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The Citizen, 2015-11-05, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015. PAGE 11. Both heritage projects will include museums Continued from page 10 co-ordinator, who suggested that he participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the project. His was chosen and work soon began thereafter. The building, Rutledge said, looks like it could have been a church or a council chambers due to its architecture, but served as neither. For a number of reasons, the building needed to be restored and Rutledge was brought in as the right man for the job. In addition to its importance to the community, Rutledge says the house was home to a number of “firsts” in the First Nations communities of North America, so its importance can’t be overstated. It’s not just an important building to the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, but to First Nations communities throughout Canada and all of North America. Similarly, the Fugitive Slave Chapel, constructed over 165 years ago, has an important story to tell in the North American narrative and it fell into disrepair, Rutledge is the person being asked to make it great again. The chapel played host to many fleeing slaves who made their way to Canada via the Underground Railroad, and when it needed work done, the Fugitive Slave Chapel Preservation Project was formed. For his role in the project, Rutledge has received extensive media coverage, including by the London Free Press. The project is very similar to his plans for the Council House, Rutledge said, although the Slave Chapel is in much worse condition than the Council House. The hope is that the building can be restored, used as a community and cultural centre and expanded upon to include a museum to tell the area’s story. The re-location of the church, which has already taken place, is also an important part of the story. The Fugitive Slave Chapel is now located on Grey Street in London, beside Beth Emanuel Church, the church which essentially expanded out of the Slave Chapel. With heritage buildings his specialty, Rutledge says he feels a special connection to projects like the Council House and the Slave Chapel, and like local restorations he’s taken on, such as the Brussels Library several years ago. He says he’s committed his life to preserving these buildings because as generations disappear, the buildings remain to tell the story. “If we don’t do something to preserve our own history,” Rutledge said, “it’s in danger of being lost forever.” He said that Huron County has a “good stock” of historic buildings and has been good about preserving them, which pleases him as a Brussels native to know that history isn’t being lost. He used the Cardno Hall in Seaforth as an example, saying that his grandparents used to go there and dance, but his parents never did. If that building isn’t preserved, he said, that’s an entire generation’s stories that would be lost with no one to tell them. He also feels that, aside from the historical aspect, some people are quick to jump to the conclusion that a building has outlived its usefulness without looking at the situation objectively. Very often, heritage buildings can be restored, maintaining that sense of history while keeping a fully- functional building alive, without as much effort and work as is often assumed. Rutledge has completed the research phase of both projects and is now hard at work making plans ahead of the construction stage, which should begin next year. The three fires The three fires in front of the Council House, Rutledge says, are crucial to the community’s culture, and will be integrated into the renovation of the Council House. (Photo submitted) HADEN FLOOD Buyer - Harvey Transport JACOB FLOOD Buyer - Walton Inn ALEX MacDONALD Buyer - Johnson Livestock Trucking CONOR GREENWOOD Buyer - Thur Transport LUANNE McGREGOR Buyer - Millgrove Meat Packers TIM MIDDELKAMP Buyer - Hill Valley Equipment JANETTE PLAETZER Buyer - MGM Townsend Tire HILLARY SCHRAMM Buyer - Linwood Vet Services GARET SMUCK Buyer - Paul Johnston Farms RYAN SMUCK Buyer - Brussels Agromart EVY VERSCHAEVE Buyer - Dave Franken Concrete Forming JEFF WALDEN Buyer - Snobelen Farms Ltd. ZACH WALDEN Buyer - Howatt Bros. Ltd. MAX JOHNSTON Buyer - B & L Farm Services AIRK MacDONALD Buyer - Rick Smith Farms KABRINA BISHOP Buyer - Hollis Wealth Management ALYCIA COULTES Buyer - Libro Financial GRAHAM FALCONER Buyer - Leslie Motors We would also like to thank our other supporters: Brussels Livestock, Howick Mutual Insurance, Sholdice Insurance, Trillium Insurance, Brussels Agri Services and all other buyers and bidders that help make the day a success.