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Abandoned Places & Spaces focuses on the disappearing built heritage of former Artemesia Township, Grey County. This exhibit aims to look at these abandoned places, and considers what efforts we take to preserve our built heritage, if any at all. Buildings come down, are transformed for new uses or meet with catastrophe such as fire. The streetscape changes and we move on.
Like most rural Ontario towns, the villages in the former Artemesia Township were settled in the mid-late 19th century and many of the original buildings and industry are long gone, are currently deteriorating, or have been transformed for other use – their original purpose forgotten. One example of an abandoned place in Artemesia Township is the Flesherton Schoolhouse. Built in 1891, this yellow-brick building was abandoned in 1970 and lay vacant until it burnt down in 2008. The youth of Flesherton, for the most part, were not aware that it existed until it was gone.
For many people in the area, these old buildings evoke strong memories or are seen as the focal point of their community. The Town Square and the historic downtown are considered quaint and a strong tourist draw. For others, they are a masterpiece of architecture and the efforts at preservation are applauded – they are the “Grand Dames” of our towns. Some see them as old buildings standing in the way of progress. In some cases, they are considered an eyesore that needs to be repaired or torn down.
Using historical and present day images, the exhibit challenges how you view the buildings (or empty lots) in your own local communities. This exhibit also includes a contemporary painting by Bonnie Gardiner and striking photographs donated by Bruce Brigham, as well as examples of tools used to create our built heritage. These alternative interpretations of local places and spaces give our historical structures new value.
Abandoned Places & Spaces began as a project in the local schools. The project included a program geared at educating our youth as to their local history, using tangible and visual cues they see everyday as they travel and live in Grey Highlands.
