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WHITBYjFREE PRESS, The Heritagi Edition, SEPTEMBER 13, 1989, PAGE Al THE HE RITAGÉ FÉDITÏÃ"N Ringwood heritage eclectie style By Trudie Zavadovies In 1876, Ringwood, the stately, yellow-brick building that stands at 1601 Hopkins St. S., was bult by Barnabas Gibson, a pro- minent railroad contractor. In November, 93 It was purchased by Lsco steeland today serves as the company's .tranng centre. Ringwood is architectually sig- nificant as it blends the elements of 19th century Canadian archi- tecture in a harmonious way. It is alsô significant that todays Ringwood is architectually intact as it stood in 1976 except for the alterations to the front gallery. Information from the Whitby archives notes that Ringwood was constructed in 1876 of yel- low brick on a full red brick and stone cellar. Eighteen-square- inch solid oak beams with square wooden pegs support the floor. Solid masonry walls, nearly two feet in width, support the super- structure; On the main floor there are marble mantle pieces surrounding the fireplaces. Thé decorative plaster work in the hallway ana drawing room has floral patterns as well as female figures in relief. Gibson imported a master mason and carpenter from Eng- land to oversee the plaster and the woodwork. A local craftsman by the name of Deverill carried out-the brick and masonry work. Messrs. Hatch and Brother sup- plied the eavestroughing and the plumbing for running water. Barnes executed the carpentry. The cost of the residence was $5,000, a barn, brick wood shed, sheep pen, driving house and other improvements cost Gibson an estimated total ofe10,000. Ringwood is architectually eclectic, reflecting trends in architecture from approximately 1810 to 1880. Regency characteristics in- clude the tall chimneys, centre door, contrasting window sizes and full-length gallery. In spite of these Regency characteristics, the Italianate style pre- dominates. This strong style was in popular use for townhouses at the time of Confederation. The houses usually solid and square, seemed to emphasize the owner's wealth and importance. The wide eaves with decorative wooden brackets, round-headed windows and truncated low-hipped roof are all Italianate. However, the second empire style had become prominent at the time Ringwood was built. Elements of this style are seen in the decorative cresting grille that run, not only the full length of tbrooof but also along the back of the two galleries. The bay windows and the eaves bracketing are also con- sidered characteristics in the Second Empire. Finally, the front gable with its decorative woodwork and the pillar heads may be considered an element of the Gothic Revival. However, it is more likely that they reflect a local trend. The same styling of ginger- bread detail may be seen on the George Dryden House, Ellesmere. Hall and the Donald MacKay House. This characteristic, although within the Gothic revi- val tradition, can be said to be the product of local Whitby craftsmen. By the 1890s the railway con- struction business was in diffï- culty; the Grand Trunk Railway was facing bankrupcy. Gibson was feeling the effects of the railway construction chaos. In 1895,he was forced to mortgage his property for indebtedness. I n 1897 the Dominion Bank fore- closed on the $10,000 mortgage and the Gibsons moved to "more modest" accommodations in Toronto. adjusted to its current use as, corporate headquarters. Thedrawing room, with its spectacular moulded plaster ceil-' ing, is used as a boardroom. The verandab once opened, and is decorated with a crésting grille bas been enclosed as a sun room, reception ares. The original sum- mer kitchen is now used as a meeting room and the upsaiS bedrooms and servants' quartes serve as off buice rts.oaI Lasco bas put about $200,000 into renovations and restoration of the training centre. "We cleaned bricks, rbofs painted, updated plumbing, ana1 put in air! conditionin, said Tom Miller, manager of h man resources. We kept the ge eral motif and; covered the hardwood floors with carpeting.' A projEcted $50,000 will go into restoration of the guest house. COME IN NOW & SAVE O20X- 25Z ON EUROPEAN & TRADITIONAL KITCHEN & BATH CABINETRY CASH & CARRY OR COMPLETE INSTALLATION FREE PLANNING & DESIGN CONSULTATION AMPLE FREE PARKING OSHAWA HOUSE OF CABINETRY "Quality & Service Built Our Business" 1100 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa • 433-1772 Mon. - Fri. 9àar to.6 pm,,Sat.* 9 arn to 4 pm In November, 1963 the Lake Ontario Steel Co. purchased Ringwood. It was renovated and usedby-G.R.Heffernan.as.a resi- dence. until+ 1976 when ,it was i.', RINGWOÃ"D, a step into yesterday rio