Category Archives: Auchmar Estate

Music and History Come Alive: A Successful Doors Open Auchmar 2024

Doors Open at Auchmar 2024 was once again a huge success. We welcomed almost 1,000 guests each day. Mayor Andrea Horwath cut the ribbon on Saturday morning and MPP Monique Taylor cut the ribbon on Sunday.

The theme for Doors Open this year was music, and so we entertained a fiddler, Ruth Hutchison on Saturday and 3 harpists, Siobhan Kerr, Zoe Yiu and Lochlan Gillespie, on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, we welcomed Christine Dignard and her Auchmar tack. She was given this by the Douglas family several years ago and it once belonged to Gwyneth Young. Our ‘thanks for attending’ draw brought lots of entries for those who wanted to win one of Elizabeth Sue Hanna’s artworks of Auchmar Mansion. Michelle Piano won a Friends of Auchmar membership for guessing 23 out of 25 historic windows.

The Friends of Auchmar continue to work on finding a long-term lease for this outstanding historic estate. Our General Annual Meeting for 2024 will be held sometime in the fall. Stay tuned for date and location.

Norris Podetz has passed away

Norris Podetz

It is with deep sadness that the Friends of Auchmar Board announces the death of Norris Podetz in July 2021.

Norris was a long time member of the Friends of Auchmar and avid supporter of history and railway heritage.

Many of you will know of and recognize Norris via his artwork and portraits of the Auchmar Estate, the Stables, Grounds and Gatehouse. His contributions, greatly valued by all to Friends of Auchmar meetings and special events, will be missed.

The Friends of Auchmar Board and membership extend deepest sympathy to the Podetz family.

Larry Maughan has passed away

It is with deep sadness that we announce the untimely death of Larry Maughan on November 29, 2018. Beloved husband to Isobelle (Belle) for 45 years who predeceased him in 1999. Loving father to Kate (the Reverend Canon Keith). Awesome Grandpa to Sarah and Josh Morrison. Big brother to Michael Maughan (Judith, deceased). Will be fondly remembered by four nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and nephews. Active in the Bahá’í Fellowships of Hamilton and Guelph, strong supporter of all Bahá’í youth. Volunteer with the Friends of Auchmar, Hamilton; Waldie’s Blacksmith Shop, Milton and Westfield Heritage Village, Hamilton. Burial to take place on Tuesday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park (cemetery) 762 Woolwich St., Guelph. A Celebration of Life will be at Church of the Resurrection, Hamilton. Details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Friends of Auchmar, Hamilton.

Friends of Auchmar Canada 150 event – The Life and Times of the Honourable Isaac Buchanan

The Honourable Isaac Buchanan: What’s His Most Enduring Achievement?

A FREE Community Event Hosted by Friends of Auchmar in Celebration of Canada 150

Wednesday December 6, 2017 from 7 pm to 9 pm
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Officer’s Mess
John Foote Armoury, 200 James St. N., Downtown Hamilton

Isaac Buchanan (1810-1883) was a multifaceted changemaker who helped transform Hamilton and Canada. Join us for a good-natured evening that will feature five guest debaters from different fields asked to make the case for Buchanan’s most enduring achievement:

Architecture — Shannon Kyles, Professor of Architecture, Mohawk College

Business — Marvin Ryder, Assistant Professor, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University

Military — Honorary Colonel Peter Young, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry

Politics — Larry Di Ianni, Former Mayor, City of Hamilton (2003-2006)

Religion — Marilyn Repchuck, Historian and Member of the MacNab Street Presbyterian Church

The winning debater will be selected by the audience and receive a surprise gift.

The event will be moderated by Jeff Feswick, President of Historia Restoration Hamilton, an award winning building restoration leader. There will also be a musical tribute by singer-songwriter Mark McNeil. The program will also include an update on “reimagining” the historic Auchmar Estate built by Isaac Buchanan.

A special thanks to Hamilton 2017 for helping fund our Canada 150 event.

Isaac Buchanan Canada 150 Event