Action:Medium Priority: Replace the existinghardware with a stainless steel version.

Observation:The overall finish of the black stand isstarting to weather and become patchy.Some areas of rust are now visible on theblack stand especially towards the base.

Behind the panel there is general gardenand insect debris that has accumulated.

Recommended Action:Medium Priority: Thepanel should bedisassembled when the hardware isreplaced. This will allow for the back of thepanel and the stand to be sanded andrepainted to match. The debris can beremoved by hand when the maintenancestaff cut the adjacent grass.


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Observation:

The finish on the lower half edge of theportrait cameo is starting to deteriorate asis the gasket.

Recommended Action:Medium Priority: Before replacing thegasket, the edge of the cameo should besanded to remove the early stages of rustand painted black to match.

2. Flagpole

Description:In 1999, the presentation elements, the flag pole and the awareness panel were movedaway from the Prime Ministers grave site in order to better respect the character of thecemetery in that immediate area. These elements are now located on the right handside of the cemetery's main entry road. A rectangular area of grey concrete unit paversdelineates the installation. The flag pole is located next to the awareness panel on itssouthern side. The flag pole has been installed on a square concrete base that matchesthe one used for the awareness panel.


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Observation:The plastic lining for the flag ring has nowstarted to deteriorate. There are severalareas of wear along the height of the flagpole where the anodized black finish hasbeen worn away. The edge of the flag istattered and torn.

Recommended Action:Ongoing Priority: Contact the flagpolemanufacturer to determine what

implications the loss of the black coatinghas on the life of the flagpole. If required,replace the flag ring.

High Priority: A replacement Canadianflag must be provided.

3. 125th Confederation Anniversary Plaque

Description:The grave site is located at the southern end of the cemetery in section L. Just off theroadway is a simple installation for the 125th plaque. Sitting on a black metal post, it isset within a concrete base that is level with the surrounding grass. This particular 125 th


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plaque has been modified with the addition of a simple metal rectangular directional

sign that hangs from its bottom edge.

Observation:The 125th plaque is in generally goodcondition. It was looking dusty and grimyat the time of the site visit.

Recommended Action:Ongoing Priority: Ensure the face of theplaque is clear of any debris byperiodically washing with fresh water anda soft brush.

Observation:On the underside of the plaque, lawn andinsect debris collects. At its base, therewas a significant amount of back splashfrom the adjacent grass. Spots of rust are

staring to appear especially in the cut outof the direction arrow.

Recommended Action:Ongoing Priority: As maintenance staffcomplete their routine, debris can beremoved by hand. Fresh water and agentle scrubbing with a soft brush shouldremove signs of back splash. Assuggested in 2005, the plaque standshould be repainted.


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4. Former Prime Ministers Grave Marker

Description:Sitting on a stepped grey limestone base, the grave marker is a tall pink granite obelisk.An extensive list of family members is memorialized on each side of the obelisk with thePrime Minister and his wife memorialized west face. Their inscription is:

The HonourableSir Mackenzie Bowell, K.C.Born Icklinghall, SuffolkEng. Dec. 27, 1823Died Dec. 10, 1917

Harriet Louisa Moore

Wife ofMackenzie BowellBorn May 11th 1828Died April 2nd 1884


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Observation:

The obelisk remains in good condition.However, the top almost horizontalsurfaces of the two-tiered limestone basestones are spalling and lichen has startedto grow.

Recommended Action:Ongoing Priority: The condition of thelimestone should be monitored withphotographs every year to determine ifthe loss of surface is accelerating.

Observation:A lower corner of the limestone base wasbroken off and reported in the 2005condition assessment.

Recommended Action:Ongoing Priority: As with othermemorials in the cemetery, maintenancestaff need to be careful when operatinglawn mowers or other equipment close tothe monument.


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Observation:

Previous joints were repaired and as wasnoted in 2005, they are starting todiscolour. There may be early stages oflichen along the joints as well.

Recommended Action:Medium Priority: A masonry conservatorshould be retained to assess thecondition, determine acceptable remedialmeasures and perhaps carry out the work.

Observation:On the north side of the obelisk, the PrimeMinister's inscription continues to lookworn and is becoming difficult to read. Thelettering is less crisp than the otherinscriptions on the obelisk.

Recommended Action:High Priority: The 2005 condition

assessment recommended recording theinscription with laser scanning technologywith a follow-up recording at three yearintervals to determine the rate ofacceleration.


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Observation:

On the east side of the obelisk, theinscription for the prime minister'sdescendents is wearing in a very unusualfashion with the top half almost nowillegible.

Recommended Action:High Priority: Perhaps laser recording ofthis face should also be completed. Amasonry conservator should be retainedto assess the condition, determine the

cause and propose any acceptableremedial measures.

Observation:A few imperfections are still noticeable onthe column of the obelisk.

Recommended Action:

High Priority: As suggested in the 2005condition assessment, as a way ofmonitoring their stability, the areas couldbe scanned using laser scanningtechnology and rerecorded every threeyears for comparison.


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

A view looking south of the national program

elements at the entrance to the cemetery.

A view of the grave site looking north from the

bank of the bay.

Description:Given that the national program elements have been separated from the grave site,both areas must be assessed from different perspectives. The national programelements sit very much on their own with no associated landscaping. At the grave site,the landscaping is limited to the adjacent lawn.


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Observation:The planting bed and signage panel alongthe cemetery's main road is in very goodcondition. It was not noted on the designdrawings for the installation of the flagpole and awareness panel and are notpart of the national program's presentationelements. However, due to their closeproximity, they appear to be part of onearrangement of elements in thecemetery's landscape.

Recommended Action:Low Priority: Staff should discuss if thereis a design or branding issue with thesetwo arrangements and their impact on oneanother.

Observation:There are several extensive patches ofbare earth at the 125th plaque and around

the obelisk. The patches are very roughyet the weeds still seem to thrive. Closerto the grave marker, tire tracks remainvisible as this is a grassed service lane forthe cemetery's maintenance crew.

Recommended Action:High Priority: The bare areas should betop dressed and reseeded.


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6. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

A view looking south of the national programelements at the entrance to the cemetery.

A view of the grave site looking south towards thegrassed service lane and the bank of the bay.

Description:There is a simple palette of standard materials at the installation of the national programelements just in from the cemetery's main entrance. At the grave marker there are nobuilt elements associated with the site. The simple wood bench at the bank of the bay ispart of the cemetery's furnishings.

Observation: IThe grey concrete pavers directly in frontof the flag pole's concrete base have sunksignificantly. Weeds have started to settlewithin the joints between the pavers.

Recommended Action:Medium Priority: These pavers must bepulled up and reset at the same level asthe rest of the paved area. Asmaintenance staff are cutting the adjacent

grass, it would be a convenient time topull up the weeds.


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Observation: At the flag pole and

awareness panel, a contemporary yetvery generic garbage can has beenplaced on a concrete pad. It was notnoted on the design drawings.

Recommended Action:High Priority: The garbage could bemoved to another location so that is notseen as part of this arrangement and isalso still convenient to the cemetery's frontgates.

3.0 PREVIOUS CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS

1994 The Canada 125 plaque was erected beside the cemetery drivewayclosest to the grave site. The plaque was part of an initiative to celebratethe one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Confederation byrecognizing the grave sites of former Prime Ministers of Canada. Originalunveiling of all the Canada 125 plaques took place on Parliament Hill,October 1993.

1999

2004

A flag pole and awareness panel were installed as part of the NationalProgram for the Graves Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers. Because of aconcern to protect the character of the Bowell grave site, these elementswere installed away from the grave near the entrance to the cemetery.

The Obelisk was dismantled and a new concrete support base poured.The Obelisk was re-assembled with new stainless steel pins and sealant.

2004-2011 Some site cleaning and weed pulling were carried out.

4.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Awareness Panel Medium Priority: Replace the existing hardware with a stainless steel version.

Medium Priority: Thepanel should be disassembled when the hardware isreplaced. This will allow for the back of the panel and the stand to be sanded and


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repainted to match. The debris can be removed by hand when the maintenance

staff cut the adjacent grass.

Medium Priority: Before replacing the gasket, the edge of the cameo should besanded to remove the early stages of rust and painted black to match.

Flag Pole

Ongoing Priority: Contact the flagpole manufacturer to determine whatimplications the loss of the black coating has on the life of the flagpole. Ifrequired, replace the flag ring.

High Priority: A replacement Canadian flag must be provided.

125thConfederation Anniversary Plaque

Ongoing Priority: Ensure the face of the plaque is clear of any debris byperiodically washing with fresh water and a soft brush.

Ongoing Priority: As maintenance staff complete their routine, debris can beremoved by hand. Fresh water and a gentle scrubbing with a soft brush shouldremove signs of back splash. As suggested in 2005, the plaque stand should berepainted.

Former Prime Minister's Grave Marker

Ongoing Priority: The condition of the limestone should be monitored withphotographs every year to determine if the loss of surface is accelerating.

Ongoing Priority: As with other memorials in the cemetery, maintenance staffneed to be careful when operating lawn mowers or other equipment close to themonument.

Medium Priority: A masonry conservator should be retained to assess thecondition, determine acceptable remedial measures and perhaps carry out thework.

High Priority: The 2005 condition assessment recommended recording theinscription with laser scanning technology with a follow-up recording at three yearintervals to determine the rate of acceleration.

High Priority: Perhaps laser recording of this face should also be completed. Amasonry conservator should be retained to assess the condition, determine thecause and propose any acceptable remedial measures.


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High Priority: As suggested in the 2005 condition assessment, as a way ofmonitoring their stability, the areas could be scanned using laser scanningtechnology and rerecorded every three years for comparison.

Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

Low Priority: Staff should discuss if there is a design or branding issue withthese two arrangements and their impact on one another.

High Priority: The bare areas should be top dressed and reseeded.

Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Medium Priority: These pavers must be pulled up and reset at the same level asthe rest of the paved area. As maintenance staff are cutting the adjacent grass, itwould be a convenient time to pull up the weeds.

High Priority: The garbage could be moved to another location so that is notseen as part of this arrangement and is also still convenient to the cemetery'sfront gates.

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

Recommendations 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Awareness Panel Replace theexistinghardwarewith astainlesssteel version.Thepanelshould bedisassembledwhen thehardware is

replaced.This will allowfor the backof the paneland the standto be sandedand repainted


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to match. The

debris can beremoved byhand whenthemaintenancestaff cut theadjacentgrass.Beforereplacing thegasket, the

edge of thecameo shouldbe sanded toremove theearly stagesof rust andpainted blackto match.

Flagpole Contact the flagpole manufacturer to determine what implicationsthe loss of the black coating has on the life of the flagpole. Ifrequired, replace the flag ring.

AreplacementCanadianflag must beprovided.

125th

ConfederationAnniversaryPlaque

Ensure the face of the plaque is clear of any debris by periodicallywashing with fresh water and a soft brush.As maintenance staff complete their routine, debris can be removedby hand. Fresh water and a gentle scrubbing with a soft brushshould remove signs of back splash. As suggested in 2005, theplaque stand should be repainted.

Former PrimeMinisters GraveMarker

The condition of the limestone should be monitored withphotographs every year to determine if the loss of surface isacceleratingAs with other memorials in the cemetery, maintenance staff need tobe careful when operating lawn mowers or other equipment close tothe monument.

A masonry


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conservator

should beretained toassess thecondition,determineacceptableremedialmeasures andperhaps carryout the work.

The 2005

conditionassessmentrecommendedrecording theinscriptionwith laserscanningtechnologywith a follow-up recordingat three year

intervals todetermine therate ofacceleration.Perhapslaserrecording ofthis faceshould alsobecompleted. A

masonryconservatorshould beretained toassess thecondition,determine the


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cause and

propose anyacceptableremedialmeasures.As suggestedin the 2005conditionassessment,as a way ofmonitoringtheir stability,

the areascould bescannedusing laserscanningtechnologyandrerecordedevery threeyears forcomparison.

Vegetation (trees,shrubs, plantmaterial, lawn)

Staff shoulddiscuss ifthere is adesign orbrandingissue withthese twoarrangementsand theirimpact onone another.

The bareareasshould betop dressedandreseeded.

Landscape These pavers


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features

(pavement,benches andothers)

must be

pulled up andreset at thesame level asthe rest of thepaved area.Asmaintenancestaff arecutting theadjacentgrass, it

would be aconvenienttime to pull upthe weeds.

Thegarbagecould bemoved toanotherlocation sothat is not

seen as partof thisarrangementand is alsostillconvenientto thecemetery'sfront gates.

sir mackenzie bowell grave site monitoring report 2011

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