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Southcott Awards 2002 Sunnyside, Circular Road, St. John's Sunnyside is an unusual feature of this year's Southcotts. It is here not for restoration - it didn't need that - it is here to represent what we really would like to achieve with all of our architectural heritage: careful and continous maintenance which has resulted in the preservation of one of the city's oldest and most distinguished buildings. Built about 1846 for John O'Mara, the Waterford-born merchant and father of the chemist who founded the O'Mara's drug stores which became a St. John's institution for a century and a half, it was bought by James Murray, fish merchant and MHA, in 1872. It was he who created the house much as we see it today. This is a remarkable property because it not only has a very fine garden but also one of the few surviving coach houses and, apart, from Government House, the only gate lodge. Jean Murray (with her sister Ramsay who died last year) has always seen herself as having an obligation to this property and an obligation to its history: the history of her family and of the city to which they contributed. But this is an obligation of love and regard, not of burden. As a consequence the house has probably the best preserved nineteenth century interior and setting in Newfoundland. To look into the drawing room is to lok into that room as it was furnished in 1872. The bathroom might not meet Martha Stewart's standards but is a remarkably intact Victorian feature - and it works. How is this achieved? By attention to detail, by a readiness to act when needed to prevent a leak spreading or rot festering, by that care essential to all real preservationists - to preserve rather than replace. And if replacement is necessary to replace in the same material and type as the original. Jean Murray and Sunnyside are a model to us all and it should not surprise you to know that 25 years ago when the St. John's Heritage Foundation started its awards program this house was one of the first on its list - also for preservation maintenance. The award for 2027 is now being cast. |
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