The Powder Magazine Restoration

The Firebox Restoration

In order to preserve and restore a portion of this area's history before it is lost forever, the Limehouse Kiln Society has developed a three-part plan that deals with preservation through restoration, accessibility, and interpretation and education

Primary Goals of Plan

• enhancing the existing trail system to provide more access to these historically significant areas
• developing interpretive signage to explain and illustrate the features of the lime industry in this area
• establishing a system to provide brochures and other information to visitors, local residents and schools in this area
• preserving and restoring of the lime kilns and powder house for future generations

Preliminary Management Plan

Development Options and Phasing

Phase 1 (Budget Estimate - $250,000.00)
•Interpretation Centre, Preliminary Interpretation - Graphic panels secured to exterior walls of Interpretation Centre. One panel per organization.
• Limehouse Kiln Society - Graphic panel, site map over-laid with photographs, historic and current, society purpose, project "in progress" information, and donation information.
• Credit Valley Conservation Authority - Graphic panel, site map, environmental characterization, features outside of the focus area. Pre-quarry escarpment.
• Niagara Escarpment Commission - Graphic panel, physiographic information on the Escarpment.
• Bruce Trail Association - Graphic panel illustrating the international renowned Bruce Trail, and the Limehouse section of the trail.
• Document stabilization: Undertake a detailed as-found record and preliminary archaeological excavations. Stabilize the Set Kiln, Draw Kiln and Powder Magazine.
• Undertake additional research to determine relative uniqueness of set and draw kilns on the three sites (CVC, Dolly Varden, Lindsay & Farquhar set kilns) as well as flesh out local history.
• As-Found documentation of Set Kilns, Draw Kilns, Powder Magazine, Dolly Varden Kilns.
• Apply for Provincial and National designation of the Draw and Set Kilns located within the Limehouse Conservation Area.

Phase 2 (Budget Estimate - $2,500,00.00)
• Design development drawings for Draw and Set Kilns on CVC property and Dolly Varden.
• Physical Restoration.
• Dismantle and re-construct the Draw Kiln.
• Restore face and side walls and extraction vaults of the Set Kilns. Interpret one of the seven set kilns.
• Restore the Powder Magazine.
• Undertake archaeological work on resources contained within the CVC area.

Phase 3 (Budget Estimate - $545,000.00)
• Develop the 'Interpretation Centre' in the Carriage Shed of the Limehouse Women's Institute.
• Develop additional walking trails to the quarry wall face, Powder Magazine and tailings area.
• Install interpretive signage as per the interpretive plan.
• Develop a walking tour of Limehouse.

Phase 4 (Budget Estimate - $1,500,00.00)
• Restore two kilns on the Dolly Varden site. Install interpretive elements.
• Note: The restoration and development of a parking lot and trail head on Lot 23 concession 6 Esquesing Township (property north of CNR line) are not included in this report.