Photo Celia Hunter.
The wrought iron cresting on the Tuscan tower Deyell House has been faithfully replicated thanks to owners Art and Vera Tarasuk and blacksmith Douglas Morlock.
Millbrook experienced a boost in its heritage value and a fresh injection of pride this past month when the owners of 37 King Street East, Art and Vera Tarasuk, celebrated two achievements.
The first might be described as “the crowning glory” of this beautifully maintained residence known as the Robert Deyell House. Named for the original owner, son of founding entrepreneur John Deyell, this 1870 house features a Tuscan tower with wrought iron cresting. In recent years, the wrought iron has been crumbling. Art Tarasuk took the problem to Warkworth blacksmith Douglas Morlock who creates fine metal art. The cresting was faithfully reproduced and installed.
The Robert Deyell House is one of more than 45 properties designated as being of historical interest in Millbrook and the surrounding area. Each of these properties bears a plaque naming the property and the date it was constructed. These plaques were originally designed and allocated by the Millbrook Architectural Conservancy Advisory Committee in the mid 1980s. But the plaque for 37 King Street East had gone missing.
Undeterred by the loss, and rightly proud of the designation, Art and Vera had a new plaque made at their own expense. The new plaque was put in place on October 5, and, along with the installation of the new cresting, was marked by a celebration by the owners along with members of the Historical Society and the Heritage Committee.
Our municipality has been recently updating its by-laws in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act. Designation is a way for owners to express pride in the heritage value of their property and protect particular heritage features and cultural attributes. Heritage designation is considered to contribute to both local quality of life and economic development, supporting community renewal and cultural tourism.
The Historical Society has been highlighting some of the history wrapped up in our local architecture with two illustrated presentations at the Millbrook branch of Cavan Monaghan Libraries. A free booklet featuring some of our designated properties, Heritage Millbrook – A Self-Guided Tour of Historic Millbrook, is available at the libraries and at retail outlets in Millbrook. To inquire about designating your own property, please contact the Director of Planning at the Cavan Monaghan Municipal Office.
By Celia Hunter
