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posted
January 10, 2011
"2010
- THE YEAR IN REVIEW"
Numerous events
were held in 2010 to raise awareness of the our heritage treasure-
the Bellevue House.
In
April, with the co-operation of Christ Church
Anglican, an information session and historical overview
was presented by Robert Honor.
He spoke
of the Bellevue House and its first family –
Robert Reynolds and his sisters Catherine and Margaret,
the latter two among the first recognized artists
in Upper Canada.
The audience
of approximately 50 people, including the Mayor and
several councillors, was most receptive and a good
dialogue on the property and its future ensued.
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Information
Session: Christ Church Amherstburg,
April 25, 2010
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Same
Latitude as Rome: Bellevue Concert:
Nazery Church - May 8, 2010 |
In May, with the co-operation of the
Black Museum, the Friends sponsored a concert at the
Nazery Church, one of the most attractive concert venues
in our town.
Jackie Robitaille
performed her original songs, accompanying herself on
keyboards. She was followed by Same Latitude as Rome,
with their original folk songs including some on the
War of 1812.
An audience
of 60 thoroughly enjoyed the work of these artists. |
Over
the summer, the owners moved to clear cut the area
behind the house and removed a great number of mature trees.
It is always difficult to observe the destruction of mature
healthy trees in an urban setting without any apparent rationale.
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The
Clearing of Bellevue Yard - Summer 2010 |
On August 28 and 29, the Friends again participated
in Art by the River at Fort Malden and welcomed an
opportunity to hear the recollections of those familiar
with the house and discuss its future with many interested
members of the public.
Several
people joined our support group either on the spot
or through the
e-mail contact link on our website.
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Bellevue
Exhibit, Art by the River,
August 28 and 29, 2010 |
In
the fall, the outlook for the property brightened
when Mr. Peter Valente assumed the role of agent and spokesperson
for the property. The grounds received some overdue maintenance
and the interior was inspected and refurbished to allow tours
by the Mayor and the town’s Heritage Committee as well
as private sector parties interested in possible reuse of
the buildings. All who had an opportunity to tour the home
were heartened by the relative good condition of the house
as its 200th birthday approaches.
As a final
activity, members of the Friends marched in the Amherstburg
Santa Parade on November 27, 2010.
Amherstburg
Santa Parade, November 27, 2010
In addition to
these activities, the Friends have been very active in contacting
various organizations, such as the National Heritage Sites
Association of Ontario, as well as all levels of government,
to press for an action plan to preserve and restore this national
treasure.
2011
– A CRITICAL YEAR FOR BELLEVUE
Bellevue Christmas
2010 – Our Challenge for 2011
The
marketing of the 2012 Bicentennial of the War of 1812 has
begun in our community. We believe that the restoration of
Bellevue should be an important part of this celebration.
One
of the first and strongest indicators that the carnage and
deprivation of the War of 1812 was truly over was the construction
of Bellevue and its sister building, Christ Church. As
one of the finest residences in Upper Canada, designed and
built by a family that chose to return to this community,
it reflects their love of this area and their belief in its
continuing value.
As
we reflect on the challenges facing us to-day, the preservation
and restoration of this magnificent home would be a perfect
expression of our confidence in our community and our determination
to see it thrive again.
Please join us
in this coming year as we work toward a better future for
Bellevue.
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