Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Ontario Heritage Trust recognized the restoration efforts to Bath’s historic Ham House during last month’s Heritage Week celebrations.
Bonnie Cook and Ron Tasker, who led the revitalization project, were presented with a Lieutenant’s Governor’s Excellence in Conservation Heritage Award.
“The old Ham House was rapidly declining, and even at risk of demolition,” said Loyalist mayor Ric Bresee in a release. “Ron and Bonnie have put their heart and soul into this project and instead we now have a new crown jewel in the collection of important historic architecture in Bath.”
Shirley Bailey, president of the Frontenac Heritage Foundation agreed. “For more than 10 years, Bonnie and Ron with the assistance of their two children, have carefully restored Ham House with great attention to detail,” added Bailey in a release. “Many people support the protection of heritage buildings in the theoretical sense, but few put their aspiration into day-to-day actions like Bonnie and Ron.”
Located at 353 Main Street in Bath, the yellow coated home was built circa 1816 and was owned by George Ham, a sergeant in the militia during the War of 1812. According to the Ham House website HamHouseBath.com, he rose to the title of Lt. Colonel by 1837 and went on to become a Justice of the Peace.
Established in 2007, the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards are annual juried awards administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust to recognize remarkable achievements in heritage conservation. These achievements signal the important role that heritage conservation plays in Ontario’s communities, especially during this challenging time. In response to COVID-19, this year the award ceremony took place virtually as part of the Trust’s annual Heritage Week celebrations.