Second year class finishing up the repointing of portions of the southwest wall. The repointing is a difficult ribbon joint with a traditional lime mortar. Here the students prepare burlap covering which will remain moist for a period of time to moderate the slow curing of the lime mortar.

Second year class finishing up the repointing of portions of the southwest wall. The repointing is a difficult ribbon joint with a traditional lime mortar. Here the students prepare burlap covering which will remain moist for a period of time to moderate the slow curing of the lime mortar.


Students continue with classes; Stone Festival is a Success!; National Trust Conference.


Willowbank’s 2016 Stonesthrow Stone Festival
A weekend of traditional craftsmanship and live music

The weekend of September 30th- October 2nd proved a lovely weekend for Willowbank’s 2016 Stonesthrow Stone Festival, a weekend full of music and traditional craftsmanship. The opening Friday event featured a lecture by Dominion Sculptor Phil White. The lecture was followed by an evening dance with live music by The Hammer Brothers.

The Stone Festival proceeded with events across our two campuses. The day featured live music by local musicians, a local artisan market, and short courses in Stone Carving, Blacksmithing, Dry Stone Walling and a Historic Mortars workshop. We thank our instructors Nick Fairplay, Lloyd Johnston, Lisa Langdon, Kenneth Davies, Phil Dolphin, Keith Blades and Alex Blades.

Thank you again to our sponsors for the event: Niagara Investment in Culture, Upper Canada Stone, Traditional Cut Stone, Bosley Real Estate, The Town of Niagara-On-The-Lake, Huebel Grapes Estates, Quartek Group Inc., Ontario Power Generation, Oast House Brewery, Reif Winery, Constellation Brands Canada, Jones & O’Connell, LLP, and Lee Valley Tools.



National Trust Conference
Hamilton Rising!

The National Trust Conference was held in Hamilton from October 19th-22nd and Willowbank students, alumni, staff and board members were quite involved in the conference events.

Third year student Hallie Church was a respondent on the Sustainable Heritage Education roundtable. Alumni Ashleigh Bell, Megan Hobson, Carolyn Samko, Denise Horne, Angela Garvey, and Walter Furlan presented on various panels and led tours of Hamilton. Board member Clinton Brown hosted the Balancing Economics and Heritage Conservation panel, which Executive Director Crystal Bossio presented on. Dean of Faculty Julian Smith presented on Hamilton’s civic renaissance, on the Heritage Education Roundtable, moderated the Urban Exploration panel and presented on Hamilton’s civic renaissance. Crystal Bossio also led a tour of the Willowbank Estate as part of the National Trust event.

Many of our students attended evening and weekend sessions of the conference through sponsorships from Allback paints at solventfreepaint.ca and the National Trust for Canada.


Student Classes

First-year students have continued with many hands on classes throughout October. Students undertook a full week of Blacksmithing, classes in metal conservation and began on-going classes in drafting, glazing and heritage carpentry.

Second-year classes undertook a stone carving session with Danny Barber of Smith and Barber Atelier, a two day session in repointing (on the Estate House) and studied easements with representatives from the OHT and began a course in 3-D drafting.

After an action packed September with design classes, timber framing and 3-D drafting our third-year students have begun their internships and research projects.  Three of our third-year students (Laura Wickett, Erin Landry and Mike Dorcas) have contracted positions with the Ontario Heritage Trust. Zara Wexler has left for India where she is undertaking a reseach paper on traditional architecture. Hallie Church has taken a position at ERA Architects. Patrick Brown has begun an internship at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris. Mark Anderson-McGaw has begun a conservation study for the Masonic Hall in Lincoln. Stephen Telford is undertaking research for the Jordan Museum and on a local historic concrete house. Justine Southam has begun an internship in Stone Carving at Smith and Barber Atelier in Ottawa.


Infrastructure Upgrades Update
Electrical Site Services installed

Work has begun on the interior work for the infrastructure upgrades to the estate. Demolition on the ground floor has begun which will allow for a new sprinkler system to be integrated into the ground floor, new ducting for heat on the second floor and the insertion of an elevator shaft for accessibility. 

If you would like to donate funds for the infrastructure upgrades, please click on the support us link below and follow the link to our fundraising website or call us at 905-262-1239.


Celebrate our 10 year anniversary with a Willowbank T-Shirt!

In celebration of our 10 year anniversary we’ve printed a new t-shirt. Sizes M-XXL are still available for $20 + shipping.  Give us a call at 905-262-1239 to get yours today.  With fall around the corner, Willowbank hoodies and toques are also available!

2016 T-shirts


Upcoming Events

  • Interested in helping out? Call Shelley Glica at 905-262-1239 ext. 204 to book your training and become a Willowbank Volunteer today!

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