Aylmer Heritage Association Recognizes Five Heritage Buildings for their Unique Architecture

The Aylmer Heritage Association launched the celebration of its 50^th anniversary with a special event at the Cultural Center in Old Aylmer on October 24, 2024.  Reconnaissance 2024 Recognition paid tribute to five heritage buildings in Aylmer for their unique architecture, each of which reflects a particular era in the community’s history.

• Maison Pierre-Renaud, built in 1849, at 67, rue Denise-Friend, is a two-storey, wood-frame building recognized for having survived at the edge of the Great Aylmer Fire in 1921, and for its unique design in Aylmer.
• The Old Klondike Hotel, a wooden “Boomtown” house built in the 1880’s, at 29-31, rue du Couvent, reflects the architectural style that emerged in the settlement of the North American West, its name recalling the time of the Yukon Gold Rush.
• The red-brick flat-roofed commercial building, with its decorative elements, at 81-91, rue Principale, was built in 1923 following the Great Aylmer Fire.  It is a fine example of the “square box” style typical of commercial buildings in small towns of the time.
• The two wooden chalet-style cottages, at 100 and 108, rue de la Cédrière, were built in the 1920’s in the area known as “The Cedars”.  With an architectural style inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement, they maintain their original use as vacation cottages.

Approximately seventy heritage supporters from the local community and the broader city of Gatineau joined in the celebrations. Guests were treated to classical music performed by two young local musicians, a large screen display of photos of heritage buildings that had received recognition in previous years, and an opportunity to enjoy socializing and refreshments before the formal program.

Co-presidents Michel Parent and Enid Page spoke of the Association’s first Board meeting in 1974 in the Old Court House (formerly the Aylmer Town Hall and now the Cultural Center), at which the founding members recognized the importance of preserving the community’s heritage buildings and the environment surrounding them.  The founding members knew that development consistent with heritage was an economically viable route, an objective that is equally critical today.  The co-presidents gave a particularly warm welcome to several guests who were active in the Association’s early years.

Co-president Enid Page stated, “Aylmer Heritage Association is pleased with the extensive community support it has received over the past 50 years, from local citizens, the business community and from successive City Councils and administrations - without this we could not have engaged in protecting Aylmer’s rich heritage.  We most surely accept development, and we do so enthusiastically when urban planning respects existing heritage sites and ensures their protection and architectural integrity for the future.  To this end, we are committed to cooperating with the Ville de Gatineau.”

Co-president Michel Parent said, “The founding members proposed developing an inventory of heritage sites in Aylmer, an activity that was continued over the past 50 years.  Today the Association has some 1,000 files on heritage buildings, sites and related reference material, a source of excellent information on the heritage and history of Aylmer.  The City of Gatineau has hired a company to complete an inventory of all heritage buildings in the city, and we are pleased to make our information available to ensure that every heritage site in Aylmer is included in this important inventory that will contribute to the city’s urban planning decisions in the years ahead.”

Over the next twelve months, the Aylmer Heritage Association will hold various special events, open to the public, to mark its 50^th anniversary celebrations. The Association encourages all those interested in safeguarding Aylmer’s heritage for the benefit of future generations to join the Association as a tangible show of support.

The Aylmer Bulletin will publish articles about the buildings recognized during “Reconnaissance 2024 Recognition” in its upcoming issues.