L 2-1 HERITAGE REPORT: REASONS FOR HERITAGE DESIGNATION. Cheyne Family Cemetery. Main Street South

Transcription

1 L 2-1 HERITAGE REPORT: REASONS FOR HERITAGE DESIGNATION Cheyne Family Cemetery Main Street South October 2013

2 L 2-2 PROFILE OF SUBJECT PROPERTY: Municipal Address Main Street South (Lot 14, Con 1, EHS) PIN Number Roll Number Legal Description CON 1 EHS PT LOTS 13, 14 RP 43R18711 PARTS 1 TO 4 Ward Number 3 Property Name Chenye Family Cemetery Current Owner City of Brampton Owner Concurrence Yes Current Zoning Current Use(s) Cemetery Construction Date Mid 19 th century Notable Owners or Occupants Heritage Resources on Subject Property Cultural heritage landscape, Cemetery-Burial Site Relevant Council Resolutions Additional Information

3 L Current Situation: The Cheyne family cemetery on Main Street South is worthy of designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value or interest. The property meets the criteria for designation prescribed by the Province of Ontario under the three categories of design or physical value, historical value and contextual value. The property meets the criteria for designation prescribed by the Province of Ontario under Ontario Heritage Act Regulation 9/06. The property was listed in the Municipal Register of Cultural Heritage Resources in It was rated a Category A. 2. Description of Property : The cemetery fronts along Main Street South and is shaped like a square. Its frontage is 92 feet and its total area is 0.19 acres. The cemetery is flat except for the far western edge, which slopes upwards (see Figure 4). The cemetery is gated with a wrought iron fence. Cheyne cemetery was in use from the mid 19 th century until 1906 and was originally surrounded by the Cheyne and Graham family lands. A Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was once located adjacent to the cemetery. It is now surrounded by commercial and housing developments on all sides. 3. Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest: The subject property is the site of a historic Euro-Canadian Cemetery. The Cheyne Family Cemetery was established about Andrew Cheyne, Christopher Cheyne, Joseph Graham and other Irish families settled in this area after travelling from the United States, following the War of The Cheyne and Graham families were deeded lands surrounding this cemetery. In 1856 the families donated land for the establishment of a Wesleyan Chapel (once located adjacent to the cemetery). The cemetery closed in It contains approximately 37 known burials. The cultural heritage value of the Zion Cemetery is related to its design or physical value as a representative example of a rural historic Euro-Canadian cemetery. The Cemetery holds several early, hand carved tombstones containing well executed and beautiful motifs and symbols. The markers are of the slab, block and obelisk forms, and are made of marble, limestone or granite. In 1991, 17 grave shafts were identified in a portion of the site subject to road widening. Certain graves were exhumed under the direction of a licensed archaeologist and reinterred in another portion of the cemetery. The many heritage attributes in the cemetery (including several early tombstones) are a symbol of the people who helped shape the character and development of Brampton. It also represents the contributions made to the early history by Irish settlers.

4 L 2-4 The setting and landscaping elements form an interesting urban green space in a part of the City that is now heavily developed. One mature deciduous tree is standing in the centre of the cemetery. The cemetery is representative of the early history of European settlement in Brampton. The statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the property, including a description of the heritage attributes of the property along with all other components of the Heritage Report: Statement of Reasons for Heritage Designation, constitute the reason for heritage designation required under the Ontario Heritage Act. 4. Description of Heritage Attributes: Unless otherwise indicated, the reason for designation apply generally to all exterior elevations, facades, foundation, roof and roof trim, all doors, windows, other structural openings and associated trim, all architectural detailing, construction materials of wood, stone, brick, plaster parging, metal and glazing and related building techniques, fencing, all trees, shrubs, hedgerows, other vegetation and the grounds and vistas generally. To ensure that the cultural heritage value of this property is conserved, certain heritage attributes that contribute to its value have been identified specifically and they include: Design / Physical Value: Representative example of a rural historic Euro-Canadian Cemetery; Early hand-carved tombstones; Marble, limestone or granite markers, of slab, block and obelisk forms. Historical / Associative Value: Spiritual value as the burial site of an indeterminate number of 19 th century Euro- Canadians and other persons; Represents the contribution made by early Irish settlers to Brampton s early history. Contextual Value: Surrounded by a great deal of urban development; The site consist of one mature deciduous tree which stands at the centre of the cemetery; The site contains a commemorative plaque erected by the City of Brampton in Alteration History and Heritage Integrity: The cemetery was altered at least once. In 1991, 17 grave shafts were identified in a portion of the site subject to road widening. Several graves were exhumed under the direction of a licensed archaeologist and reinterred in another portion of the cemetery. Despite this alteration, the cemetery s heritage value remains intact.

5 L Archaeological Potential: The subject property has archaeological potential as a cemetery. 7. Policy Framework: In the context of land use planning, the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) states that the wise use and management of Ontario s cultural heritage resources is a key provincial interest. The relevant policy statement in the PPS is Section 2.6.1, which states that significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved. Section is linked to Section 3 of the Ontario Planning Act which stipulates that land use planning decisions by municipalities shall be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statements. The policy is also integrated with the Ontario Heritage Act. This piece of legislation grants municipalities powers to preserve locally significant cultural heritage resources through heritage designation. Decisions as to whether a property should be designated or not is based solely on its inherent cultural heritage value or interest. City Council prefers to designate heritage properties with the support of property owners. However, Council will designate a property proactively, without the concurrence of a property owner as required The relevant Brampton Official Plan policies are as follows: Section : All significant heritage resources shall be designated as being of cultural heritage value or interest in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act to help ensure effective protection and their continuing maintenance, conservation and restoration. Section : Priority will be given to designating all heritage cemeteries and all Class A heritage resources in the Cultural Heritage Resources Register under the Ontario Heritage Act.

6 L 2-6 Section : The City will give immediate consideration to the designation of any heritage resource under the Ontario Heritage Act if that resource is threatened with demolition, significant alterations or other potentially adverse impacts. These principles are also guided by recognized best practices in the field of heritage conservation. 8. References and Acknowledgments: Archaeological Services Inc., Archaeological Investigation of The Cheyne Cemetery. January, Byrne, Beatrice. Zion Cemetery. Peel Heritage Complex, Roulston, Pauline. Place Names of Peel: Past and Present. Cheltenham, Ontario: The Boston Mills Press, Historical Atlas of Peel County Published by Walker and Miles. Cassandra Jasinski

7 L LOCATION MAPS: Map 1: Map of cemetery Map 2: Aerial Map

8 L IMAGES: Figure 1: View of the border of Cheyne Cemetery facing north.

9 L 2-9 Figure 2: View of Cheyne Cemetery from its northeastern corner. Figure 3: Cheyne Cemetery plaque on the east side of the memorial cairn.

10 L 2-10 Figure 4: Slope of Cheyne Cemetery on the west side. Figure 5: Abagail Cheyne tablet, set in the ground.

11 L 2-11 Figure 6: Damaged memorials/misplaced memorial bases along the eastern fence of Cheyne cemetery.

12 L 2-12 Figure 7: Excerpt from the archaeological investigation prepared by Archaeological Services Inc, January 1991.