A monument to the War of 1812
Canon ball the focus of Phelps gazebo
A monument to the War of 1812. A War of 1812-era canon ball is the focal point of a gazebo, donated by Phelps Homes, to be installed in the War of 1812 Peace Garden outside the Grimsby Pumphouse. Breaking ground on the project are, in front Brian Purdy, co-chair of the Grimsby War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee, and Greg Jonah, director of operations for Phelps Homes. In back are, Darlene Fraser, sales and marketing manager, Paul Phelps, president of Phelps Homes, and Heather Studnicka, architect designer. Amanda Street/Staff Photo
A War of 1812 era canon ball, found by Peter Phelps in a field, will be mounted into the stone work of a commemorative gazebo donated to the town by Phelps Homes. The gazebo, which will be taking shape in the next few weeks, is the final component of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Gardens, the first to be erected in Canada, located outside the Grimsby Pumphouse at the foot of Elizabeth Street.
“It makes it unique,” said Brian Purdy, co-chair of the Grimsby War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee, who approached Phelps Homes last year about donating a gazebo for the garden project. “Phelps Homes is doing a first-class job with it, I’m really impressed.”
It’s not just any gazebo either. Since the structure will also serve as a lasting legacy of Phelps Homes, the company went above and beyond to ensure the gazebo is well-suited for a garden honouring the 200 years of peace which have existed between Canada and the neighbouring United States, said Purdy. The gazebo also serves as a commemoration of the company’s 35 years in Grimsby.
“We wanted to bring the historical aspect of what happened at this site during the War of 1812 into to our design,” said Heather Studnicka, archictectural designer behind the project. “We wanted to incorporate some of that history.”
Since the Americans retreated to Fort George following the Engagement at The Forty, Studnicka based her design on the historical Niagara-on-the-Lake fort.
“Because they retreated to Fort George, we have basically mirrored the outline of the fort as the base for our gazebo,” sid Studnicka, who visited the heritage site run by Parks Canada several time while she worked on the design. “Most of the initial design came from an aerial shot of the fort, which we used to design the gazebo.”
As for the cannon ball, which is believed to be American, it will be mounted into the stone work as the focal point of the piece.
“This is really going to enhance the whole area,” said Purdy.
Plans are in the works for a ribbon cutting to take place in early October, when the site is officially designated as an international peace garden
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