Provincial Marine returns original Gordon House wallpaper to town’s tourism department

Kidd added: “Back in the day, wallpaper was used in specific rooms and not so much in others.”

Accepting the donation was manager of tourism and culture Anne Rota and tourism co-ordinator Sarah Van Grinsven. Van Grinsven said there is wallpaper upstairs at the Gordon House that replicates the original that was donated. She added there is wallpaper at the Duff-Baby House in Windsor that replicates Gordon House wallpaper as well.” headquarters for Project H.M.S. Detroit.”

Kidd added the Provincial Marine is trying to strengthen ties with other historical organizations in Amherstburg, noting they are working closely with the Friends of Fort Malden and Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada. He said there is “a lot of history in Amherstburg” and wants the groups to communicate with each other to promote it more.

By Ron Giofu

A little piece of history returned to its original location last Friday morning. A piece of wallpaper that was in the Gordon House in the 1800s was returned to that historic building after being discovered recently by the Provincial Marine re-enactment unit. The Provincial Marine is based out of the Commissariat in King’s Navy Yard Park and discovered a framed piece of wallpaper in their basement. On the back of the frame, it was written:

“In 1798, one of the grandest homes was built in Amherstburg by a Scottish merchant George Sharp. When it was sold to the third owner James Gordon, it became known as the Gordon House. It has been known as the Gordon House off and on for almost 200 years. In 1996 the Gordon House will be the new

Provincial Marine president Dale Kidd said they have no idea how they acquired the wallpaper, but they assume it was donated by an original member of the unit. He said there is no record of who donated it.

“It’s a piece of old, probably original, wallpaper,” said Kidd. “When we came across it, we thought it was important to return it to the Gordon House.”

The Provincial Marine plans to open the Commissariat more this summer through the use of a student employee.

“We certainly have a lot of ideas to move forward with,” said Kidd.

Rota said the town was grateful and appreciative to accept the donation from the Provincial Marine.

“Quite simply, it’s groups like the Provincial Marine that make Amherstburg a special place to live, work and play,” she said.

Rotary Club’s Easter Seals fish fry dinner in memory of Martin Breshamer coming this Friday

Special to the RTT

The Rotary Club of Amherstburg will be hosting its annual Easter Seals Dinner (Fish Fry) on Friday, March 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Columbus Hall, corner of Richmond and Balaclava Streets.

The dinner funds opportunities for children and adults with physical disabilities and is named in honour of the late Martin Breshamer, Club past president, who created the dinner locally. Martin was a quiet pillar of the community through his many past activities including Seagrams Plant Manager, chairman of United Way and the McGivney Children’s Rehab Centre, board member of Park House Museum, organizer of the Windsor Symphony Christmas Concerts, fundraiser for St. John the Baptist Church Restoration Fund, helper of small business (Essex Community Future Development Corp.), organizer for many local projects, such as Rotary’s Town Clock.

The Rotary Club of Amherstburg is a vibrant part of the community through its many activities and accomplishments, as in the past and upcoming are hockey games with NHL alumni stars, the Easter Seals Dinner, Beef in the Burg, Ribfest, Town Clock at foot of Richmond Street, paving stones in King’s Navy Yard Park parkette.

New Rotary Club members are always welcome.

For more information on the club or its events, call 519-736-5728 or e-mail the Rotary Club at rotaryclubofamherstburg@gmail.com.