RESTORATION
Preserving and maintaining the Devereaux farmhouse
What do we do with this old house?
The Town of Halton Hills has owned the Devereaux property since 1999. It sits on a site adjacent to a community cemetery and a large sports complex of playing fields. In December 2004, at the request of Heritage Halton Hills and the Esquesing Historical
Society, the Town of Halton Hills Council supported the tendering of a proposal "to secure and maintain the site to prevent further deterioration of the house/site with the understanding that the funding of the works would be explored at a future date." A citizens' committee, "The Friends of Devereaux House," operating initially under the umbrella of the Esquesing Historical Society, formed in January 2005 to develop a strategy to secure, preserve and maintain the Devereaux farmhouse as a public rural heritage property for the use, education and enjoyment of Halton Hills residents.
The Friends worked tirelessly for 4 years, raising money, coordinating work parties, finding ways to meet the many building codes and regulations, researching heritage issues. The Friends and many of Halton Hills community service clubs provided hundreds of hours of volunteer time.
The Friends of Devereaux House
Renovate or restore?
At first, the plan was to completely renovate the house, but when it was revealed that the house was full of so many architectural and original features, the plan changed to a restoration. The Friends raised over $500,000 in cash, grants and donations in kind (labour, services and goods) Green Propeller Design, the architectural firm, was chosen because of their focus on sustainable building practices.
Skilled labourers and craftsmen, both volunteer and professional, worked together to bring the house back to it’s former charming state. Carpenters donated their time to restore and replicate the original trim and wainscotting throughout the house. The east front door facing Trafalgar Road was closed and sealed.
It was probably rarely used in any case because access to the house was so much more convenient from the south facing side door. That door, hallway, and staircase were completely restored. The two front rooms facing Trafalgar were combined to form one large parlour.
Heating, cooling and lighting
The early Rumford fireplace, in the south parlour, was celebrated as an efficient design since it reflected more heat back into the room. The fireplace was decommissioned and is now non functional. The entire house was rewired and insulated, and modern plumbing was installed to meet building codes. The decision was made to install energy conserving systems wherever possible. A state of the art, ground source, geo thermal heat pump system, which handles winter heating and summer cooling was installed outside and in.
A leading edge biofilter waste water treatment system was installed and results in significantly reduced land use for weeping beds. Overhead electrical lighting was not possible in the 1880s, lighting was provided by oil lamps and candles which could not be used today.
Low voltage LED lighting was installed, which is hidden behind trim and valances. The lighting system provides a level of light similar to what would have been experienced in a 19th century home. Since a high volume of hot water is not needed for a building without laundry and shower requirements, on-demand, tankless, electrical hot water heaters were installed in the kitchen and bathrooms.
The Friends of Devereaux House were the 2009 Winners of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce “Green Award” and were honoured by the Trillium Foundation for their innovation and leadership in restoring this unique property.
Constructing the waste water system
Conserving more than energy
The Region of Halton Heritage Services worked with the Friends to highlight the historic character and details of the house. When you visit, look for the round “LOOK INSIDE” markers throughout the house to learn more about the history of the house and the families who lived here.
Today and tomorrow
In 2009 Devereaux House, restored and upgraded with modern facilities, reopened. The Friends currently rent the second storey of the building to the Georgetown Soccer Club for its administrative offices, and the main floor, decorated to the late 1800’s, is available to the public for receptions and meetings on a rental basis.
The vista created by the house and its surroundings are unique and will become more precious as Halton Hills grows and transforms from rural to urban in nature.