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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD

SUBJECT:

The Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald Grave Site Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report Cataraqui Cemetary Kingston, Ontario

TO:

Madame Julie Dompierre, Director Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Secretariat Les Terrasses de la Chaudire 25, Eddy Street, Gatineau, 5th floor Quebec K1A 0M5

FOR:

National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


PREPARED BY: Shelley Bruce Conservation Certification Advisor Heritage Programs Branch Parks Canada Vancouver, BC February 14, 2012

DATE:

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION DATE OF INSPECTION: PC FIELD UNIT CONTACT: September 14, 2011 Jennifer Duquette National Historic Sites Program Manager Eastern Ontario 613.449.4702 Partly cloudy, 18oC

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENT: Located within the greater Kingston area, the Cataraqui Cemetery was established in 1850 as a non-denominational cemetery. Today, it is Kingston's principal burying ground. Occupying over 90 acres of picturesque rolling hills, mature trees and range of planting, various ponds and scenic vistas, it is one Canada's first and best examples of a medium-sized rural or garden cemetery. It has a range of noteworthy monuments of historic and artistic merit, a Gothic Revival-style Lodge carefully designed to complement the naturalistic and picturesque values of the site, and a number of attractive painted iron and zinc sculptures from the second half of the 19th century. The cemetery has seen few changes and is in a good state of conservation. It is the final resting place of many prominent political, economic and social leaders, including Canadas first Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald. The Cataraqui Cemetery is working closely with City of Kingston planners on a by-law that would designate the cemetery as a Heritage Site under Ontario Provincial legislation. It is hoped that with an Ontario Heritage Site Designation, coupled with the 2012 recognition as a national historic site, Cataraqui Cemetery historic value and character would be fully protected.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT

The Macdonald family plot is located on Beech Avenue within Cataraqui Cemetery. There are several directional signs pointing the way to the plot. The family plot extends over sloping ground that runs along a small escarpment parallel to and a short distance from, the cemetery roadway. At the roadway is the Canadian flag, the 125th plaque and the awareness panel all set within an extensively planted bed of shrubs, perennials and annuals. Visitors follow a narrow flagstone walkway and sets of stairs to the family plot which can be accessed from both the west and east. The family plot is a rectangular piece of flat ground surrounded by an ornate cast iron fence. Within the fence are two trees and lush grass. Near the centre of the plot is a tall granite obelisk that bears the names of Macdonald and Williamson, the two interrelated families buried in this plot. Macdonald is memorialised in several ways within the plot and the other eight family members are recognised with granite footstones set at grade. The Right Honourable Sir John A. Macdonald's grave site is unique because it is recognised as a national historic site. It was commemorated in 1938 as the burial site of Canada's first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation. There is no plaque associated with this commemoration.
[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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2.0 COMPONENTS OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 1. Awareness Panel

Description: Adjacent to the roadway is a U-shaped planted area and a flag stone pathway. Off the pathway to the right is the cast aluminum awareness panel installed on a limestone and concrete base. Observation: At the 2005 assessment, it was noted that the red paint on the Canadian flag and on the Canada word mark was wearing away. It has since been repainted but the painted edges are starting to chip. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Continue to monitor the integrity of the paint.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


Observation: The concrete base continues to accumulate soil splash. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Every spring and fall the base could be cleaned with fresh water and a soft brush to remove the debris. Alternatively, another row of matching pavers could be installed around the base to create a buffer zone.

Observation: The finish on the lower half edge of the portrait cameo is starting to deteriorate. Recommended Action: Medium Priority: Contact the panel manufacturer to determine how to remediate to deterioration. If there is no specifications available for this type of work, sand and repaint to match.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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2. Flagpole

Description: Also at the U-shaped planting bed is the installation of the bronze 125th plaque that shares the same concrete base as the black anodized tapered aluminum flagpole. Observation: The plastic lining for the flag ring has now started to deteriorate. There are several areas of wear along the height of the flag pole where the anodized black finish has been worn away. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Contact the flagpole manufacturer to determine what implications the loss of the black coating has on the life of the flagpole. If required, replace the flag ring.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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3. 125th Confederation Anniversary Plaque

Description: Also at the U-shaped planting bed is the installation of the bronze 125th plaque that shares the same concrete base as the black anodized tapered aluminum flagpole.

Observation: The 125th Anniversary Plaque's gold finished boarder has several scratches along the bottom. Also a dark mucky substance has spilled over the top left corner. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Refinish the plaque following the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada specifications for plaque repairs. Ensure the face of the plaque is clean of any debris by periodically washing with fresh water and a soft brush.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: At the base of the plaque lawn debris collects. The concrete base is starting to seriously discolor. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: As maintenance staff completes their routine, debris can be removed by hand. Fresh water and a gentle scrubbing with a soft brush may lessen the staining on the concrete.

4. Former Prime Ministers Grave Marker

Description: Macdonald is memorialized in a number of ways within the family plot including a number of small plaques plus a grave marker. The grave marker is a grey granite cross sitting on a matching rectangular granite base. On the southwest face is a very legible inscription: John Alexander Macdonald 1851 - 1891 At Rest

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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There is also a four-sided obelisk of polished red granite on a two-tiered grey limestone base. The names Macdonald and Williamson are carved in relief on alternating sides of the base.

Observation: The mould that was noticed in 2005 is still evident and is discoloring the surface of the granite marker in various locations. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: The granite marker should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents.

Observation: At the rear face of the granite marker, the grass is dying back from the base thereby exposing the footing. Recommended Action: Medium Priority: Determine the cause for the dying grass behind the marker. Maintenance staff may need to top dress and reseed to fill in the patch.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: The Macdonald/Williamson granite obelisk is in good condition. As noted in 2005, the limestone base is cracked on the front and the spalling continues. The hairline crack through the prime minister's name is still evident. The mortar between the two units is still breaking loose and falling out as it was in 2001. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored. If leaning or mortar integrity issues are noted, appropriate leveling and repointing of the mortar will be required.

Observation: Around the back side of the obelisk, there are other cracks and instances of spalling Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: Half way up the granite portion of the obelisk, mould is now evident. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: The granite on the family marker should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents.

5. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

Description: The overall site is quiet. Located next to the cemetery roadway, it consists of a small garden area which leads down a small slope to the fenced family plot. Both areas are grassed and contain a variety of trees, shrubs and bedding plants. Many of the specimens were planted in 1982. Some of the shrubs have already been removed and replaced by other annuals and perennials.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: The planting bed along the cemetery road is in very good condition and is well maintained with a variety of annuals and perennials. However some weeding could be done. The two burning bushes are now gone. Recommended Action: Low Priority: Maintenance staff need to ensure that routine weeding of the planting beds is part of the garden routine. When the site plans are updated, the existence and location of shrubs should be updated.

Observation: The grass is worn away at the top of the slope and in a variety of other locations including with the fenced plot. Recommended Action: High Priority: The slope and other areas throughout the site should be top dressed and reseeded with a mulch to keep it in place.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


Observation: The lawn within the iron fence is still infested with broad-leaf weeds and the grass has begun to grow into the planted edges. Recommended Action: High Priority: As this is a national historic site, the use of herbicides for cosmetic reasons is not encouraged. A safe alternative to herbicides for the control of broad-leaf weeds in lawn is corn gluten meal. The family plot inside the fence should be treated with corn gluten meal over the next three years following the manufacturers directions.

Observation: In the back corner is a weeping birch. It has easily tripled in size since the site's 2001 conservation maintenance plan. It may be encroaching on the plot and the footstones located beneath it in a way that was not intended. A row of four variegated Euonymus shrubs that used to be along the back fence are now gone. Recommended Action: High Priority: Under the guidance of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, the health of the tree should be established along with a pruning regime if deemed necessary. This detail may need to be added to the conservation maintenance plan for future reference. When the site plans are to be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed and revised to describe the current condition.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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6. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Description: This particular site is quite complex because it is a family plot. It consists of various components within the iron fence and in the adjacent landscape. The site is visited quite often by researchers or interested individuals (often leaving small tokens of remembrance) so it is possible that its sees a certain about of wear and tear.

Observation: All of the family footstones within the plot are still overgrown with grass along their edges. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Once a year any footstones that are beginning to sink into the lawn should have the grass removed from its face, and if need be, should be reset to be level with the ground surface.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: The surfaces of the two marble markers within the family plot are badly deteriorated as the result of improper cleaning in the past. Recommended Action: Low Priority: There is no appropriate conservation treatment to reverse the wearing away of the inscriptions. Parks Canada should ensure that it has a record of the inscriptions of both marble markers. If there is no record, an impression should be made of their faces to try and recover the information contained within the inscription. These impressions should only be made by an experienced conservator using materials that will not further damage the stones.

Observation: The surfaces of the two marble markers within the family plot are badly deteriorated as the result of improper cleaning in the past. One of the markers is stained black. Recommended Action: Low Priority: Because the surfaces of the marble markers are now so fragile, no cleaning whatsoever should be attempted except by an experienced stone conservator. It may be the case that this professional will recommend that no cleaning be attempted at all in order to extend the life span of the markers.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: The Father of Confederation plaque is in good condition. The only concern is the backsplash off the adjacent grass that collects dust on the plaque's metal stand. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: As part of the regular maintenance regime for the plot, staff should be able to clean the Father of Confederation plaque by brushing away the dust or removing it with fresh water and a soft brush.

Observation: The signage on the gate is still in very good condition. As noted in 2005, the weight of the gate is straining the adjacent hinge post causing the joints to open. The joints appear larger now and the gate cannot be opened. Recommended Action: High Priority: The gatepost needs to be tightened to keep out water. Consideration should also be given to adding a support to the bottom rail of the gate to carry some of its weight. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: A portion of the front of the stone base from the gate's hinge post is missing causing a void at the bottom. The site plan describes a series of steps and paving stones just inside the gate that are now gone. Recommended Action: High Priority: Some physical investigation is required to determine if the missing stone is contributing to the opening of the post's joints. Using the adjacent base as a template, an experienced mason should be able to fabricate and install a replica stone unit. When the site plans are to be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed and revised to meet the current condition.

Observation: Almost all of the corner posts are separating at their joints. Recommended Action: High Priority: Some physical investigation is required to determine what is causing the separation. All posts need to be tightened to keep out water. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: Soil is starting to cover over the bottom rail of the fence in various locations and some of the stone footings are starting to crack. Recommended Action: Medium Priority: The soil should be carefully dug away from the bottom rail and any bare soil should be replanted with sod. On an annual basis, the stones should be monitored for further movement or damage.

Observation: Weeds are starting to grow within the joints of the sandstone pavers that ring the plot. Some weeds are well established while others are quite young. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Maintenance staff should be able to remove the weeds from between the sandstone pavers by hand (to ensure that the pavers are not damaged) on a regular basis.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: Most of the retaining wall along the west side of the plot is in good condition except for a few loose stones towards the lower corner and some pieces of underlying filter fabric are still visible. Recommended Action: Medium Priority: Where retaining wall stones are loose and wobbling, they should be rest in the same manner as the rest of the wall. The filter fabric can be cut away.

Observation: At the top of the west stairs, the retaining wall seems to have slumped and the soil and grass are further destabilizing it. Recommended Action: High Priority: This corner of the retaining wall should be dug out and completely reset according to the original specifications.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Observation: The stairs along the eastern edge of the plot exhibit established plant material growing in the cracks and the top set of stone steps appears to have slumped to one side. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: All plant material can be removed by hand from between the steps by the maintenance staff. These stone steps were reset in 2004. It might be best to monitor their condition for the next several years before having them reset according to the original specifications.

Observation: Along the eastern edge of the plot is a set of stairs with a curved handrail. The handrail is starting to show signs of rust and the paint finish is starting to wear off. Recommended Action: High Priority: Rust should be removed by sanding and the entire handrail should be painted to match.

3.0 PREVIOUS CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS 1999 2001 Flagpole, Awareness Panel, and new concrete unit paver walkway leading to the gravesite installed. Cast iron fence was removed from the site for restoration by Parks
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[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


Canadas conservation laboratory. Fence was reinstalled with new stone supports where required. Spring: Sandstone flag walkway installed around the family plot; stone steps within the plot reset; new railing and stone steps installed outside the family plot at northwest corner; new drystone retaining wall installed along west side of site. Fall: Macdonald/Williamson obelisk repointed and sealed. Some reset of the sandstone paving units, and annual clean up of the family plot in early June.

2004

2004 2004-2011

4.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Awareness Panel Ongoing Priority: Continue to monitor the integrity of the paint. Ongoing Priority: Every spring and fall the base could be cleaned with fresh water and a soft brush to remove the debris. Alternatively, another row of matching pavers could be installed around the base to create a buffer zone. Medium Priority: Contact the panel manufacturer to determine how to remediate to deterioration. If there is no specifications available for this type of work, sand and repaint to match.

Flag Pole Ongoing Priority: Contact the flagpole manufacturer to determine what implications the loss of the black coating has on the life of the flagpole. If required, replace the flag ring. 125thConfederation Anniversary Plaque Ongoing Priority: Refinish the plaque following the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada specifications for plaque repairs. Ensure the face of the plaque is clean of any debris by periodically washing with fresh water and a soft brush. Ongoing Priority: As maintenance staff complete their routine, debris can be removed by hand. Fresh water and a gentle scrubbing with a soft brush may lessen the staining on the concrete.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Former Prime Minister's Grave Marker Ongoing Priority: The granite marker should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents. Medium Priority: Determine the cause for the dying grass behind the marker. Maintenance staff may need to top dress and reseed to fill in the patch. Ongoing Priority: No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored. Ongoing Priority: No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored. Ongoing Priority: The granite on the family marker. should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents.

Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn) Low Priority: Maintenance staff need to ensure that routine weeding of the planting beds is part of the garden routine. When the site plans are updated, the existence and location of shrubs should be updated. High Priority: The slope and other areas throughout the site should be top dressed and reseeded with a mulch to keep it in place. High Priority: As this is a national historic site, the use of herbicides for cosmetic reasons is not encouraged. A safe alternative to herbicides for the control of broad-leaf weeds in lawn is corn gluten meal. The family plot inside the fence should be treated with corn gluten meal over the next three years following the manufacturers directions. High Priority: Under the guidance of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, the health of the tree should be established along with a pruning regime if deemed necessary. This detail may need to be added to the conservation maintenance plan for future reference. When the site plans are to
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[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed and revised to describe the current condition. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others) Ongoing Priority: Once a year any footstones that are beginning to sink into the lawn should have the grass removed from its face, and if need be, should be reset to be level with the ground surface. Low Priority: There is no appropriate conservation treatment to reverse the wearing away of the inscriptions. Parks Canada should ensure that it has a record of the inscriptions of both marble markers. If there is no record, an impression should be made of their faces to try and recover the information contained within the inscription. These impressions should only be made by an experienced conservator using materials that will not further damage the stones. Low Priority: Because the surfaces of the marble markers are now so fragile, no cleaning whatsoever should be attempted except by an experienced stone conservator. It may be the case that this professional will recommend that no cleaning be attempted at all in order to extend the life span of the markers. Ongoing Priority: As part of the regular maintenance regime for the plot, staff should be able to clean the Father of Confederation plaque by brushing away the dust or removing it with fresh water and a soft brush. High Priority: The gatepost needs to be tightened to keep out water. Consideration should also be given to adding a support to the bottom rail of the gate to carry some of its weight. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator. High Priority: Some physical investigation is required to determine if the missing stone is contributing to the opening of the post's joints. Using the adjacent base as a template, an experienced mason should be able to fabricate and install a replica stone unit. When the site plans are to be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed and revised to meet the current condition. High Priority: Some physical investigation is required to determine what is causing the separation. All posts need to be tightened to keep out water. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator.

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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Medium Priority: The soil should be carefully dug away from the bottom rail and any bare soil should be replanted with sod. On an annual basis, the stones should be monitored for further movement or damage. Ongoing Priority: Maintenance staff should be able to remove the weeds from between the sandstone pavers by hand (to ensure that the pavers are not damaged) on a regular basis. Medium Priority: Where retaining wall stones are loose and wobbling, they should be rest in the same manner as the rest of the wall. The filter fabric can be cut away. High Priority: This corner of the retaining wall should be dug out and completely reset according to the original specifications. Ongoing Priority: All plant material can be removed by hand from between the steps by the maintenance staff. These stone steps were reset in 2004. It might be best to monitor their condition for the next several years before having them reset according to the original specifications. High Priority: Rust should be removed by sanding and the entire handrail should be painted to match.

Here is a summary of the recommended actions over the next five coming years: Recommendations 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Awareness Panel Continue to monitor the integrity of the paint. Every spring and fall the base could be cleaned with fresh water and a soft brush to remove the debris. Alternatively, another row of matching pavers could be installed around the base to create a buffer zone. Contact the panel manufacturer to determine how to remediate to deterioration. If there is no specifications available for
[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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this type of work, sand and repaint to match. Contact the flagpole manufacturer to determine what implications the loss of the black coating has on the life of the flagpole. If required, replace the flag ring. Refinish the plaque following the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada specifications for plaque repairs. Ensure the face of the plaque is clean of any debris by periodically washing with fresh water and a soft brush. As maintenance staff complete their routine, debris can be removed by hand. Fresh water and a gentle scrubbing with a soft brush may lessen the staining on the concrete. The granite marker should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents. Determine the cause for the dying grass behind the marker. Maintenance staff may need to top dress and reseed to fill in the patch. No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored. No conservation work is recommended at this time on the family marker. Annual photographic monitoring is required to ensure the cracks in the base stone are not enlarging, and that the obelisk does not begin to lean. The integrity of the mortar must also be monitored. The granite on the family marker should be cleaned with clean water and a soft brush to remove the discolouration and the
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Flagpole 125th Confederation Anniversary Plaque

Former Prime Ministers Grave Marker

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agents causing it. At no time should it be cleaned with water under pressure or with detergents. Maintenance staff need to ensure that routine weeding of the planting beds is part of the garden routine. When the site plans are updated, the existence and location of shrubs should be updated. The slope and other areas throughout the site should be top dressed and reseeded with a mulch to keep it in place. As this is a national historic site, the use of herbicides for cosmetic reasons is not encouraged. A safe alternative to herbicides for the control of broad-leaf weeds in lawn is corn gluten meal. The family plot inside the fence should be treated with
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Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


corn gluten meal over the next three years following the manufacturers directions. Under the guidance of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, the health of the tree should be established along with a pruning regime if deemed necessary. This detail may need to be added to the conservation maintenance plan for future reference. When the site plans are to be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed and revised to describe the current condition. Once a year any footstones that are beginning to sink into the
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Landscape

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features (pavement, benches and others) lawn should have the grass removed from its face, and if need be, should be reset to be level with the ground surface. There is no appropriate conservation treatment to reverse the wearing away of the inscriptions. Parks Canada should ensure that it has a record of the inscriptions of both marble markers. If there is no record, an impression should be made of their faces to try and recover the information contained within the inscription. These impressions should only be made by an experienced conservator using materials that
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will not further damage the stones. Because the surfaces of the marble markers are now so fragile, no cleaning whatsoever should be attempted except by an experienced stone conservator. It may be the case that this professional will recommend that no cleaning be attempted at all in order to extend the life span of the markers. As part of the regular maintenance regime for the plot, staff should be able to clean the Father of Confederation plaque by brushing away the dust or removing it with fresh water and a soft brush. The gatepost needs to be tightened to keep out water. Consideration should also
[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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be given to adding a support to the bottom rail of the gate to carry some of its weight. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator. Some physical investigation is required to determine if the missing stone is contributing to the opening of the post's joints. Using the adjacent base as a template, an experienced mason should be able to fabricate and install a replica stone unit. When the site plans are to be revised, the entire site should be resurveyed
[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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and revised to meet the current condition. Some physical investigation is required to determine what is causing the separation. All posts need to be tightened to keep out water. This work should be carried out by an experienced metals conservator. The soil should be carefully dug away from the bottom rail and any bare soil should be replanted with sod. On an annual basis, the stones should be monitored for further movement or damage.
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GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT


Maintenance staff should be able to remove the weeds from between the sandstone pavers by hand (to ensure that the pavers are not damaged) on a regular basis. Where retaining wall stones are loose and wobbling, they should be rest in the same manner as the rest of the wall. The filter fabric can be cut away. This corner of the retaining wall should be dug out and completely reset according to the original specifications. All plant material can be removed by hand from between the steps by the maintenance staff. These stone steps were reset in 2004. It might be best to monitor their condition for the next several years before having them reset according to the original specifications. Rust should be removed by sanding and the entire handrail should be painted to match.
[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Sir J A Macdonald]

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