Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Petch

The Petch Log House, Built To Last, Part I

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:42:19 +0000

Last August 2011 Petch log house was taken apart – the restoration process began. In September 2012 preparation for re-building the Petch log house started on John West Way, near the Aurora Senior Centre and the entrance to the Community Arboretum.

Petch Log House, Foundation, October 04, 2012

First it was a pit filled with gravel, then foundation poured and then the assembly started. I have been following and photographing re-building of the Petch log house since October. My very first visit and real photo shoot took place on October 26th. When I was on the site the house was already three logs high in some places.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, October 26, 2012.

Since that day I was showing up every few days. Mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some Fridays, when Matthew was in school. Watching it changing radically was interesting experience, photographing it was a rewarding experience.

I did upgrade my equipment since last year, new camera and new lenses, hopefully getting better too, and I can’t complain about the overcast skies I had through most of the initial re-construction of the house – all was just perfect, not to mention the hospitality of all those who worked on the site.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 1st, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 6th, 2012.

The house is now very close to the completion. If am not mistaken the wood siding installation started on Thursday or Friday of last week (December 13th, 14th).

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 6th, 2012.

The house is well reinforced with additional materials – two by fours wedged inside the window and door cutouts, solid wood wide window and door frames, square brackets on the corners where the logs are joined, and some new and modified logs that were heavily deteriorated.

The Petch log house is definitely built to last.

The Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 13th, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 13th, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 16th, 2012.

The roof rafters were built on the site. The roof was covered. So I thought they were done. Speaking of built to last, an engineered roof was added on top of the original roof to be shown in my next post. But it all started with the arrival of the big beam they put on top of the roof to start building secondary roof. I was told by Peter Van Nostrand that the big beam was coming at one o’clock, and right on the dot the beam came.

The story of the Petch log house will continue in the next post, however, let me leave you with a photo of the Petch house at sunset taken by my friend Peter Cameron. Click here to view.

The Big Beam, Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 16th, 2012.

The Petch House, A New Journey

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 05:19:38 +0000

The Petch house is getting a lot of attention in THE AURORA and The Banner lately. Lengthy articles are written. Columns are filled with letters to the editor. The Petch house itself is being prepared for the move.

Fenced Petch House

The chain link fence now surrounds the house. Little by little, patched up areas are being cleaned off the outside walls or surface of the logs – evidence of contrast between faded and darker wetter surface areas. The corners are now strapped and supported, especially the one which were slowly sliding out and deteriorating. Not sure, but the inside is probably being cleaned out as well.

Petch House, Strapping

After sitting on the lot on Leslie Street, just south of Wellington Street East for many years now, the Petch house starts a new journey. Its destiny for a while was in a jeopardy. There is a hope, but what’s next? A battle to determine if the house should really be placed in the Community Arboretum beside the Aurora Town Hall.

Petch House, Back

Aha, the plan and the location requested by the Friends of Petch house was clear – in Petchville near the Stronach Recreation Complex and the Urban Wildlife Park to be authentic as possible. Now we are in the pulling-a-rope-mode again. Why can’t we just help the Friends of the Petch house to follow their plan and vision, instead of altering. I see costly battle in the horizon.

Petch House, Facing Sun

I personally met Ms. Katherine Belrose who is the driving force behind saving the log house. Because of her motivation, courage and personal investment both time and monetary, the town should grant her full control to lead the project. Her vision and path is clear. Her interest is pure. She is the person to trust right now.

Petch House

This is something to think about. The Petch house is a relic of our town and it should be preserved. The proper location for the house to grow its new roots is also an important factor in its new journey.

Petch House, My First Visit

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:43:16 +0000

In couple of days I will explore the insides of the Petch House located on Leslie Street, Town of Aurora, and I will be allowed to take some pictures. Stayed tuned for an update and my experience of a life in early 1800s.Too bad that someone already lived there, and not everything is original, but still I am excited. My first visit was about a week ago. I walked around and too few nice pictures. The front has the Flying Club sign – it kind of sucks, because just did not belong there on my photo.

Petch House, Town of Aurora