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Anson House & Fairhaven, 1956-1960
One of the questions on which readers might have useful views relates to what happened when the city decided to develop Fairhaven. There
were implications, subtle and not so subtle, about the future of Anson House. Hints of the story are evident in the minutes of the Anson House Board of Directors, and
we have printed some extracts with the hope this will prompt some fresh recollections of how the story might have looked in other minds. While much of the history of
Anson House is too long ago for most of us, these names and events should strike familiar chords with some readers.
Minutes, 12 December 1956
Q It was suggested by Mrs Langley that a meeting of three members of the City Council and three members of Anson House be arranged to
discuss the future of Anson House in the event of a new Home for the Aged being built. This matter was left in abeyance for the time being.
Minutes, 9 January 1957
Q There was some discussion concerning the intention of the City of Peterborough to proceed with the erection of a modern Home for the
Aged. Such an institution would cover the same ground as Anson House since the Roman Catholic Church had announced its intention of erecting a Home of their own. It
was felt that there was nothing we could do about it and any action to include Anson House in the new set-up would have to come from the City.
Minutes, 14 February 1957
Q The President reported that a meeting of the officers of Anson House and the Welfare Committee of the City Council had been held on
Feb. 12th. At this meeting our officers explained that the directors of Anson House were in sympathy with the movement for a new Home for the Aged and
would give their co-operation. However, it was felt that any action towards the absorption of Anson House by the new institution would have to come from the City as
the Charter, under which Anson House operates, does not authorize the directors to hand over the institution to anyone else. However, the directors would not oppose
any action taken by the City towards this end.
(N.B. A subsequent meeting attended by 8 directors, Mrs Hooper, Mrs Hills, Mrs Langley, Miss Mason, Mrs Pilon and Messrs Hamilton,
Waddell and Sootheran, while the City Welfare Committee was held on Feb. 19th and was addressed by Mr L.E. Ludlow, Director of Homes for the Aged for
Ontario. He stressed the need for a large institution which would take care of aged, convalescent and senile people and provide quarters for married couples. The City
had intended to take over and remodel the old Isolation Hospital but at this meeting it was decided to have architects consider both that building and Anson House and
bring in a report as to which building would be the better for the purpose. The meeting, like the previous one, was very harmonious.)
Minutes, 13 March 1957
Q A letter from the City Clerk enclosed a copy of a resolution passed by the Welfare Committee of the City Council to the effect that
the Welfare Committee should appoint three of its members to confer with three appointees of Anson House concerning the future of Anson House.
After some discussion it was felt that a representation of four would be desirable and it was moved by Mrs Hills and seconded by Mrs
Diplock that the Anson House representatives would be the President (or Acting President), the Secretary-Treasurer, Mr J.H. Eastwood and Mr H.F. Waddell. Carried.
Mrs Langley suggested that as a solution to one of the problems involved in the City taking over Anson House, that one wing of the
proposed new Home be called the Anson House Wing and be used solely for the Protestant Poor of Peterborough along the lines of the present Charter. The others present
thought this would be a very good idea and it should be brought before the joint meeting of the City and Anson House representatives.
The City have been advised by Toronto solicitors that in order for the City to take over Anson House it would be necessary for th Board
of Anson House to apply to the Provincial Government to have our Letters Patent altered so that Roman Catholics and Jews could be admitted. Our position is that we do
not want to initiate proceedings and the secretary has handed over to Mr Howell of Kerr, McElderry and Co one copy each of our Letters Patent, Change of Name,
Agreement with City and another document. A receipt for these is in our safe.
Minutes, 12 June 1957
Q The mayor sent a letter stating that the City was prepared to go ahead with the project of a new Home for the Aged which would take
care of our present residents. In addition, they would like to have a recreation centre for all aged persons in the City and feel that the present buildings and
grounds of Anson House would be ideal for the purpose. He therefore requests the Board to agree to support a move to have the City seek a private bill to transfer the
assets of Anson House to the City. // The City Clerk sent a copy of a letter from the City Clerk of St Catharines outlining the history of their Home for the Aged.
This was originally started with private grants and later used for the care of children but upon the formation of a Children’s Aid Society the property was sold.
Upon application to the Provincial Government a Special Act was passed enabling the Board to turn over the assets to City Municipal project to be used for the
erection of a new Home for the Aged on a joint basis with the County of Lincoln. This was the solution of a problem very similar to our own.
Q Moved by Mr Eastwood and seconded by Mrs Carley that the secretary-treasurer be authorized to write to the Mayor to the effect that
his suggestion that Anson House be used as a recreation centre was favorably received by the Board and that the Board assumes that the name of Anson House would be
continued. We would make two stipulations: 1) that assurance would be given that the residents of Anson House would be taken care of to our satisfaction until such
time as the new Home for the Aged would be ready to take them in and 2) that the directors of Anson House be relieved of all obligations. Given this assurance the
directors would be willing to support a move by the City to seek a private bill to transfer the assets of Anson House to the City. Carried.
Minutes, 21 August 1957
Q An inspection of house and property was made on July 15th by Mayor Dewart and several aldermen. They were most favourably
impressed with the House and also with the Northey residence.
Minutes, 10 January 1958
Q The City Clerk advised that Mr Gordon Farquharson had been appointed Special Solicitor in connection with preparing the necessary
agreement between the Anson House Board and the City of Peterborough re: the future of Anson House. // Mr Farquharson wrote asking to meet our directors re: the above
and a meeting was arranged for January 22nd.
Minutes, 22 January 1958; held in City Hall, 3 pm
Q The meeting was duly called to order and a full discussion ensued with Mr W.H. Howell, Q.C. Solicitor for the Board, with regard to
the transferring and assigning of all the assets of Anson House to the Corporation of the City of Peterborough with the intention that the said City of Peterborough
should erect and maintain a Home for the Aged in the City of Peterborough. /// On motion duly made by Mrs F.E. Hooper, seconded by Mrs Fred Hills and unanimously
carried, By-Law No 20, which is attached as a Schedule to these Minutes, was duly enacted and passed.
Mrs Bernice Graham, Alderman of the City of Peterborough and Chairman of the Welfare Committee of the City of Peterborough, Mr E.A.
Outram, City Clerk, and Mr Gordon Farquharson, Solicitor acting for the City of Peterborough, were invited into the meeting and the above terms and conditions were
further discussed with them and Agreement on all points was reached. // Mrs Graham expressed the thanks for the City of Peterborough to the Directors for the work
done in the past by Anson House and for the co-operation of the Directors in this particular instance.
[Schedule By-Law No 20 is attached.]
M essential new detail was that President, Vps and Secretary-Treasurer empowered to act in negotiating this matter.
Minutes, AGM, 14 February 1958
Q Mr Sootheran gave a report on the special meeting held on January 22nd at which By-Law No. 20 was passed. Mr W.H. Howell,
Q.C. solicitor for the Anson House Board explained the details.
M motion to approve past and future actions
Q The motion was seconded by Mrs T.J. Carley who pointed out that the action was only being taken because if Anson House were to carry
on as in the past, while the City built a new Home for the Aged, it would not be financially feasible.
Mrs G.R. Langley moved an amendment as follows: "After the phrase ‘that such residents will be also be accepted into the new
Home for the Aged under the Rules and Regulations of the City’ add the phrase ‘and that they be offered the same degree of privacy in the normal care wing as they
have received in Anson House.’ Mrs H. Martin seconded the motion of amendment. [After some discussion, Mrs Martin withdrew her seconding, it was seconded by Mrs
W.R. Philp. The amendment passed 16-12. The motion as amended passed 27-0.]
M The biggest issue in the discussion was that there would not be that many private rooms and Anson House residents would not be given
a lock on those that were.
M Election of the board of directors postponed to a subsequent meeting.
Minutes, 14 March 1958
M G.H. Munro asked that assets from bequests with conditions not be included in the assets handed over to the city, and that should the
legislation be passed, the assets of the Dickson bequest should go to the Peterborough Foundation. [The letter was referred to Walter Howell.]
Minutes, 11 April 1958
M not invest in mortgages in view of expected transfer of assets to the City; GICs will be paid at 4.5% even though not for five years
term.
Minutes, 9 May 1958
M Walter Howell reported Anson House subject to the Charitable Institutions Act, and must comply re: annual medical examinations of all
residents.
M Mr Howell has deciphered the by-laws from the minutes and has enclosed copies with his letter.
[Mr Waddell and Mr Warren were to read
Mr Howell’s compilation and make recommendations to next meeting. At the next meeting, 13 June, it was recommended that no changes be made to the by-laws; this
meant the AGM had to move to the second Tuesday in October.]
Minutes, 11 July 1958
Q A discussion was held regarding the transfer of assets if and when Anson House ceases to operate as a Home for the Aged, and the
secretary-treasurer was directed to contact Mr Howell requesting him to attend the September meeting prepared to answer questions in connection with the legality of
transferring the assets.
Minutes, 16 September 1958
Q A lengthy discussion was held regarding the future of Anson House, transfer of assets, etc., and Mr Walter Howell, Q.C.. was in
attendance to answer questions regarding same.
It was moved by Mr Waddell and seconded by Mrs Pilon, that a recommendation be made at the Annual Meeting that the Board recommend to
the residents of Anson House that they make application for residence in the new Home for the Aged when it is ready for occupancy. Carried.
It was moved by Mr Eastwood, and seconded by Mrs Hills, that the Board recommend to the Annual Meeting that the City Council be
approached with a view to re-entering into the agreement previously proposed and dated January 22, 1958. Carried.
Minutes, AGM, 14 October 1958
M The United Church of Canada interested in Anson House for a Home for the Aged; apparently, because of the conditions in the deed of
land, such action requires 2/3 majority of the City Council in support.
Minutes, 28 October 1958
M Dr Mutchmor confirms the United Church might be interested in purchasing property at a special price; board willing to negotiate with
any interested parties.
Minutes, 14 November 1958
M City Clerk reported that Aldermen Mrs Graham and D Loucks are ex-officio members of the Anson House board.
Minutes, 3 December 1958
M The two new members appointed by City Council attended.
M United Church offered to purchase for $28,000
Q Considerable discussion followed and it was the general feeling of the meeting that, as any sale or transfer of the property would
require a two-thirds majority vote of the City Council, it would be in the best interests of Anson House to transfer the property and assets to the Corporation of the
City of Peterborough who then could sell it to the United Church of Canada or any other interested party.
It was then moved by Mr H. Waddell that we endorse the resolution passed at the September 16th meeting which contained a
recommendation to be presented to the Annual Meeting that the City Council be approached with a view to re-entering into the Agreement dated January 22, 1958, and
forward this recommendation to the Special Committee along with the letter from Dr Mutchmor containing the offer of purchase. This was seconded by Mrs B. Graham and
carried.
Minutes, General meeting of the Corporation continued, 9 December 1958
M Main item was the discussion of the letter prepared for going to Special Committee:
QQ The purpose of this letter is three-fold. // 1. To comment on the United Church’s willingness to continue the fine work that has
been carried on in Anson House for many years. // 2. To state that if Anson House becomes the property of the United Church, that it would be used for the extension
of the present work and in all likelihood would include the building of units for elderly couples. // 3. To make a cash offer for the property. We realize that we
cannot offer more than a token price for the Anson House property. We are ready to pay $28,000 for the central and other buildings and the 5.32 acres of land known as
the Anson House property. We realize that the transfer of this land would require a private Bill. We are aware, also, that the transfer of this property could not be
made until the new Home for Senior Citizens of Peterborough City, now in course of erection, is completed.
Q Mrs Philp then stated that> /at this time it appears that no other group is interested in Anson House. // As we understand our
position, we are unable to dispose of fixed assets without the sanction of the Council of the City of Peterborough evidenced by By-Law passed by a two-thirds vote of
members. Therefore, I move that the Anson House Corporation forward to the City Council the offer of the United Church of Canada for the purchase of Anson House
property, and would ask for the approval of City Council to continue negotiations with the United Church. This motion was seconded by Mrs H. Rogers. // Considerable
discussion followed, then the Chairman called for a vote and the motion carried.
On motion duly made, seconded and carried, the following were then appointed to a committee to meet with City Council (with power to
add to same): Mrs W.R. Philp, Mrs H. Rogers, Mrs G.R. Langley, and Mr J.Barnes.
Minutes, 9 January 1959
M Alderman Boorman replaced Alderman Loucks; Mrs Graham still on
M Resignations from board: J.H. Eastwood and H. F. Waddell
M Motion to send letter to all churches on the importance of having members on the board at this time.
Minutes, 13 May 1959
Q Mrs Graham moved that a letter be sent to Mrs Philp asking that her committee negotiate with the City Council as soon as possible and
report to the Anson House Board Corporation. This was seconded by Mrs Hooper and carried.
Minutes, Special Meeting, 3 June 1959
M meeting of the Anson House Board with representatives of the Joint Committee of the United and Anglican Churches for Anson House.
Representing the churches were the Revs A.L. Shorten, M.P. Poole, and G.S. Maxwell, as well as Mrs W.R. Philp, F.D. Kerr, W.B. Gordon and Dr G.R. Langley. Essentially
the churches would take over the financing and administration of Anson House; it would cover a wider area; any board would have majority from the two churches;
admittance would be open to those of any Protestant denomination. Dr Langley read from a letter from Bishop Snell expressing the interests and concerns of the
Anglican church.
Minutes, 3 June 1959
M After the Special Meeting, some discussion of the difficulties, but generally the board viewed the proposal with favour because the
work of Anson House would be enlarged. Motion (Warren/ Boorman) asked the solicitor to "point out the problem, and advise us of the next proper step."
Minutes, 10 June 1959
M Walter Howell was in attendance with a Brief on the Anglican - United Church proposal. Passed a motion to request a meeting of City
Council, Anson House board, and the committee appointed at the General Meeting. Defeated a second motion to have the general meeting approve the churches’ proposal
first.
Minutes, Joint Meeting, 2 July 1959
M Meeting of Anson House Board (10 members), City Council and the Churches’ joint committee at City Hall. Sandy Fleming, filling in
for Walter Howell, read Howell’s brief and asked the City Council for direction. Mayor Loucks said the City Council would consider the matter and report a decision
at a later date.
Minutes, 8 July 1959
M Letter from City Clerk, the joint committee of the Churches had been asked to make an offer to the city. The Board decided to
postpone the AGM for a month in anticipation something might be happening.
Minutes, 14 October 1959
M Motion requesting information from the city.
Minutes, 11 November 1959
M Joint churches intend to go forward, and recommend that 50% of the Anson House board be Anglican and United.
Some discussion of how to work the nominations committee for the AGM.
Q Mr Boorman spoke of criticism of City Council that had been voiced at a previous meeting and stated that the Council could do nothing
towards disposing of the property to the United and Anglican Churches until Anson House was dissolved. He then moved that the Board recommend that the following
resolution be passed at the annual meeting: Be it resolved that Anson House join with the Corporation of the City of Peterborough in an application to the Legislative
Assembly of the Province of Ontario at its next Session for an Act "a) vesting the assets of Anson House both present and future, of any nature and kind
whatsoever (subject to its outstanding liabilities) in the Corporation of the City of Peterborough, and b) dissolving Anson House. Mrs Graham seconded this motion. A
vote was taken and the motion was defeated. // The meeting then adjourned.
Minutes, Annual Meeting, 25 November 1959
Q Mr Farquharson pointed out that the City Council was vitally interested in the future of Anson House, especially with Fairhaven
opening soon, and had asked him to express the feelings of the Council. In 1911, the City was authorized to borrow $10,000 and make a gift of this amount and also
conveyed the property that is now known as Anson House, subject to the terms and conditions of By-law #1608 of June 5, 1911. Certain members of Council feel that it
is the intention of the Anson House Corporaton to enlarge the scope of their operations and take in other than City residents. Mr Farquharson pointed out that the
clause in the By-law regarding reversion to the City is a valid one, and if any change is to be made in the purposes and objects of Anson House the City Council wants
to be informed.
Minutes, 14 December 1959
M The new president, S.J. Whitehouse, had prepared a statement that was to be forwarded, after some minor alterations, to Dr Langley
and Mr Gordon for them to take to the combined church committee for comment.
Minutes, 11 January 1960
M City Council representatives would be Aldermen C.D. Munro and C.W. Boorman
M Decision to write all churches about the privilege of having a member on the Anson House Corporation.
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