The Marine Heritage Society in Saugeen Shores has been recognized province-wide for its restoration work on the Saugeen River Front Range Light in Southampton.
They are the recipients of an architectural restoration award by the Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO).
The ACO is made up of professional architects, designers, and heritage experts who volunteer their skills and advocacy for the preservation of heritage buildings.
The ‘pepper pot’ range light, which is often photographed by admirers, was built in 1903. It pairs with a rear range light further upriver and they allow boaters to visually align their passage into the Southampton Harbour. Its lights and foghorn are kept operational.
The lighthouse saw a lot of damage in the winters of 2019 and 2020 due to storms and high water levels and the Marine Heritage Society worked through the pandemic to fundraise (through online events) for the work. Local businesses, tradespeople and the community donated their time and money. The range light had interior rot, pests, lead paint and other issues.
The work is now complete, and it included replacing 3,700 shingles with cedar shakes and added air gaps on either side of the cedar shakes so they can dry on both sides. The also added galvanized steel angle irons around the base to deflect waves. They reinforced the interior stairs and put in new glass and a new door.
A release from the Marine Heritage Society says the award ceremony was held at the Arta Gallery in Toronto’s historic Distillery District.
There were 33 nominees in 11 categories. The Marine Heritage Society was the recipient of the Peter Stokes Restoration Award for small-scale projects.
Marine Heritage Society board members Deb Kaufman, Vicki Tomori, and Chair Wayne Kaufman attended the ceremony to accept the award.
Wayne Kaufman says in a statement, “It was a privilege for MHS volunteers to work on the restoration and we are honoured the ACO recognizes the Range Light as a beacon of community cooperation for other groups follow.”
The Marine Heritage Society was nominated by the Saugeen Shores Municipal Heritage Committee. Chair Cheryl Grace says in a statement, “While the Range Light restoration was considered a small-scale project by the judging standards, it required a big-time effort to fundraise and repair the beacon. The town is grateful to the Marine Heritage Society for leading the community effort and to the ACO for recognizing this important landmark.”
Peter Stokes, (1926 – 2013) for whom the award is named, was one of Canada’s most notable restoration architects, with a lasting influence seen in preserved buildings in Upper Canada Village, Ottawa’s capital region, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and other locations across Canada.
