Leaderless preservation group soldiers on

 

by Shelbey Hernandez

The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario in Windsor is continuing to fight for the preservation of architecture in Windsor and Essex County following the death of their president, Pat Malicki.

Malicki died Jan. 12 from injuries she sustained in a house fire. The organization remains unsure of who will fill her position. The organization has nine members and all but three are currently on vacation and unable to discuss potential candidates. Lynn Baker, a member of the board of directors, said the work of preserving architecture will continue even though replacing Malicki will be difficult.

The ACO’s Windsor Branch’s has been around since 1995, when Hiram Walker announced it would tear down the former Walkerville Town Hall building. It was built in 1904 by architect Albert Kahn. Since the building is one of the oldest in Windsor and was designed by a renowned architect, it is considered a significant part of Windsor’s identity. This led to the formation of Preserve Old Walkerville Committee in order to stop the demolition and have the building moved instead. That committee became officially known as the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario—Windsor Region Branch.

Since then, Baker said the organization has worked to preserve churches in St. Joachim, Ont. and Stoney Point, Ont. The ACO Windsor Region Branch has also released a series of short films documented by Baker called Heritage Highlights which show the different architectural structures in Windsor that need to be protected. These short films were funded by CBC and the Windsor Heritage Committee.

“Pat’s argument has been that if somebody said, ‘Gee, you got asbestos in your house,’ are you going to rip your house down? No, you’re going to take it out. If your furnace was broken, would you knock your house down? No, you would fix the furnace,” said Baker. “Pat always said, the greenest building is the one that already exists.”

Baker said there are a few buildings on the agenda right now which the ACO in Windsor is looking to protect. One of the buildings is Windsor’s City Hall, which is currently on the chopping block. Members of the ACO said the building may not be the most beautiful building in Windsor, but it was built by a well-known architect and should be protected.

Architecture students at St. Clair College are taught about architectural preservation and the history of architecture in Windsor and around the world. Frank Perissinotti usually teaches for the Architectural Technology program, but also teaches some courses for the Civil Engineering program. He has taught at the college for 25 years. One of the courses he teaches is History of Architecture, where students sketch different architecturally-significant buildings and learn about the importance of preserving architecture. His hope, like Baker, is to teach his students to have a desire to protect architecture.

“Built heritage is the symbol and container of our past, its values, its tastes and its talents. Thus it is key to understanding the people who created it,” said Richard Longley, the ACO president. “Heritage is remarkably adaptable to the present and the future, for environmental and practical reasons. Built heritage is also a powerful magnet for tourists as well as for new businesses and industries.”

Architectural preservation has extended outside of the main architectural preservation organizations in Windsor. According to Baker, there are more people who are becoming involved in the preservation of architecture through programs like Doors Open and through organizations such as the Windsor Heritage Committee and ACO. Doors Open was another group that was created by Malicki. Through Doors Open, the public is able to take a tour of businesses and buildings that are normally closed to the public. Anyone can walk into buildings which are often closed and take a look at the architectural work done inside and outside. According to Baker, The MediaPlex building is scheduled to be the next candidate for Doors Open in September.

The next local meeting for the ACO is scheduled for April 2. Baker said by then, all the members will be present so they can discuss who will replace Malicki. Until then, the members continue to keep an eye out for architectural structures in need of preservation.