Time: 20 March 2009, noon
Location: Provencher Room, Fort Garry Hotel
Tickets: $50 each with a $20 tax receipt
Heritage Winnipeg feels that our built heritage has been under particular seige recently. In 2008 the organization made appearances before Winnipeg City Council advocating protection for threatened old buildings; it lobbied for tax grants and incentives for owners of heritage buildings and for improvements in design processes.
The immediate concern is Kelly House. Built at 88 Adelaide Street in 1882 as the residence for prominent building contractor Michael Kelly, by 1902 the ownership of the house had transferred to his brother Thomas Kelly. Scandal erupted around the Kellys in 1912 during construction of the Manitoba Legislature over its skyrocketing costs. A Royal Commission was struck. Thomas Kelly fled the city and most of his assets, including the Kelly House, were seized. The house has had several owners and has been vacant for several years, facing threats from encroachment by the surrounding commercial area, vandalism, and age.
More information on Kelly House (City of Winnipeg web site)
Kelly House will be the focus of this luncheon. Heritage Winnipeg is preparing a presentation on the contributions made by Thomas Kelly to the built heritage of our city. He was involved in the construction of many landmark buildings, not just the provincial Legislature.
The theme of the lunch will be:
The House That Ruined a Government
Special Presentation: The Roblin / Kelly ScandalThomas Kelly will make a special appearance to explain his role in the scandal that brought down the government of Rodmond Roblin.
An update will be given on the Upper Fort Garry project.
For more information or to purchase tickets to this luncheon, please contact:
Heritage Winnipeg
Telephone: 204-942-2663
Email: info@heritagewinnipeg.com
Web: www.heritagewinnipeg.com
Posted: 19 February 2009
