FINAL DRAFT
CONSERVATION REPORT
GELLATLY HOUSE
GELLATLY BARN
Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park
Westside District Municipality, BC
October 2008
Lorri Dauncey MA Dip BA
Gellatly Barn and Log House, c. 1905
Table of Contents
Objective
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage Buildings
Historical Context
The Gellatly House
Historical Significance
Cultural Significance
Architectural Significance
Heritage Value and Significance
Alterations and Additions History and Conservation Intervention
Condition Report
Potential Use and Public Access
Conclusion
The Gellatly Barn
Historical Significance
Cultural Significance
Architectural Significance
Heritage Value and Significance
Alterations and Additions History and Conservation Intervention
Condition Report
Potential Use and Public Access
Conclusion
Recommendations
Appendixes:
Photographs
The Gellatly House Building Plans
The Gellatly Barn Building Plans
Sources
1
Objective
The main objective of this report is to provide the necessary historical research, site analysis and building
documentation to identify and preserve the heritage value of the Gellatly Barn and the Gellatly House, as
part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park.
These vernacular log buildings have significant heritage value as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm site. It is
very important to thoroughly document the buildings¶ present condition and identify the character
defining elements of each building. This will help to ensure that HDFKEXLOGLQJ¶V heritage value is
safeguarded as much as possible for the conservation and interpretation of the buildings.
The original materials and elements will be preserved, repaired and/or replaced, using nationally and
locally recognized heritage conservation standards and guidelines.
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage
Buildings
The Canadian Conservation Standards must be followed as closely as possible to ensure the significant
heritage value of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park is retained.
The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, has developed the
Historic Places Initiative that will help to conserve Canada¶s historic places. This program has created
the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of
Historic Places in Canada. These standards and guidelines are based on universally recognized
conservation principles and identify good practice versus bad practice. The four major principles are:
1. Understanding: A comprehensive understanding of a historic place is acquired through
documentary and oral research as well as physical investigation. Such research and analysis will lead to
the identification of the heritage value of the historic place and the character-defining elements that
embody its heritage value. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage Buildings, p.2)
2. Planning: A mechanism establishing the connection between a comprehensive understanding
of a place and interventions that respect its heritage value«Planning must reflect all factors affecting the
future of a historic place, including the owner¶s needs, resources and external constraints. (Source:
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage Buildings, p.3)
3. Using: Use may be part of its heritage value, in which case, it must be maintained.
Otherwise, a new use compatible with the defined heritage value should be considered. Uses that are
economically, socially or symbolically viable are the best guarantee of the long-term survival of a
historic place. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage Buildings, p.3)
4. Intervening: Intervention at a historic place must respect its heritage value and characterdefining elements. It is always better to preserve than to repair and better to repair than replace. Any
additions must respect the spirit and substance of the old. This ³minimal intervention´ approach is the
foundation of good conservation practice. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage
Buildings, p.3)
2
The conservation standards and guidelines consider three types of treatment: preservation (protecting,
maintaining and/or stabilizing the materials, form and integrity of a historic place), rehabilitation
(repairing, alterations and/or additions to make possible a continuing or compatible use of a historic
place) and restoration (revealing, recovering or representing the state of a historic place at a particular
period in its history). The primary objective of the project and its heritage value will determine the best
treatment and ensure that its heritage value is protected. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of
Significant Heritage Buildings, p.5)
The treatments that are most relevant to the Gellatly Barn and the Gellatly House are preserving the
structures through stabilization and maintenance. Rehabilitation is also important for carrying out repairs
as well as possibly making a few alterations to better interpret the structures for visitors.
There are 14 standards that are fundamental to the conservation of heritage resources and to conserve the
heritage value of a historic place. The most important standards that affect the Gellatly Nut Farm
Regional Park are as follows:
y Do not remove, replace or substantially alter its intact or repairable character-defining elements.
y Conserve changes to a historic place which, over time, have become character-defining elements
in their own right. (e.g. the house addition)
y Conserve heritage value by adopting an approach calling for minimal intervention.
y Recognize each historic place as a physical record of its time, place and use. Do not create a
false sense of historical development by adding elements from other historic places or other
properties or by combining features of the same property that never coexisted. (This is especially
important for the whole site, so that it does not become filled with new or heritage buildings
moved on from other locations.)
y Find a use for a historic place that requires minimal or no change to its character-defining
elements.
y Protect and, if necessary, stabilize a historic place until any subsequent intervention is
undertaken. (The barn should be stabilized with a new roof and a new foundation as soon as
possible to ensure its future survival.)
y Evaluate the existing condition of character-defining elements to determine the appropriate
intervention needed. Use the gentlest means possible for any intervention.
y Make any intervention needed to preserve character-defining elements physically and visually
compatible with the historic place, AND identifiable upon close inspection. Document any
intervention for future reference. (This report is a record of the recommended interventions.)
y Repair rather than replace character-defining elements. Where character-defining elements are
too severely deteriorated to repair, and where sufficient physical evidence exists, replace them
with new elements that match the forms, materials and detailing of sound versions of the same
elements.
y Conserve the heritage value and character-defining elements when creating any new additions or
any related new construction. Make the new work physically and visually compatible with,
subordinate to and distinguishable from the historic place. (This is important in the construction
of any new buildings and infrastructure on the site.)
y Replace missing features from the restoration period with new features whose forms, materials
and detailing are based on sufficient physical, documentary and/or oral evidence.
(Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Significant Heritage Buildings, pp. 6-7)
3
Historical Context
David Erskine Gellatly, his wife Eliza (Ure) and their infant son David, immigrated from Montrose,
Scotland to Nippissing Ontario in 1883. Their second child, John Ure (Jack) Gellatly was born in Canada
on December 23, 1883. The Gellatly family, now adding four daughters, moved to the Okanagan Valley
in 1893, where David E. Gellatly worked as a carpenter for two years. In 1895, David E. Gellatly leased
land at Shorts Point (Fintry) which the family farmed for five years. The family¶s success at farming, led
to the shipping of the first car-lot load of potatoes out of the Okanagan Valley in 1897 on the S.S.
Aberdeen. The Gellatly¶s plans for bigger potato crops in the following years were stalled as they were
unable to buy the Shorts Point land. Looking elsewhere, David E. Gellatly purchased 320 acres at Powers
Flat in 1900.
Billy Powers had claimed the area in 1889, which soon became known as Powers Flat. C.D. Simms preempted the bench-land (Westbank) the same year. Both men abandoned their claims, Billy in 1890, as the
Okanagan First Nations people maintained that the flat was part of their traditional territory and harassed
the newcomers. Billy Powers was commemorated with the creek being named Powers Creek. The flat
was next pre-empted by G.H. Rashdale, who two years later mortgaged it to Reverend George Hills, BC¶s
first Anglican Bishop. The Reverend took the land over and the Anglican Synod conveyed it to David
Erskine Gellatly in 1900.
The Gellatly family, which now included four sons and five daughters, soon cleared the land and planted
fruits and vegetables establishing a large farm. D.E. Gellatly obtained the water rights to Powers Creek
for irrigating his farm. By 1904, he had constructed a 20¶ x 40¶ greenhouse for starting tomato plants,
which replaced a smaller one. The family began shipping rail car-lots of mixed vegetables and later on
fruit. In 1905, Gellatly had finished constructing the largest greenhouse (53¶ x 25¶) in the Interior of BC.
In 1906, shortly after the greenhouse was finished, it was destroyed in a severe windstorm. A new
greenhouse was completed a year later in the spring of 1907. This greenhouse remained standing until it
was torn down long after David E. Gellatly¶s death.
By 1907, Gellatly was shipping large quantities of tomatoes, soon earning him the title, ³Tomato King of
the Okanagan´. The family also grew and shipped onions and fruit. The family expanded their business
by building a packing house, a box-factory and a large wharf to pack and ship their produce at the end of
the present day Gellatly Road S next to the Cove Condos.
In 1915, David E. Gellatly opened a wholesale distributing house in Calgary, which became a centre to
distribute the familyµs produce, as well as that of other growers. In 1919 a disastrous fire destroyed many
of the Gellatly buildings, including the wharf, packinghouse, box-factory, extensive stables and all the
equipment. This was the beginning of the end for David E. Gellatly, who became financially crippled and
died in 1922 after surgery. Over time the family holdings were reduced until only the ten acre nut farm
property remained.
David Gellatly Jr. became interested in nut-growing in 1905, when he began specializing in selecting
suitable varieties of nuts to be grown in southern BC. David became known as one of the founders of nut
FXOWXUHLQ%&'DYLG¶VLQWHUHVWDQGZRUNLQWKHQXWJURZLQJEXVLQess influenced his brother Jack.
4
Around 1910 Jack went to University in the U.S.A. where he studied agriculture. After returning to
Canada, he began to work as a grower and breeder of hardy type of nuts suitable for northern climates.
Around1919, Jack Gellatly and his family left the USA after living there off and on for several years to
return to Canada. While living in Illinois, he married Sarah Smythe, an Australian woman, and they had
one son, Allan. Both Sarah and Allan predeceased Jack, who lived until he was 86 years old. Jack began
crossing quality nut-producing trees with hardy local species in the 1920¶s and distributed them
worldwide. Jack Gellatly marketed his nut growing and breeding business through displays at local,
national and international fairs in his travelling van (Refer to: Historic Photograph #) as well as in window
displays in a number of Vancouver businesses. Jack Gellatly also served as a director of the Northern
Nut-Growers¶ Association. Jack Gellatly developed a reputation across North America as a pioneer in the
nut-growing industry.
After Jack¶s death in 1969, his brother William (Bill) took over and maintained the nut planting and nut
nursery. William Gellatly and his wife Alma Jean looked after the ten acre nut farm until William¶s death
in 1987, at 93 years old.
The Gellatly family also built a number of buildings in the area. D.E. Gellatly built a large farmhouse for
his wife and family in the 1908, which was later demolished. In 1907, D.E. Gellatly built a small house
for his mother, which still survives on the R.J. Bennett property. The Gellatly Blacksmith shop, located
across the road from the Gellatly Nut Farm also RQ5-%HQQHWW¶VSURSHUW\LVVWLOOVWDQGLQJ$nother
Gellatly barn has been moved to the Gellatly Heritage Park (created through the impetus of Ferne Jean)
which is also where the Gellatly family cemetery is located. The Gellatly Heritage Park is a partnership
between trustees of the Gellatly Cemetery and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan Parks
Department. David Gellatly Jr. built the ³Pilot House´, which has been recently moved into the Park as a
caretakerµs residence. Jack Gellatly built his vertical log house and log barn around 1905 in their present
locations near Whitworth Road. He also built the nut drying shed as well as the lakeside cottage and the
1945 cabin.
The Powers Flat area became known as Gellatly Point. Gellatly Road and Gellatly Bay were also each
named after the David E. Gellatly family. The Gellatly family played a substantial role in shaping the
farming pattern and agricultural development of the entire Okanagan Valley. (Source: Gellatly Nut Farm Regional
Park Concept Plan, May 2003, p. 16)
In 2002, the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park was created. Both a Concept Plan and a Site Development
Plan were developed by consultants for the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The Park opened in
2005, the year of centennial celebration for the Gellatly Nut Farm. The Gellatly Nut Farm Society,
created to save the nut farm for the community, has been a very active participant in the planning process
and has played a major role in the development, management and financing of the park.
*(Note: The Historical Context has been revised from the July 2007 Conservation Report: Nut Drying Shed & Root Cellar,
Lakeshore Cottage and the 1945 Cabin with input from Ferne Jean, granddaughter of D.E. Gellatly )
5
THE GELLATLY HOUSE
Historical Significance
The Gellatly House is closely associated with Jack Gellatly and his family. Jack Gellatly, who built the
house, earned local, national and even some international recognition for his nut growing business and
interest in the science of breeding hardy nut varieties and their nutritional value.
The Gellatly family played a substantial role in shaping the farming pattern and agricultural development
of the entire Okanagan Valley. The Gellatly family name is recognized in Westbank by area and road
names such as Gellatly Point and Gellatly Road. The house, as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Site, is
LPSRUWDQWIRULWVUROHLQWHOOLQJ-DFN*HOODWO\¶VVWRU\DVDIDUPHUDQGDV a nut breeder and grower.
Jack Gellatly and the Gellatly family were agricultural pioneers in the Okanagan Valley. They cleared
the land, built their houses, barns and other agricultural structures using whatever materials were available
(e.g. local trees for timber). The house has value because of its function as WKHQXWIDUP¶VUHVLGHQFHIRU
Jack and later Bill Gellatly. The original KRXVH¶Vevolution from a pioneer vernacular log house built for
a bachelor to its ¶VH[SDQVLRQLQWRDIDPLO\IDUPKRuse is significant, as is its subsequent
modernization. 7KH¶VVWXFFRILQLVKERWKµPRGHUQL]HG¶WKHH[WHULRURIWKHZKROHKRXVHDVZHOODV
helped to unify the appearance of the new addition with the original log house.
7KHEXLOGLQJ¶VXVHDVDUHVLGHQce continued even after Jack Gellatly and later Bill Gellatly passed away.
The nut farm, bought by the Leslie family, was rented out and the house was lived in by renters who
continued to look after the trees while harvesting and selling the nuts locally. In 2002, the nut farm was
bought and turned into a regional park by the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Gellatly Nut
Farm Society. The house, no longer used as a residence, has since been used as an office and meeting
space for the Gellatly Nut Farm Society, for storage of artifacts and archival material. Some limited
interpretive use has occurred at the log house.
The house has been important as the farm residence for the nut farm during almost its entire history and
continues to be used by the Gellatly Nut Farm Society and by the Central Okanagan Regional District
today.
Cultural Significance
The Gellatly House, as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, is important for its continuity in the community
because of its relatively intact site along with the barn, the nut drying shed, the lakeside cottage, the 1945
cabin, and the nut orchard. The orchard has matured but still remains largely how it was during Jack
*HOODWO\¶VWLPHAlthough the original log house had DPDMRUDGGLWLRQLQWKH¶VWhe house has
undergone relatively few alterations since that time. Although the house no longer functions as a
residence, its new use should have minimal impact on the exterior and the interior of the house. This will
help to ensure the heritage integrity of the house into the future.
6
Although the park site is located off the main road of Westbank, it is a locally well-known and a
significant landmark in the community. The house has a somewhat visible location next to Whitworth
Road which has helped to increase its landmark status.
The Gellatly House is also important because it has survived over one hundred years in a community that
KDVEHHQH[SHULHQFLQJVLJQLILFDQWODQGGHYHORSPHQWSUHVVXUHVDQGSULFHLQFUHDVHV7KHKRXVH¶Vvertical
log construction DQG¶Vlight IUDPHDGGLWLRQKDVOLNHO\FRQWULEXWHGWRWKHEXLOGLQJ¶VVXUYLYDODVZHOO
The 1984 Central Okanagan Heritage Inventory identifies the Gellatly House as having low significance.
However because of the unique heritage qualities of the building (e.g. construction method using vertical
logs, vernacular styling, connections with Gellatly family and built by Jack Gellatly) and its relatively
XQFKDQJHGDSSHDUDQFHIURPWKH¶VWKLVEXLOGLQJLVnow very significant. The Gellatly Nut Farm
Regional Park Concept Plan in May 2003 states that the ³Gellatly House has potential for being of high
significance´. (Source: The Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park Concept Plan in May 2003 p. 17)
Architectural Significance
The Gellatly House, a pioneer vernacular structure, was built by Jack Gellatly in 1905. Vernacular can be
defined as the following: unassuming, practical buildings - the heritage of everyday and everybody.
While unassuming, many of these buildings have historical importance and help to define our unique
sense of place. 6RXUFH'DYLG/RYHOO³9HUQDFXODU$UFKLWHFWXUH3RVWHU´IRU+HULWDJH:HHN Vernacular structures were
built using local materials and construction methods. Log houses, barns and outbuildings have an integral
connection to the pioneers who came to North America, where they cleared land, grew crops, raised
livestock and built houses and barns to protect their families and their animals against the elements.
The house is comprised of the unique 1905 two-storey building constructed using vertical cottonwood/
popODUORJVDQGWKH¶Vground floor frame addition and north dormer. The original walls are made of
local poplar/cottonwood* hand hewn vertical logs that would have been cut from the surrounding land.
The 10´WR´LQGLDPHWHUORJVZHUHVWRRGRQHQGDQGSODFHGRQDVWRQHVLOOSODWHwith mortar between
WKHORJV7KH¶VDGGLWLRQDQGVWXFFRILQLVKWXUQHGWKLVORJEXLOGLQJLQWRDPRUHPRGHUQDQGURRP\
yet simple farmhouse. The house like the other Gellatly farm structures has used some local and even
some reused materials in the construction of the original house, the addition, the dormer and even in the
repairs and alterations of the building.
Like the other farm buildings on the Gellatly Nut Farm Park site, the house has value for its simple yet
functional design, its use of local materials and its early building techniques. The house is also significant
because it has survived, which in part is due to its location, design, materials, and construction. This early
and unique farmhouse has undergone minimal change VLQFHWKH¶V.
*(Note: Poplar/Cottonwood: In researching the type of logs used in the construction of the barn and house, both poplar and
cottonwood timber have been mentioned in the various reports and interpretation on the site. The cottonwoods are three species
of poplars in the section Aegiros of the genus Populus, native to North America, Europe and western Asia. There are native
cottonwood trees growing near the lake in the park. These would possibly have been part of the group of trees that would have
provided the logs for the barn and the house.)
7
Heritage Value and Significance
The Gellatly House has heritage significance because it is a rare survivor of a pioneer vernacular
farmhouse in its original surroundings and because of its historical association with an important pioneer
family who helped to shape the farming pattern of the Okanagan Valley. The Gellatly House is a unique
example of a log house WXUQHGLQWRD¶VIDPLOy farmhouse that was hand-built by a well-known
pioneer who used local materials and early building methods. The house is an integral part of the Gellatly
Nut Farm Regional Park, and helps give the site its unique sense of place and landmark status in the
Central Okanagan.
The Gellatly +RXVH¶V value lies not only with its significant and unique construction, but also with its
continuity and its strong community and government connections and support. The Gellatly House as
part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park site is a well-known destination and landmark for local
residents and a tourist site of special interest for visitors.
Alterations and Additions History and Conservation Intervention
The Gellatly House has undergone a number of changes since it was built by Jack Gellatly in 1905. The
RULJLQDO¶[¶WZR-storey log house provided ample space for Jack, who was single at the time. There
was an enclosed shed roof entry off the back door into the kitchen built onto the log house, which would
KDYHEHHQUHPRYHGZKHQWKH¶VDGGLWLRQZDVDGGHG. (Refer to: Historic Photograph #)
Jack moved to the U.S.A. to attend University about 1910. During the time Jack was in the United States,
RQHRI'DYLG*HOODWO\6HQLRU¶VKLUHGPHQOLYHGLQWKHlog house. Jack returned to the property about 1919
with his wife and young son. In order to accommodate his family, Jack built a large addition onto the
main floor of the log house as well as the second floor north dormer. He also stuccoed almost the entire
hRXVHLQRUGHUWRJLYHWKHZKROHEXLOGLQJDPRUHµPRGHUQ¶DQGXQLIRUPILQLVK
6LQFHWKH¶VUHQRYDWLRQVWKHKRXVHKDVKDGIDLUO\PLQRULQWHULRUDQGH[WHULRUFKDQJHV0DQ\RIWKH
changes have occurred with the installation of modern plumbing, electricity and heating in order to bring
modern comforts to the farmhouse. The house was used as a seasonal home by Bill Gellatly and his wife
Pearl. For about 17 or 18 years they would travel to Westbank from their home in Powell River to look
after the nut farm from April to November. The house remained the same. After the farm was sold,
renters made some changes to make the house more comfortable to live in, such as the addition of an
upstairs bathroom. Once the farm was turned into a regional park, a couple of interior changes occurred
including the dormer bedroom being dry-ZDOOHGDQGFRQYHUWHGLQWRWKH*HOODWO\1XW)DUP6RFLHW\¶VRIILFH
and meeting space.
Should the house change its function, alterations may be necessary which should have minimal impact on
WKHVWUXFWXUH¶VH[WHULRUDQGLQWHULRUDVEDVHGRQWKHStandards and Guidelines for the Conservation of
Historic Places in Canada. Future adaptive reuse of the main floor of the house for interpretation
µOLYLQJKLVWRU\¶ as recommended by the 2003 Concept Plan) and the second floor for office, meeting and
archival space with limited public access may be considered for the Gellatly House.
8
¶V$GGLWLRQ'RUPHUDQG5RFN'DVK6WXFFR
Addition
When Jack Gellatly returned to the farm bringing his wife and son, it would have been apparent that the
two-storey log house was too small for his family. Jack built a large addition to the cabin that more than
doubled the main floor living area. The addition created a large dining room and living room, as well as a
covered front porch and back porch. (Refer to: Historic Photograph #)
Intervention:
As this addition is important to the heritage value of the house, no interventions are recommended. There
have been subsequent alterations to the front and back porches. These changes and interventions will be
further discussed.
Dormer
A second floor north dormer was added above the new addition. (Refer to: Historic Photograph #) This
room may have begun as a screened-in sleeping porch during the hot Okanagan summers. Jack made
interior shutters that could close off the screened window areas from the elements. This room was not
XVHGDVDEHGURRPXQWLO)HUQH-HDQ-DFN¶VQLHFHDQGKHUIDPLO\FDPHWRKHOSWDNHFDUHRI-DFNLQWR
1949. This screened room became their bedroom for the year or so they lived at the farm. The three
VFUHHQHGZLQGRZVZHUHUHSODFHGZLWKJODVVZLQGRZVOLNHO\GXULQJWKHWLPHWKDWWKH/HVOLH¶VRZQHGWKH
farm and rented it out. This change occurred around the same time that the upstairs bathroom was
installed. A re-used wood panel door, too short for the opening, has been installed more recently. This
room again underwent changes when the Society in 2005/2006 had the room drywalled, the ceiling
stippled, new vinyl slider windows installed on the north wall and the west wall window was partially
removed in order to put in a window air conditioning unit. The URRP¶V interior has been significantly
altered with the latest renovations.
Intervention:
As the replaced windows have an impact on the exterior façade, it is recommended that the north wall
vinyl slider window be replaced with a wood window similar in style to the simple wood window located
on the east wall. The air conditioner window unit should be removed and a simple wood window be
installed in this space. The dormer room has had much of its heritage materials (except for the wood floor
and mouldings) removed and/or significantly altered$VWKHURRP¶VXVHZLOOOLNHO\FRQWLQXHDVDQRIILFH
space for the Society, it is recommended WKDWWKHURRP¶VILQLVKHVUHPDLQDVWKH\DUH3HUKDSVDWDIXWXUH
time, restoration of this room would be appropriate.
Stucco
Most of the exterior of the house, both the new frame addition and the log house, was finished with rock
dash stucco. (Refer to: Historic Photograph #) The exceptions include the lap siding that was put on the
front and the back of the house underneath the porch roof and the dormer that was sided with cedar wood
shingles.
Intervention:
As the stucco finish is important to the heritage value of the house, the stucco finish should not be
removed. The lap siding also should not be removed as it is an earlier alteration that may have happened
when the house was stuccoed.
9
Installation and Upgrades of the Utilities and Fire Protection
Over the years the house has been modernized and upgraded with the installation of utilities.
Electricity
Electricity was installed in the house between 1948 and 1949. The electrical panel has been installed in a
very visible location on the west walORIWKHSDUWLDOO\ILOOHGLQEDFNSRUFKZDOO6RPHRIWKHKRXVH¶V
interior wiring has been located on the walls, ceilings, and along the mouldings rather than within the
walls or ceilings.
Intervention:
The electrical panel should be moved to a less visible area, either boxed-in, lowered, or moved to the
inside wall of the back porch. The interior wiring should be concealed, unless it impacts on the wall or
ceiling finishes.
Water
The original water well was located on the south side of the house near the kitchen window. When
HOHFWULFLW\ZDVLQVWDOOHGLQWKHODWH¶VDZDWHUSXPSZDVODWHULQVWDOOHGZKLFKEURXJKWUXQQLQJZDWHU
into the house. A hot water tank was also installed. The downstairs bathroom was likely plumbed around
this time. The pump (removed as now on the municipal water system) and the hot water tank (still is)
were located in the south-west corner of the utility room behind the bathroom.
Intervention:
As this room has undergone a number of changes over the years, it is recommended that in order for it to
become a more usable space in the house, the appliances such as the washer and dryer should be removed.
The area where the water lines and the hot water tank are located should be enclosed in a closet area that
is accessible but not visible.
Heat, Ventilation, Insulation
The house was originally heated with wood stoves and pipes. The chimney, which rests on top of the log
wall, is still visible on the north wall of the second storey hall. The vertical log walls have been insulated
using moss in the interior walls of the log house. The pipe holes are visible in the dining room, the living
room and the main floor hall ceiling across from the bathroom. ,QWKHHDUO\¶V-DFNSXWLQDQRLO
heater. The oil heater was installed in the north-west corner of the house (in the dining room). Also in
1966, shaving insulation was put in the attic space above the dining room and living.
The pipe hole created for the oil heater in the wall and up through the roof overhang can still be seen on
WKHH[WHULRURIWKHKRXVH$JDVKHDWHUZDVLQVWDOOHGLQWKHVDPHDUHDGXULQJWKH¶VIRUWKHUHQWHUV
Intervention:
The gas heater has a major visual impact on the living room and on the exterior of the house. It is
recommended that the heater either be removed and an alternate less intrusive heating method be found or
the gas heater be partially enclosed or covered to make it less visible in the dining room. The heating and
ventilation of the house should be further examined to determine the best way to provide constant and
consistent heating for the whole building, which will be necessary for both the structure and for
displaying and storing artifacts and archival material. The attic and walls (especially on the addition)
should also be evaluated to determine where additional insulation is needed. It is important that these
changes have as minimal impact as possible on the exterior and interior of the building.
10
It is also recommended that heating pipes (for interpretation only, not to be used) and two vintage style
electric heaters (wood stove style) be installed in the south-east corner of the dining room and in the
second storey hall next to the chimney. These could provide extra heat in the winter and would have
interpretive value.
Fire Suppression System
Most heritage buildings are lost because of fire. The Gellatly House does not have a fire suppression
system. A sprinkler system has been considered for the house and the new water lines have been installed
in anticipation of this.
Intervention:
For the protection and long term survival of the Gellatly House, it is recommended that a sprinkler system
be installed with as minimal impact on the house as possible.
Shingle Roof Covered with Metal Sheeting and Rolled Asphalt
In 1948/1949, the cedar shingle roof was covered with metal sheeting, both corrugated and flat. Metal
sheeting was likely used because it was cheaper, easier and faster to install and may last longer than reshingling the roof. The south side of the log house roof was covered with rolled asphalt, possibly because
Jack did not have enough metal to cover all of the roof surfaces.
Intervention:
The metal and asphalt roof has a huge impact on the heritage character and look of the house. It is
recommended that the metal and asphalt roof be removed and a new cedar shingle roof be installed.
Front Porch Enclosed and the Back Porch Alterations
Front Porch Enclosed
The front and back porch were built very similar to each other. The front porch was enclosed and turned
into a finished sunroom around 1966 by Jack Gellatly. Two sets of two windows plus a single window
were installed in the enclosed porch. A wood panel door and screen door were also installed. Horizontal
wood planks were put on to finish the exterior walls of the porch. A floor was installed in the sunroom,
which has raised the floor up off the ground. The north side door that leads into the living room was
likely added at this time to provide access into the new space. The enclosed porch wall on the south side
extends out from WKHRULJLQDOORJZDOODERXW´7KHHQFORVHGIURQWSRUFKKDVDGGHGWRWKHLQWHULRUVSDFH
of the house. It shows how Jack continued to make changes to his house to make it more livable and
comfortable. Many of the materials used (e.g. the windows, the door and the siding) are likely re-used
building materials that Jack picked up to use in his new sunroom.
Intervention:
The enclosed porch should be kept as an interior space. This porch adds to the vernacular style of the
building.
11
Back Porch Alterations
The back porch has remained open with one section of the west wall (north-west corner of the original
opening) enclosed with horizontal siding. This may have been done in order to install the electric meter
and/or to create additional storage in this corner of the porch. The second alteration is the addition of a
plywood counter with a lower plywood board under the counter between the corner post and the middle
post. This rustic counter is used to display and sell the nuts in the fall. The Gellatly Nut Farm Society
KDVFRQWLQXHG-DFNDQG%LOO¶VWUDGLWLRQRIVHOOLQJWKHQXWVIURPWKHEDFNSRUFKDUHD7KHFRXQWHUPD\
have been added by the society.
Intervention:
It is recommended that the partial wall be removed and the electric meter box be moved to a less visible
ORFDWLRQ7KHUXVWLFFRXQWHUXVHGWRVHOOWKHIDUP¶VQXWVVHHPVWRILWLQZLWKWKHUXVWLFYHUQDFXODUQDWXUHRI
the house and the farm. The counter should be painted to match the posts it is attached to in order to keep
the wood in good condition.
Upstairs Washroom
An upstairs washroom was installed in the south end of the east bedroom (RULJLQDOO\$ODQ*HOODWO\¶V
EHGURRPGXULQJWKHODWH¶VRUHDUO\¶VZKHQWKHIDUPZDVUHQWHGRXW7KHwashroom, which
included a toilet, sink and bathtub was removed after the farm was purchased by the Central Okanagan
Regional District. The removal of the plumbing, toilet, sink and bathtub has left holes in the floor,
damage on the walls and paint colours that show where the washroom walls were. There is also an
exterior vent pipe on the roof and on the exterior wall.
Intervention:
There is no need to put in an upstairs washroom, as the house may not be used as a private residence in
the future. The exterior washroom pipe vent should be removed from the roof and the south wall.
Main Floor Washroom and Shower
The original log house did not have a washroom. There were two rooms on the main floor, the kitchen
located in the west (present location) and the all purpose sitting room in the east. Sometime after the
¶VDGGLWLRQZDVEXLOWWKHHDVWURRPZDVVHFWLRQHGRIILQWRLWVSUHVHQWFRQILJXUDWLRQ$VPDOOKDOOZD\
led from the kitchen past the new washroom and into the new smaller area that Jack used as an office and
was later used as a utility room for the pump and hot water tank (although the tank was first located in the
washroom). Jack built a shower under the stairs by excavating down into the ground to create a concrete
shower area that you stepped down into. Light was let into this space by Jack cutting out part of three
stair rises and attaching hard plastic on the inside of the shower. The shower was closed off (this space is
still accessible, but has water pipes running across it) when the washroom was renovated by the Regional
District two to three years ago. (Refer to: Historic Photograph #)
Intervention
A usable washroom is necessary in the house. The opening up of the shower area and the restoration of
this unique feature would have significant interpretation value. The shower would be a good example of
the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early pioneers.
12
As this building is a significant resource as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, it is very important to conserve
WKHH[WHULRUDQGLQWHULRU¶VFKDUDcter defining elements in order to maintain its heritage value. As part of
the Gellatly House Conservation Report, a set of architectural drawings have been completed by Peter
Chataway. These drawings include: floor plans and elevations (side views) and identify basic uses,
structure and materials of the buildings. (Refer to: The Gellatly House Building Plans #)
GELLATLY HOUSE CONDITION REPORT
View of north-west corner
It is important to thoroughly document and evaluate the existing condition of a heritage building such as
the Gellatly House. The evaluation of the condition of the materials and the elements of the building will
help to determine the appropriate intervention necessary to ensure that the Gellatly +RXVH¶VKHULWDJHYDOXH
is preserved and protected. Minimal intervention will be emphasized in which repair of original materials
and elements will be recommended. Replacement of elements will only be recommended if the material
is too deteriorated to repair. Repair rather than replace character-defining elements. Where characterdefining elements are too severely deteriorated to repair, and where sufficient physical evidence exists,
replace them with new elements that match the forms, materials and detailing of sound versions of the
same elements. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, p. 7)
13
Exterior
The Gellatly House is comprised of the original 1905 two-storey vertical log house (¶[¶) and the
¶VPDLQIORRUDQGVHFRQGIORRUQRUth dormer additions. The front and the back (east and west) house
extensions included a new interior living space and an exterior porch area (although the front porch was
enclosed and turned into a sunroom). The front door and the front porch face east towards the orchard
and the lake. The back door is oriented west towards Whitworth Road. The windows would have
provided a cross breeze through the house helping to keep it cooler in the hot Okanagan summers. The
house is a good and unique example of a vernacular farm house that has changed and grown over time as
the family needs changed.
Roof
The original log house has a steep pitch gable roof while the addition and the upper north dormer each
have a lower-pitch gable roof. The original log house¶VUoof was originally finished with cedar wood
VKLQJOHV7KHUHZDVDOVRDZRRGHQFDSDORQJWKHULGJHRIWKHURRI7KHURRI¶VJDEOHHQGVDUHRULHQWHG
HDVWDQGZHVW7KH¶VDGGLWLRQJDEOHURRILVDOVRRULHQWHGHDVWDQGZHVW7KHSHDNRIWKHDGGLWLRQ
roof is located slightly to the north of the original roof. The roof was also finished with cedar wood
VKLQJOHVDQGDZRRGFDS7KHGRUPHUORFDWHGRQWKHQRUWKVLGHRIWKHDGGLWLRQ¶VURRIZDVDOVRILQLVKHG
with cedar wood shingles. (Refer to Historic Photograph #) Most of the cedar shingles were replaced
with a new corrugated or sheet metal/tin roof in 1948/49 with metal caps along each of the roof peaks.
The addition and dormer have a corrugated metal roof. The original log house has sheet metal (possibly
tin) on the north side and rolled asphalt on the south side of the roof. It is likely that the metal and asphalt
roofing was placed directly on top of the wood shingles, as removing the shingles would have been
unnecessary. This metal and asphalt roof is still on the house today. The only section of the roof that was
not covered with the metal sheeting and which still has the original wood shingles is located on the north
side of the roof along the front edge of the dormer.
There are narrow fascia ERDUGVRQDOORIWKHURRIV¶JDEOHHQGV)DVFLDERDUGVZHUHDGGHGRQWKHHQGVRI
the roof when the metal eaves troughs were installed, as the historic photographs show the exposed rafters
on the north and south ends of the roof and on the dormer roof as well. Metal sheeting has been wrapped
around the edge of the roof and nailed onto the fascia boards. This has likely kept the roof secure and dry
over the many years since the metal roof was installed.
7KHUHDUHVHYHQWHHQ´ x 6´H[SRVHGUDIWHUVRQWKe north side of the roof. The roof overhang extends
DERXW´$QDUURZIDVFLDERDUGKDVEHHQDGGHGWRWKHHGJHRIWKHURRIRYHUWRSRIWKHUDIWHUVRQWR
which the eaves trough is attached. There is a drain pipe in the north-east corner of the house. The
dormer has 9 exposed rafters on the east and the west end of the roof.
The south side of the enclosed porch has four exposed rafters. The south side of the enclosed porch has a
fascia board but the eaves trough is missing. The board is partially painted, indicating that there was
likely an eaves trough at one time. The porch roof extends out and over the stucco on the log house wall
DERXWò´7KHRULJLQDOVHFWLRQRIWKHKRXVHKDVQLQHWKLQQHUH[SRVHGUDIWHUVZLWKD´RYHUKDQJ$
fascia board has been added to the edge of the roof, with an eaves trough attached to most of its length
(except for the east corner of the roof). A drain pipe in the south-west corner of the house is attached to
14
the eaves trough on the south end of the porch roof. A drain pipe, attached to the second storey roof in
the south-ZHVWFRUQHUGUDLQVLQWRWKHSRUFKURRI¶VHDYHVWURXJK
7KHRYHUKDQJVRQWKHDGGLWLRQ¶VZHVWDQGHDVWVLGHVDUHDERXW¶´7KHUHDUHFURVVEUDFHVH[SRVHG
on the south side and 29 on the north side of the overhangs. The cross bracHVYDU\LQZLGWKV´WRò´
The north side and south side of the building had newer aluminum eaves troughs and drain pipes
installed. A fascia board was added to the roof edge and exposed rafters so that the eaves troughs could
be attached. The north side of the building has eaves troughs on the original section of the house and the
back porch addition. The eaves trough stops short of the east end of the board. If looks like the south
side of the front porch may have had an eaves trough as there is a fascia board added with only part of it
painted, indicating there once was something attached to it. Eaves troughs have not been added to the
sides of the dormer roof. It may be appropriate to remove these aluminum eaves troughs and drain pipes
and replace them with an older wooden style, more in keeping with the vernacular character of the house.
The north-east corner has a drain pipe.
There is one brick chimney located in the middle of the north side of the original log house roof along the
edge of the log wall. The base of the chimney sits on the top of a couple of vertical logs that have been
FXWGRZQLQRUGHUWRDFFRPPRGDWHWKHFKLPQH\7KHEULFNFKLPQH\LV¶´ZLGHDQGLV¶ó´KLJK
from the base RIWKHFXWORJVWRWKHWRSRIWKHORJZDOODQGWKHFHLOLQJRIWKHKRXVH7KH´FLUFOHKROH
can also be seen in the brick chimney, which has had the wall finishes removed in this area in order to
open up the wall in the upper floor hallway. When the stove pipe hole is opened up, daylight can be seen
DWWKHWRSRIWKHFKLPQH\7KHH[SRVHGYHUWLFDOORJVFDQDOVREHVHHQLQWKLVDUHD¶´H[SRVHGKHLJKW
from the floor to the top of the logs where the chimney base is located).
In the center of the south side of the roof near edge there is bathroom vent. There is also a metal casing
PHDVXUHV´ORQJDQG´ZLGHDQGEHJLQVDERXW´WRò´EHORZWKHURRIRYHUKDQJWKDWKDVEeen
attached to the stucco wall possibly to accommodate the bathroom venting on the exterior of the house
because of the thick solid log wall.
Condition
The metal roofing is in fair to poor condition. The roof is starting to fail in many areas and will need to
be repaired and will require some replacement of the roof materials. There are many visible repairs to the
roof, including repairs sealed with tar on the north-east log house roof. The edges of many of the sections
of the metal are coming up, so no longer protecting the roof as it once did. There is likely some water
damage in these areas. The only section of the roof that still has the original wood shingles is on the
north side along the edge of the dormer. These shingles are in poor condition; deteriorating with lots of
debris and moss growing on them.
The cross braces/strapping are in fair condition. The wood has been protected under the overhang. The
rafters are in fair condition. One of the rafters has been cut off (near north-west corner of house) near the
stove pipe hole in the overhang of the roof. The fascia boards are in fair to poor condition. A piece of the
fascia board is missing from the middle of the north side of the house. The fascia boards are weathered.
The brick chimney is in poor condition. Part of the chimney cap is missing. There is lots of black soot on
15
the bricks. There is a repair on the bottom. The chimney needs to be repaired and re-pointed and may
need some replacement of the bricks.
Intervention
The roof should be replaced as soon as possible as it is beginning to fail in many areas. It is
recommended that the roof¶s supports, sheathing, strapping and rafters be repaired and materials replaced
as necessary. The exposed strapping/braces and rafters should be protected using oil,* as has been done
in the past. The roof should be re-shingled using cedar wood shingles of very high quality (i.e. the #1
Blue Label Western Red Cedar 18´ length and 5´ exposed).
The fascia boards, on top of the rafter ends, were added so that the eaves troughs could be attached to the
house. These boards should be repaired if possible, or replaced if necessary. The boards should be
painted prior to the addition of new eaves troughs. The rest of the fascia boards should also be repaired if
possible or replaced if necessary and properly prepped and painted.
The eave troughs DQGGUDLQSLSHVVKRXOGEHUHSODFHGZLWKDµKHULWDJH¶SURILOHHDYHVWURXJKWKDWLVPRUHLQ
keeping with the character of the building. The drain pipes should be inspected to ensure that they are
draining properly away from the house foundation.
The chimney should be evaluated to determine what repairs are necessary to the brick and mortar in order
to stabilize it. The brick will need to be evaluated to determine if any bricks will need to be replaced and
to replace any missing bULFNVZLWKµROG¶UHXVHGEULFNWKDWLVDVLPLODUFRORXUDQGYLQWDJH,WZLOOEH
necessary to re-point the bricks. The chimney bricks will need the black soot cleaned off.
*(Note: Old motor oil was likely applied to the wood to protect it, but this is not an appropriate finish for the
restored exterior wood. Further research should be undertaken to determine the best type of oil (i.e. linseed oil) to
preserve the wood, to ensure that it is environmentally safe, and also to choose oil that is the least flammable. If
this is not possible, then a stain that replicates the look of oiled wood would be appropriate.)
Walls
The original log house walls were constructed using vertical cottonwood/poplar logs standing on end.
These ´WR´LQGLDPHWHU logs were placed on a sill plate and capped at the top. The spaces between
the logs were chinked ZLWKPRUWDU7KHPDLQIORRUµVYHUWLFDOORJZDOOVZHUHILUVWEXLOWDQGWKHVHFRQG
VWRUH\¶VYHUWLFDOORJZDOOVZHUHEXLOWRQWRSRIWKHILUVWIORRU (Refer to: Historic Photo #) This wall
construction method of closely spaced vertical posts resting on a sill is an early method of wood
construction that was employed by the French in some of the 18 th century Forts and trading posts, so
known as the Hudson Bay method. On top of the main floor windows one or two horizontal logs have
been inserted above the windows to hold in the window frame. Moss was used as insulation on the inside
of the log walls. Siding of some kind would often be utilized to protect log structures from weathering.
As Jack left for the United States for University about four to five years after he built the log house, it was
left as it was until his return around 1919-1920.
16
In tKH¶V, a ¶[¶DGGLWLRQDQGODUJHQRUWKVLGHGRUPHUwas constructed using frame construction.
Board and batten siding may have been put on the new addition to finish the walls. The stucco has
broken apart on the east wall next to the north-east corner of the house, exposing what looks like board
and batten siding with building paper between the wood and the stucco. (Refer to: Photograph #) Board
and batten siding has been used on the 1945 cabin, which may indicate that this is a finish that Jack was
comfortable with. Within a short time, Jack stuccoed the log house (except in the front and back porch
areas) and the addition likely in order to give it a more uniform and modern appearance.
The addition and most of the original log house was finished with rock dash stucco. Rock dash is a
technique for applying the stucco using pea gravel with the mud. Immediately after regular stucco is
applied to the wall, stone pebbles or small rocks are thrown against the wall surface so that they stick to
the wet stucco finish. Successfully applying the finish requires some skill and practice. Rock dash stucco
was particularly popular in mission and bungalow buildings of the early 20th century
7KHHDVWIDoDGH¶VIURQWSRUFKZDVHQFORVHGZLWKKRUL]RQWDO´ZLGHERDUGV7hey have been stained a
reddish-orange (cedar) colour, which has worn off in areas. The original corner post has been covered
ZLWK´ZLGHFRUQHUERDUGV7KHUHLVDOVRDQDUURZKRUL]RQWDOERDUGDWWKHWRSRIWKHHQFORVHGZDOODQGDW
the roof level (below the stucco).
The dormer walls were finished with cedar wood shingles on the three exposed sides (to match with the
original cedar roof). The east wall of the dormer has had strips of metal (tin) flashing attached along the
bottom edge of the roof and the dormer. This may be where the wood shingles have failed and this was a
quick way to repair this area.
The log walls (front and back porch area) have been sided with horizontal lap siding that has been nailed
on, as VRPHRIWKHQDLOVDUHYLVLEOHH[SRVHGZLGWKLVEHWZHHQô´Wò¶ZLGWKEHWZHHQ´WR´
thickness at the bottom of the board). Lap siding is one of the earliest types of finish siding. The siding
has been painted a pink-beige colour, other colour layers include from most recent to older beige, white,
yellow/cream.
The north end of the west wall of the porch has been partially filled in from the edge of the house to the
ILUVWSRVWDVVHHQLQKLVWRULFSKRWRJUDSK7KLVVHFWLRQKDVEHHQVLGHGZLWKô´GURSVLGLQJ´
exposed). The two remaining posts are original. A counter/sWRUDJHDUHDKDVEHHQSXWLQEHWZHHQWKH´
square south-ZHVWFRUQHUSRVWDQGWKHVHFRQGSRVW7KHSRUFKLV¶´ZLGH7KHSRUFKIORRULVDSRXUHG
concrete slab, with two major cracks visible extending from the house to the middle post, and from the
house to the center of the shelf. There is a piece of old carpet on top of the concrete.
The stucco has been painted a grey/cream colour. The wood planks that were used to enclose the front
are stained orange-brown. The shingles on the dormer have been stained/oiled a dark brown colour. The
siding on the back porch has been painted a pink-beige colour (the west and east living room window
moldings are the same/similar colour).
Condition
The stucco walls are in fair to good condition. There are cracks visible in the walls, especially from
17
settling near the window and door frames and mouldings. There are major cracks from the roof to the
windows on the east wall. Poor repairs in the stucco can also be seen. Next to the window on the north
wall at the east end has a large crack in the plaster from the right-hand edge of the sill to the ground.
Large cracks in the stucco also include the east wall addition. Moss is growing on the edge of the stucco
near the dirt of the flower beds and on the bottom of the walls.
The shingle siding on the dormer is in fair condition. There are some deteriorated, weathered and missing
shingles. The corner boards are also weathered. The wood shingle walls have not been painted or
stained; instead they look like they were once protected with motor oil. The wood is beginning to dry out
as the wood is fading from dark brown to yellow or lighter in some areas. This indicates that there is little
oil left on the wood to provide protection from the elements.
The lap siding is in fair condition. Many of the boards are have horizontal cracks and some breakage,
which indicate a possible weakness in the wood or design. The back porch siding is fairly weathered with
some bare wood/chipped /bubbly paint and holes in it. The newer wood planks on the back porch¶V
partial wall and the front encloseGSRUFK¶VH[WHULRUZDOOVDSSHDU to be in good condition.
Intervention
The stucco walls should be repaired with the same rock dash technique. The walls should be prepped and
painted. The walls should be colour sampled to determine the original or early colour scheme of the
house.
The wood has not been properly protected for a very long time. It is recommended that as much of the
exterior walls and details be repaired and refinished as possible. Where replacement is necessary, new
shingles, siding and trims should replicate the deteriorated pieces. The wood should be prepped and
SDLQWHGDVSDUWRIWKHKRXVH¶VKHULWDJHFRORXUVFKHPH
The dormer wood shingles will need to be protected from the elements. Old motor oil* was likely applied
to the wood to protect it, but this is not an appropriate finish for the restored exterior wood. Further
research should be undertaken to determine the best type of oil (i.e. linseed oil) to preserve the wood, to
ensure that it is environmentally safe, and also to choose oil that is the least flammable. If this is not
possible, then a stain that replicates the look of oiled wood would be appropriate.
It is recommended that all the vegetation and irrigation heads that are close to the building be removed.
This will prevent further and future damage to the building¶s walls, foundation and roof. There is a
wooden trellis that has been added to the north wall, in between the two windows, this should be
removed.
Windows and Trims
Most of the windows are original to either the log house or the addition to the house. There are a number
of different windows in the Gellatly House.
18
The original log house has three original main floor windows located on the east, south (west end) and
west walls that are of a similar style. These three windows are single-hung vertical windows with each
sash divided into two panes of glass by a vertical mullion creating four window panes (2 x 2). The two
window sashes aUH´ZLGH[´KLJK7KHPXOOLRQVDUH´ZLGHDQGWKH\DQJOHEDFNWRWKHJODVV for
DWRWDOZLGWKRIDERXW´The bottom window sash slides upwards on a rope and pulley system in behind
the upper window. The ropes (part of the rope and pulley system) for opening the windows have been
UHPRYHGRQDOORIWKHZLQGRZV7KHSODLQH[WHULRUZLQGRZPRXOGLQJVDUHò´ZLGHZLWKDERXW D´VLOO
GHSWKDQGô´WKLFN7KHVLOOH[WHQGVSDVWWKHVLGHPRXOGLQJVIRUDWRWDOOHQJWKRIò´
The south window has had ò´wide newer moulding strips added overlapping the sides and top of the
original PRXOGLQJ´WRó´H[SRVHGRULJLQDOPRXOGLQJSOXVWKHò´QHZHUVWULS. These strips may
have been added to seal the edges of the stucco walls due to deterioration. The horizontal window next to
this window (south wall utility room) has also had similar newer moulding strips added on the sides of the
original moulding.
7KHVRXWKZDOO¶VFHQWUDOZLQGRZLVDKRUL]RQWDOZLQGRZWKDWPD\KDYHEHHQDGGHGDIWHUWKHlog house
was built. This window is a different shape and size then the other main floor log house windows. It may
have been added to let in more light to this room when the bathroom was added or the when the front
porch was enclosed. The moulding is similar to the other window mouldings, although the sill does not
extend past the side mouldings, like the other window sills and the sill is also thinner than the other sills.
The window has recently had a smaller modern metal sliding window replace the earlier wood window.
The sides of the window have been filled in and a vent added for the dryer. This change was likely done
to accommodate the renters when a washer and dryer were installed in the house.
The main floor addition has three single and one dRXEOHYHUWLFDOVLQJOHKXQJZLQGRZVWKDWDUH´KLJK
DQGDERXW´ZLGH7ZRRIWKHVLQJOHZLQGRZVDUHORFDWHGLQWKHGLQLQJURRP¶VZHVWDQGQRUWKZHVW
end) walls. The living room has one single window on the north (east end) wall and the double window
on the east (north end) wall. 7KHSODLQH[WHULRUZLQGRZPRXOGLQJVDUHò´ZLGHZLWKD´VLOOGHSWK
7KHò´GHHSVLOOH[WHQGVSDVWWKHVLGHPRXOGLQJVDERXWò´SDVWRQHDFKVLGHô´GHHSIURPVLGH
PRXOGLQJò´WKLFNIRUDWRWDOOHQJWKof DERXWò´.
The exterior east windows that were added when the porch was enclosed are vertical windows divided
into four panes of glass by four horizontal mullions. Next to the door there is one single window frame.
There are two sets of two windows in the south-east and the south corner of the enclosed porch. Each
ZLQGRZKDVDWKLQVWULSRI´PRXOGLQJRQWKHIRXUVLGHVRIWKHZLQGRZ7KHZLQGRZVDVKHVKDYHROGHU
bubbled glazing, which likely indicates that they are re-used windows from another building. Each of the
windows has a bottom vent hole to let in fresh air.
There are four second floor bedroom windows in the original log house. These wood windows are simple
VOLGHUZLQGRZVZLWKWZRSDQHVRIJODVVVHSDUDWHGE\DFHQWHUYHUWLFDOPXOOLRQò´ZLGH[ ó´KLJKLQ
total).
*(Note: Window mouldings are flush with stucco. This may suggest that the addition had board and batten siding
with the mouldings attached on top of the siding. When the stucco was applied to whole exterior, the mouldings
19
were left in place. The window mouldings are also flush with the siding on the walls in the front and back porches.)
Condition
The windows and mouldings are in fair to poor condition. There has been little or no maintenance of the
windows over the years. Most of the window frames and sashes have bare weathered wood, peeling paint
and even some cracked glazing (west porch window). The putty around the windows is falling off and
worn. There are also many staples, nails and holes in the mouldings. These were made when the
windows were winterized with the use of wood strips nailed into the mouldings to hold the plastic or
stapling the plastic directly onto the mouldings.
The windows on the south and west sides of the house have sustained more damage because of the intense
sun and wind exposure. The windows that have suffered the most damage include: the two south side
windows on the main floor (kitchen and utility) and the two west side windows on the second floor (west
bedroom). Most of the windows open, however they are either not opening as they were built (i.e. using
the rope and pulley system on the single hung windows) or they are not opening smoothly.
Intervention
The window frames, sashes, glazing and mouldings should be carefully repaired, prepped, primed and
painted with two high quality topcoats in an appropriate heritage colour on the interior and the exterior of
the windows. Only replace deteriorated materials that cannot be repaired. Any replacement of original
material should be with the same wood and should be replicated to match the replaced parts. Remove any
attached wood strips that have been added on the mouldings. The single hung windows should be
repaired with new ropes so that they will once again open up as they were built. If possible replace
broken or cracked glazing with re-used older wavy/bubbled glazing.
It is also recommended that exterior storm windows be made for the main floor windows and interior
storm windows for the second floor windows. Storm windows will help prevent heat loss and will also
help to protect the original windows on the main floor from the elements. The second floor interior
storms will also be easier to remove and re-install as needed. The storm window should look very similar
to the window it is being installed with.
Ongoing maintenance is a very important part of the building use and care, and good window
FRQVHUYDWLRQLVQRWH[FHSWLRQ«$JRRGRYHUKDXODQGUHWURILWZLOOHQVXUHWKHLUZLQGRZVORQJHYLW\DQG
upgrade their functionality for another 100 years. This is more likely to provide long term solutions than
LQVHUWLQJDUHSODFHPHQW ZLQGRZDQGWKURZLQJRXWWKHRULJLQDOIUDPHVDVKDQGJODVV0RVWRIWRGD\¶V
manufactured replacement windows carry warranties of about 8-10 years and failures are usually not
repairable. Maintenance and conservation are very green behaviors. (Source: Upgrading Windows in Heritage
Buildings, p 2) The rehabilitation of the windows will ensure that they will last at least another eighty to a
hundred years as the wood is of excellent quality and is virtually XQDYDLODEOHLQWRGD\¶VPDUNHWSODFHDQG
forest. It is also recommended that sealing/caulking and weather-stripping be used to draft proof and
insulate window frames.
20
Doors and Trims
The east front porch has a door with a screen. The front door is wood four panel style. The screen door is
DVLPSOHROGHUVW\OHDVLVWKHEDFNSRUFK¶VVFUHHQGRRUUnder the bottom of the door frame, there are at
least three layers of plywood and wood used to build up the floor that are exposed, as there is no piece of
wood closing/sealing off this section of the wall under the doors. The screen door protects this area
somewhat, when the screen is closed. However this gap allows rodents, insects, etc. underneath the porch
floor.
The west back porch has a fir door with a screen. It is a simple two panel door with the top panel glazed
¶´ZLGHE\¶´KLJKDQGDZRRGLQVHUW¶ó´KLJKE\¶´ZLGHLQWKHERWWRPSDQHO7KH
GRRUKDV´ZLGHVLGHVDò´WRSDQGDô´-9´ERWWRP7KHGRRULVSDLQWHGDQGRUDQJH-red colour. The
door handle is an older style with a worn metal 2 ó´[´SODWHDQGURXQGKDQGOH7KHGRRUVLOOLV´
GHHS7KHWKUHVKROGLVDSLHFHRIZRRGZLWKDPHWDOSLHFHRIZHDWKHUVWULSSLQJDERXW´ZLGH. The fir
WKUHVKROGLVô´WKLFNDQG¶´ORQJNewer weather stripping (plastic and rubber) have been attached to
the exterior of the door frame. The depth/thickness of the extHULRUZDOOWRWKHGRRULVò´WR
accommodate the vertical log wall. The back porch (west) screen door is an older style, although it is
OLNHO\QRWRULJLQDO7KHGRRUZD\LV¶ô´KLJKDQG¶´ZLGH
The door mouldings, like the rest of the house mouldings are simple with ´WRò´ZLGHSLHFHVRI
ô´WKLFNPRXOGLQJZLWh the top piece running the whole length of the opening and width of the side
mouldings.
Condition
The east front porch door is in poor to fair condition. It is very weathered and the paint is flaking off with
bare areas showing. The door also does not open. There appears to be newer weather stripping and a
door jam and newer sill. The screen door is in fair condition, it has peeling paint on the wood and the
screen needs to be repaired.
The west porch door is in good condition, although there are holes and staples, wear and tear, scuffs
visible. A thin board has been attached onto the inside (kitchen) of the door. This board has likely been
added to prevent heat loss through the spaces in the panels. The screen door is in fair to good condition.
The screening has pulled out of the metal strip on the exterior of the door that is meant to hold the screen
in place.
The door mouldings are in fair to good condition, although there is some peeling paint and bare weathered
areas. The door thresholds are well-worn.
Intervention
The doors should be repaired, prepped and painted in an appropriate heritage colour scheme. The thin
board on the inside of the door should be removed. The front porch door will need to be repaired so that
it can open. The door frame (at the bottom) needs to be properly sealed off. As screen doors were
necessary for air flow through the house, it is recommended that the screen doors be repaired and
repainted and continue to be used.
21
West Back Porch and Entry
The north end of the west wall of the porch has been partially filled in from the edge of the house to the
first post. (Refer to: Photo #) 7KLVVHFWLRQKDVEHHQVLGHGZLWKô´GURSVLGLQJ´exposed). The two
remaining posts are original. A counter/storage area KDVEHHQSXWLQEHWZHHQWKH´VTXDUHVRXWK-west
FRUQHUSRVWDQGWKHVHFRQGSRVW7KHSRUFKLV¶´ZLGH7KHSRUFKIORRULVDSRXUHGFRQFUHWHVODEZLWK
two major cracks visible extending from the house to the middle post, and from the house to the center of
the shelf. There is a piece of old carpet on top of the concrete. 7KHSRUFKFHLOLQJKHLJKWLV¶´LV
FRPSULVHGRIERDUGVZLWKó´H[SRVHGUXQQLQJLQDQRUWK-south direction. There is also a porch light,
electrical panel, various wires all attached to the exterior of the walls, and attic opening (no cover) in
which you can see the roof structure.
Condition
The porch floor is a poured concrete slab, with two major cracks visible extending from the house to the
middle post, and from the house to the center of the shelf.
Intervention
Repair material if needed, prep and paint.
Foundation
The original log house¶VIRXQGDWLRQFRQVLVWVRIWKHYHUWLFDOORJVeither placed directly on a concrete or
rock sill plate. There appears to be a ó´WRò´ concrete footing along the edge of the house on the
west and south walls. This concrete footing looks like it extends to the end of the log house and stops at
the enclosed front porch. Where the shower was installed underneath the stairs, concrete was poured in
the excavated area up to the ground level. When the municipal water was installed in the house, this
DUHD¶VFRQFUete walls were likely where the pipes came through to get into the house. The addition
appears to be built on a poured concrete pad, which is the floor in the living room and dining room areas.
Condition
The house foundations appear to be in good stable condition. Although deterioration is not evident, the
vertical logs have likely been placed directly on the concrete/stone sill plates, without any vapour barrier
and the garden soil may be in contact with the logs. There has been some settling of the house, as there
are minor and some major cracks evident in the stucco walls.
Intervention
7KHKRXVH¶VIRXQGDWLRQVKRXOGEHWKRURXJKOy assessed to determine if there is any deterioration of the sill
and base of the logs and to what the extent is. If deterioration is found then the log ends should be
repaired and put on a proper sealed concrete footing. The foundation of the addition should also be
assessed to determine if and what is needed to ensure the stabilization of the building. The garden
VXUURXQGLQJPRVWRIWKHKRXVHVKRXOGEHPRYHGDZD\IURPWKHKRXVH¶VIRXQGDWLRQDQGZDOOV$OD\HURI
drainage rock between the walls and foundation and the soil would help to prevent further or future
deterioration especially of the wood structure.
22
Exterior Paint Colour
The exterior has not been painted a consistent colour scheme. This is likely because sections of
the house have been repainted as needed, using whatever paint colour that was available.
The exterior stucco has been painted a grey-white colour. It appears that it has been this same
colour for a long time.
The wood elements on the back west porch (including the screen door and moulding, window
and moulding and the partial plank wall) and the west window on the addition have fairly
recently been painted a pink-beige colour. The back door has been painted orange. The second
floor windows and mouldings look like they were once painted white, but are now bare. The
north windows and mouldings have been painted white. The dormer windows are white on the
west side and north (new white vinyl windows) side with oiled wood mouldings. The east side
living room window and moulding has been painted a cream colour. The screen door, door,
enclosed porch windows and the second floor windows have all been painted white. The
mouldings on the enclosed porch and the wood plank siding have been stained reddish-orange.
The second floor east window mouldings are also white. The south windows and mouldings
(except for the enclosed porch mouldings which are stained) are white. The fascia boards are
either bare wood or have been painted white.
Recommendations
The new heritage colour scheme should either be determined through colour sampling the major elements
of the exterior of the house by sanding in an inconspicuous spot. Or the colour scheme should be
based on an appropriate heritage colour scheme, using heritage colours such as Historical True
Colours for Western Canada created for Benjamin Moore funded by the Vancouver Heritage
Foundation.
Recommended guidelines for determining the exterior house colour are as follows:
The stucco should be painted a light cream or buff. (e.g. Benjamin Moore VC-5 Dunbar Buff,
VC-6 Edwardian Buff or VC-8 Mount Pleasant Buff)
The window and door mouldings should be painted a contrasting colour. Presently the
mouldings are the same light colour as the windows. A contrasting heritage colour would give
the building more character and style. (e.g. Benjamin Moore High Gloss VC-33 Harris Brown)
The window frames and sashes, doors and frames and fascia boards should be painted a light
cream, buff or possibly white, similar to the stucco wall colour. (e.g. Benjamin Moore VC-1
Oxford Ivory)
23
The dormer wood shingles should be oiled or stained to continue the deep cedar brown colour
that is still evident on some of the shingles.
The wood planks on the enclosed east porch should either be stained the same colour or a deep
cedar brown colour similar to the dormer wall shingles.
Interior
7KH*HOODWO\+RXVH¶VPDLQIORRULVmade up of the original kitchen; the original sitting room turned into a
washroom, hall and utility room; the addition of a dining room, living room and enclosed porch. (Refer to:
Photographs #) The staircase leads up to the second floor hall, the west bedroom, the east bedroom and
the dormer screen room/bedroom/office.
The important heritage features/elements of the interior that should be preserved are: the ceilings, the
walls, the windows and the doors, the mouldings and trims, the kitchen cupboards, the washroom and
shower (to be restored for interpretation).
Ceilings
The main floor ceilings are DERXW´high in the original log cabin. The addition and the bathroom are
VOLJKWO\OHVVDW´ in height. The kitchen ceiling is finished with board and batten and quarter-round
crown moulding. The bathroom also has wall board and quarter-round crown moulding on the ceiling,
but without the battens. The utility room was been finished with unpainted (possibly fir) boards. The
dining room and living room have been plastered, as they are the more formal living spaces. The
HQFORVHGSRUFKOLNHWKHEDFNSRUFKKDVEHHQILQLVKHGZLWK´ WRó´ wide shiplap planks on the ceiling.
7KH VHFRQG IORRU FHLOLQJV DUH ORZHU DW DERXW ´ WR ´ LQ KHLJKW 7KH KDOO HDVW DQG ZHVW EHGURRPV¶
ceilings have been covered with wall boards. The dormer has been re-finished with drywall. The house
has had fluorescent lights added in many of the rooms. Most of the wiring is visible as it has been
attached to the ceilings or the walls.
Condition
Generally, the ceilings are in fair to good condition. The main floor wall board ceilings in the kitchen and
bathroom are in good condition with some small holes and past repairs visible. The ceiling in the utility
room has holes, because of the plumbing that once went through to the second floor washroom. The
plaster ceilings in the addition have visible cracks and there appears to be some water damage in the
north-east corner of the living room. The second floor ceiling in the east bedroom is in poor condition.
There are many cracks, nails, holes and water damage visible (likely due to a leaking roof). The west
bedroom wall board ceiling is in better condition.
Intervention
The ceiling cracks, holes and any other damage should be carefully spot repaired. All of the ceilings
should be re-painted, as part of a new heritage colour scheme that is appropriate for the building. The
main floor hall ceiling has been partially lowered. This alteration should be removed to reveal the
24
original ceiling.
The present fluorescent lighting in the house does not add to the heritage character or atmosphere of the
house and it actually detracts from it. Lighting for a heritage house of this period and style should be
further researched to determine appropriate lighting that is more in keeping with the style of the building
and should be part of the heritage interpretation of the house.
Walls
The staircase, second floor hall and two bedroom walls have been finished with wall board (pressed
board). When the log house was originally built, this was likely one open space. The hall and two
bedrooms were likely created when WKH¶VDGGLWLRQDQGGRUPHUZHUHDGGHGThe electrical wiring is
visible in the west room. There are also built in bookcases and small closets in each of the bedrooms.
Lathe and plaster, wall board/pressed board (second floor bedrooms)- west is in fair to good condition
(except for exposed electrical wiring and holes to accommodate this); east in poor condition (water
damage)- built in book cases and small closets (hall walls also press board- see lots of repairs holes, etc.
fair condition)
Condition
The second floor wall board is in poor to good condition. The east bedroom has significant water damage
to the walls. The east bedroom¶VZDOOVKDYHDOVRVXIIHUHGEHFDXVHRIWKHDGGLWLRQDQGVXEVHTXHQWUHPRYDO
of the washroom at the south end of the room. Some of the wall board has been removed. The west
EHGURRP¶VDQG KDOO¶VZDOOVDUHLQEHWWHUFRQGLWLRQ There are many holes and repairs evident in all the
rooms.
Intervention
The walls should be carefully repaired, prepped and painted in a heritage colour scheme. Where the wall
board is too badly damaged or missing, similar material should be used. The bookcases and closets
should be repaired and painted as part of the heritage colour scheme.
Floor
7KHKRXVH¶VPDLQIORRUKDVDFRQFUHWHEDVHIRr the floor. The concrete floors have been covered with
period linoleum. The enclosed porch has a raised floor. The second floor has ´WRó´ZLGHVWDLQHG
fir tongue in groove flooring that runs north and south throughout. 7KHô´WRó´VXEIORRU
(runs east to west) can be seen in the east bedroom. The two bedrooms have been covered with
¶VWR¶VSHULRGOLQROHXP7KHZHVWEHGURRPKDVUXJRQWRSRIWKHOLQROHXP7KH
dormer room has a wood floor that has been covered with rug as well.
Condition
The concrete floor appears to be in good condition, although there are some cracks evident. The period
25
linoleum on top of the floor is in poor to fair condition. There are many holes and worn areas. The
second floor fir floor is in fair to good condition. There are holes in the east bedroom floor where the
plumbing for the bathroom was installed and later removed. The linoleum in the east bedroom is in poor
condition as it is worn and has many holes. The flooring in the west bedroom and dormer room are
covered and protected by the rug and is likely in good condition.
Intervention
The concrete floors should be recovered with period reproduction linoleum. The original second storey
wood flooring should be repaired and refinished. The carpet in the west bedroom and dormer room
should be removed to expose the wood floors. Appropriate heritage style area rugs may be used.
Door and window mouldings
7KHKRXVHKDVVLPSOHSDLQWHGRUVWDLQHGILUGRRUDQGZLQGRZPRXOGLQJVWKDWDUHô´ZLGH in the utility
URRP ó´ ZLGH LQ WKH GLQLQJ URRP DQG OLYLQJ URRP (WKH GRRU PRXOGLQJV DOVR KDYH D ´ KLJK SOLQWK
block). The kitchen does not have either door or window mouldings. The washroom has been finished
with newer window and door mouldings. On the secoQGIORRUWKH ZLQGRZV KDYHDò´WRSPRXOGLQJ
piece added in the two bedrooms. A similar moulding can be seen around the doors in the hallway and in
the two bedrooms.
Condition
The mouldings are in fair to good condition.
throughout the house.
The window and door mouldings show some wear
Intervention
The window and door mouldings should be repaired, prepped and stained or repainted in an appropriate
heritage colour. The dining room and living room mouldings and trims should be refinished in the same
red-brown stain to match the existing finish. The rest of the mouldings in the house should be painted. It
is recommended that any missing mouldings be replaced with the same materials and in the same size and
profile. As there are a couple of different moulding widths and profiles in the house, the moulding that
has survived should provide guidance to what is appropriate for each room. It is NOT recommended that
one moulding be installed throughout the house.
Floor moulding
The house has simple painted or stained fir floor mouldings that range between ´WRó´ in height in the
more formal rooms and UDQJHEHWZHHQ´WRò´ in the utilitarian rooms. Most of the mouldings have
been finished off with quarter-round trim at the floor level. There are some missing or removed floor
mouldings and quarter-round trim pieces in the building.
7KHGLQLQJURRPDQGOLYLQJURRPKDYH´WRó´KLJKVWDLQHGILUPRXOGLQJV7KH\DUHSODLQIODWô´WKLFN
with quarter-round bottom trim. The kitchen has painted ´WRô´PRXOGLQJVZLWKout the quarter-round
26
WULP 7KH QRUWK ZDOO KDV D ô´ WULP WKDW KDV EHHQ DGGHG WR WKH WRS RI WKH IODW PRXOGLQJ SLHFH 7KH
washroom does not have any floor mouldings or trim. There are some plain fir mouldings in the utility
room. The second floor bedrooms and hallway have ´ WR ò´ KLJK IODW ô´ WKLFN PRXOGLQJ WKDW LV
finished with a quarter-round trim. Both bedrooms are missing sections of moulding and quarter-round
trim. The moulding and trim have been removed from the hall.
Condition
The floor mouldings are in fair to good condition. The floor mouldings show significant wear throughout
the house. Most of the floor mouldings on the main and some on the second floor have survived,
although much of the quarter-round trims are missing.
Intervention
The floor mouldings and trim should be repaired, prepped and stained or repainted in an appropriate
heritage colour. The dining room and living room mouldings and trims should be refinished in the same
red-brown stain to match the existing finish. The rest of the mouldings in the house should be painted. It
is recommended that any missing floor mouldings or quarter-round trim be replaced with the same
materials and in the same size and profile. As there are a number of different moulding heights in the
house, the moulding that has survived should provide guidance to what is appropriate for each room. It is
NOT recommended that one moulding height be installed throughout the house.
Interior Washroom Windows
These are the only set of interior windows in the house. These windows, set high up next to the ceiling,
were likely added to help increase the amount of natural light into the washroom. There is one vertical
window with a horizontal mullion on the south washroom wall. The two sets of windows on the east wall
each have a middle vertical mullion. The glazing is set into a natural fir frame.
Condition
These windows are in good condition.
Intervention
These windows should be repaired as needed. The wood should be protected using a clear stain.
Interior Doors
All of the Gellatly house wood doors, except for two similar doors, are different styles. In the living
room there is a three panel stained fir door with brass knobs and plate with a window leading onto the
enclosed porch and a five panel fir door leading into the utility room (which is now closed off in the
utility room as it is being used as a closet). The door between the dining room and the kitchen has been
removed. The washroom door is a one panel door with an interesting character latch. The original three
panel fir front door now leads onto the enclosed porch. The washroom door is a simple one panel painted
door with an interesting latch that Ferne Jean remembers from when her uncle Jack lived in the house.
27
7KHVHFRQGIORRUKDVWZRGRRUV7KHHDVWEHGURRP¶VGRRUKDVEHHQUHPRYHG7KHZHVWEHGURRPGRRULV
a plain newer style wood door with glass knobs. The door leading from the hall to the dormer office is a
three panel painted door with a privacy glass window and brass knobs and plate (similar to the living
room door that leads onto the enclosed porch). This door is too short for the opening. The door may have
been moved from the opening between the kitchen and the dining room at some time. Ferne Jean
remembers that there was not a door, but a curtain in this opening for a very long time.
Condition
The interior doors are in fair to good condition. The three main floor doors, except for the washroom
door, are stained with brass knobs and plate. The washroom door and the two second floor doors have
been painted. The doors all show wear and tear.
Intervention
7KHGRRUVWKDWKDYHGDPDJHVKRXOGEHFDUHIXOO\UHSDLUHG,WLVLPSRUWDQWWRNHHSDVPXFKRIWKHGRRU¶V
original finish as possible when doing these repairs. New stain may be added to the doors, as long as the
colour is matched. The painted doors should be carefully stripped and re-stained their original colour.
The door handles should all work properly and will need repair work done if necessary. The west
bedroom door should be replaced with a vintage panel door with brass knobs and plate. The east
bedroom is missing and should have a vintage panel door with brass knobs and plate installed. The
removed door between the kitchen and dining room may be re-installed if desired or left open.
There are a couple of panel doors that are being stored in the barn loft and in the 1945 cabin (in 2007).
Original or at least appropriate doors may be found and re-installed in the house.
Kitchen Cupboards
The cupboards and counter in the south-west corner and on the west wall are part of the original
or at least early kitchen in the house. There have been few changes to this area. Newer
cupboards and a sink have been added on the east wall.
Condition
The cupboards and even the counter are in fairly good condition.
Intervention
These early cupboards and counter should be repaired as necessary. Newer changes may be removed and
the restoration of the original cupboards may be appropriate. The newer cupboards and sink on the
opposite wall should be replaced with a more vintage style of cupboards, sink and possibly even a wood
stove for the interpretation of the kitchen.
28
Staircase
The ILUVWDLUFDVHLVIDLUO\VWHHSDERXWò´WR´ULVHZLWKDERXW D´WRó´UXQ DQGQDUURZ¶
ò´LQZLGWK. It has been stained a deep red-brown colour. The three stairs below the turn in
the staircase have had part of their rise cut out and a piece of plastic added to the inside of the
shower to help bring natural light into this space. A newer hand rail has been added for safety.
Condition
The stairs are in fair condition. The wood on the stairs is well-worn.
Intervention
Repair and stain the stairs using the same red-brown colour. The plastic and cut out rises should be
preserved, as the shower may be restored for interpretation.
Potential Use and Public Access
The 2003 Concept Plan LGHQWLILHVWKH³+HULWDJH&RUHDUHD´LQFOXGLQJWKHUHVLGHQFHbarn and nut drying
shed as the focus fRUKHULWDJHLQWHUSUHWDWLRQZKLFKFRXOGSURYLGHWKHRSSRUWXQLW\IRU³OLYLQJ
LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ´7KLVPD\LQFOXGHKRVWVLQSHULRGFRVWXPHVJXLGLQJYLVLWRUVDQGJRLQJDERXWGDLO\FKRUHV
on the nut farm. The interior should be conserved with the principal of minimal intervention, in order to
preserve the heritage integrity and significance of the building as much as possible.
The Concept Plan suggests WKDWWKH*HOODWO\KRXVH¶VPDLQIORRUEHXVHGWRUHFUHDWHWKHGpFRUIXUQLVKLQJV
and collections of a specific perioGGXULQJ-DFN*HOODWO\¶VWLPH (Source: Concept Plan 2003, p 41-42) This would
EHDQDSSURSULDWHXVHIRUWKLVEXLOGLQJDVLWKDVXQGHUJRQHIDLUO\PLQRUDOWHUDWLRQVVLQFHWKH¶V7KH
second floor would likely have limited public access because of the steep staircase. An appropriate use
for this area may include storage and access to the Gellatly archival materials in both the west and east
bedrooms. The dormer room has been adapted into an office and boardroom for the Gellatly Nut Farm
Society. It is appropriate to continue this use of the room. The second floor (except for possibly the
dormer room) should be included in guided tours of the house a couple of times a year. The log wall and
the base of the chimney have been exposed on the north wall of the hall. This would be a very interesting
viewing area of the vertical log structure of the house.
The Concept Plan also examines threats to the heritage buildings, which includes the condition of the
buildings, the potential impact of high traffic of the buildings (e.g. potential for damage or deterioration
from constant use) and the potential hazard to the public. A balance is needed between public access and
the enjoyment and the need to preserve the integrity of the heritage buildings.
Conclusion
The Gellatly House has significant heritage value as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm. This simple
29
vernacular farmhouse plays an important role in the Nut Farm¶s story specifically about Jack Gellatly,
part of an important Okanagan pioneer and early agricultural family. 7KHEXLOGLQJ¶VFRQWLQXHGXVHDVD
residence for the people who farmed the property, by looking after the trees and selling the nuts up until
UHFHQWO\LVVLJQLILFDQW7KHKRXVH¶VQHZIXQFWLRQDVDQRIILFHDQGPHHWLQJVSDFH for the Gellatly Nut
Farm Society is also important. As well, an interpretation function for the Gellatly House will contribute
WRWKH*HOODWO\1XW)DUP¶VVHQVHRISODFHDQGYDOXHWRWKHFRPPXQLW\
THE GELLATLY BARN
Historical Significance
The Gellatly Barn is closely associated with Jack Gellatly and his family. Jack Gellatly, who built the
barn, earned local, national and even some international recognition for his nut growing business and
interest in the science of breeding hardy nut varieties and their nutritional value.
The Gellatly family played a substantial role in shaping the farming pattern and agricultural development
of the entire Okanagan Valley. The Gellatly family name is recognized in Westbank by area and roads
names such as Gellatly Point and Gellatly Road. The barn, as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Site, is
LPSRUWDQWIRULWVUROHLQWHOOLQJ-DFN*HOODWO\¶VVWRU\DVDIDUPHUDQGDVDQXWEUHHGHUDQGJURZHU
Jack Gellatly and the Gellatly family were agricultural pioneers in the Okanagan Valley. They cleared
the land, built their houses, barns and other agricultural structures using whatever materials were available
(e.g. local trees for timber). 7KHEDUQLVVLJQLILFDQWEHFDXVHRILWVIXQFWLRQDVDVKHOWHUIRU-DFN*HOODWO\¶V
horse and/or cow and its use as storage for the farm equipment, supplies and even nuts that were grown
on the farm. The barn has been important in the operation of the nut farm during its entire history and
continues to be used by the Gellatly Nut Farm Society and by the Regional District for storage.
Cultural Significance
The barn, as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, is important for its continuity in the community because of its
relatively intact site along with the house, the barn, the nut drying shed, the lakeside cottage, the 1945
cabin, and the nut orchard. The orchard has matured but still remains largely how it was during Jack
*HOODWO\¶VWLPH
The site and especially the barn have maintained much of its heritage integrity, as there have been
minimal alterations or additions to the structure. The barn also continues to functions as part of the nut
farm operations.
30
Although the park site is located off the main road of Westbank, it is a locally well-known and a
significant landmark in the coPPXQLW\7KHEDUQ¶Vmore visible location next to Whitworth Road has
helped to increase its landmark status.
The Gellatly Barn¶V YDOXHDOVROLHVLQLWVVXUYLYDO%DUQVDUHEHFRPLQJµHQGDQJHUHGVSHFLHV¶ZLWKFKDQJHV
in the agricultural economy that have caused many farmers in Canada to go bankrupt and farms to be
abandoned. On farms that are still prosperous, new barns have often been built that lack the cultural and
architectural interest of early barns. It is rare that these types of buildings have survived the last seventyfive to one hundred years, especially in a community that has been experiencing significant land
GHYHORSPHQWSUHVVXUHV%HLQJFRQVWUXFWHGRIORJVDQGQRWEXLOWXVLQJµEDUQERDUGV¶KDVSUREDEO\
FRQWULEXWHGWRWKHEDUQ¶VVXUYLYDODs well.
The barn has been recognized as one of two of the most significant heritage buildings in the Westbank
area in the 1985 Central Okanagan Heritage Resource Inventory. The Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park
Concept Plan in May 2003 also identified the barn as having high significance.
Architectural Significance
The Gellatly Barn, a pioneer vernacular agricultural structure, was built by Jack Gellatly in 1905.
Vernacular can be defined as the following: unassuming, practical buildings - the heritage of everyday
and everybody. While unassuming, many of these buildings have historical importance and help to define
our unique sense of place. 6RXUFH'DYLG/RYHOO³9HUQDFXODU$UFKLWHFWXUH3RVWHU´IRU+HULWDJH:HHN Vernacular
structures were built using local materials and construction methods. Log barns and outbuildings have an
integral connection to the pioneers who came to North America, where they cleared land, grew crops,
raised livestock and built houses and barns to protect themselves and their animals against the elements.
The barn is a rectangular 1 ½ storey structure with a medium pitched gable roof. The structurH¶VZDOOs are
made of local poplar/cottonwood* hand hewn squared logs that would have been cut from the
surrounding land. The barn was built using hand hewn chinked squared logs with dovetailed corners for
the main floor walls. In the attic space the two end walls and the roof were constructed using rough sawn
planks. The barn is a good example of the earlier hand hewn squared log construction and the later use of
rough sawn planks. The hand hewn and saw marks are visible on the logs and timber. These marks on
the wood remind us of the feat that Jack Gellatly and other pioneers undertook in clearing their land and
creating structures and a farm from the ground up.
The barn is architecturally important for its simple yet functional design, its use of local materials and its
early building techniques. The barn is also significant because it has survived, which in part is due to its
location, design, materials, and construction. This early and unique barn has undergone little change over
the years.
*(Note: Poplar/Cottonwood: In researching the type of logs used in the construction of the barn and house, both
popular and cottonwood timber have been mentioned in the various reports and interpretation on the site. The
cottonwoods are three species of poplars in the section Aegiros of the genus Populus, native to North America,
31
Europe and western Asia. There are native cottonwood trees growing near the lake in the park. These would
possibly have been part of the group of trees that would have provided the logs for the barn and the house.)
Heritage Value and Significance
The Gellatly Barn has heritage significance because it is a rare survivor of a pioneer vernacular barn in its
original surroundings and because of its historical association with an important pioneer family who
helped to shape the farming pattern of the Okanagan Valley. The Gellatly Barn is a very good example of
an early barn hand-built by a well-known pioneer who used local materials and early building methods.
The barn is an integral part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, and helps give the site its unique
sense of place and landmark status in the Central Okanagan.
7KH*HOODWO\%DUQ¶VYDOXHOLHVQRWRQO\ZLWKLWVKLVWRULFDODQGDUFKLWHFWXUDOVLJQLILFDQFHEXWDOVRZLWKLWV
continuity and its strong community and government connections and support. The Gellatly Barn as part
of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park site is a well-known destination and landmark for local residents
and a tourist site of special interest for visitors.
Alterations and Additions History and Conservation Intervention
The Gellatly Barn has undergone very few changes since it was built by Jack Gellatly in 1905. The barn
was built at about the same time as the Gellatly House, as a barn was necessary for housing animals and
storing farm equipment and supplies. The barn continued to be used in the operation of the Nut Farm,
even after Jack and his brother William died. The farm was rented out and eventually bought and turned
into a community park by the Central Okanagan Regional District and the Gellatly Nut Farm Society who
have continued the nut cultivation business. The continued use of the barn has preserved the structure
largely intact with minimal alterations.
West Façade Shed Roof Addition (Ice Shed)
When Jack Gellatly returned to his farm around 1919/1920, he created a space to store ice in sawdust (ice
shed) for the farm by attaching a shed roof off the west side of the barn. (Refer to: Historic Photo #) The
roof, which looks like it exWHQGHGDERXW¶WR¶IURPWKHEDUQZDOOZDVKHOGXSZLWKWZRFRUQHUSRVWV
There does not appear to be any enclosed space under the shingled shed roof. The shed roof was attached
to the log wall via a horizontal board that was nailed into the log wall. This board is still attached to the
third log from the top of the wall. Its temporary design and construction would suggest that it would
likely have deteriorated and would have had to be either rebuilt over the years or removed. As an ice
VKHGZDVQRORQJHUQHHGHGZKHQHOHFWULFLW\ZDVEURXJKWWRWKHIDUPLQWKHODWH¶VWKLVDUHDPD\KDYH
been used for wood storage or for farm equipment or supplies. It is not known when the shed roof was
removed.
32
Intervention
It is recommended that the west shed roof addition be restored, using the historic photographs and
building evidence to replicate where it was located, its size and shape. This would create usable space as
well as add to the vernacular farm character of the building. The shed roof addition would also provide a
wonderful interpretation opportunity for talking about ice storage in the summer. The barn has been
incorrectly µFOHDQHGXS¶DQGµVDQLWL]HG¶ZLWKWKHUHPRYDORIWKLVVKHGURRIDGGLWLRQ
North Façade Shed Roof Addition
In the 2003 Concept Plan, the photograph of the barn shows a shed roof addition supported by two corner
posts over the barn door on the north side. (Refer to: Historic Photo #) This addition is very similar to
the west façade shed roof addition. The awning URRIZDVSXWRQE\WKH/HVOLH¶s around 1989/1990 to
provide shelter as they sold nuts under this awning. The awning roof was removed prior to 2007, likely
due to its poor condition. This photograph also shows the present day wood decking underneath the
overhang. The present day deck is likely a fairly new addition.
Intervention
It is recommended that the shed roof be left off as it was a fairly recent addition to the barn and has been
removed.
South Façade Horizontal Opening
The most significant alteration to the barn was the removal of the two windows on the south side to create
one large horizontal opening. (Refer to: Historic Photograph # and Photograph #) A plywood shutter has
been attached to the exterior of the barn secured by top hinges. The shutter was likely propped open with
temporary posts holding up each end. This opening to the interior of the barn let lots of light into the
barn. This opening was likely created by Bill Gellatly, as Ferne Jean is fairly certain that this alteration
ZDVQRWGRQHGXULQJ-DFN¶VWLPHDQGVKHVSRNHZLWKWKH/HVOLHVDQGWKHRSHQLQJhad already been created
when they bought the farm in 1989.
Intervention
It is recommended that the two original windows be restored, using the historic photographs and building
evidence to replicate where they were located and their size and shape. The log wall in between the two
windows will be filled in with cottonwood hand-hewn squared logs, like on the rest of the log building.
This would restore the original character of the building and also help ensure the structural integrity that
may have been compromised by the removal of the wall and window frames.
As this building is a significant resource as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, it is very important to conserve
the exterior and interior of the barn in order to maintain its heritage value. All the major elements of the
EDUQ¶V exterior and interior should be repaired and replicated if they are missing or badly deteriorated.
The exterior and interior should have as minimal intervention as possible in order to best maintain the
barn¶VKHULWDJHYDOXHAs part of the Gellatly Barn Conservation Report, a set of architectural drawings
33
have been completed by Peter Chataway. These drawings include: floor plans and elevations (side views)
and identify basic uses, structure and materials of the buildings. (Refer to: The Gellatly Barn Building
Plans #)
Electricity
Florescent lights have been installed in the barn. This is a fairly modern alteration as there
would not have been a need for lights in a barn.
Intervention
The electrical wiring, lighting and junction box should not be exposed, as the barn may be used
for interpretation. TKHIOXRUHVFHQWOLJKWVDUHQRWDSSURSULDWHIRUWKHEXLOGLQJPRUHµFKDUDFWHU¶
and/or discrete lighting would add to the atmosphere of the barn.
Fire Suppression System
Most heritage buildings are lost because of fire. The Gellatly House does not have a fire suppression
system. A sprinkler system has been considered for the house and the new water lines have been installed
in anticipation of this.
Intervention
For the protection and long term survival of the Gellatly House, it is recommended that a sprinkler system
be installed with as minimal impact on the house as possible.
34
GELLATLY BARN CONDITION REPORT
View of north-east façades
It is important to thoroughly document and evaluate the existing condition of a heritage building such as
the Gellatly Barn. This will lead to a conservation plan which will identify the significant character
defining elements and the interventions necessary.
The evaluation of the condition of the materials and the elements of the building will also help to
determine the appropriate intervention necessary to ensure that the *HOODWO\EDUQ¶V heritage value is
preserved and protected. Minimal intervention will be emphasized in which repair of original materials
and elements will be recommended. Replacement of elements will only be recommended if the material
is too deteriorated to repair. Repair rather than replace character-defining elements. Where characterdefining elements are too severely deteriorated to repair, and where sufficient physical evidence exists,
replace them with new elements that match the forms, materials and detailing of sound versions of the
same elements. (Source: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, p. 7)
35
Roof/Ceiling
The barn has a medium pitch gable roof that is covered with cedar wood shingles. The peak of the roof
has a 90 degree angle butt join. The peak, running east to west, has a top wood ridge cap made up of one
board overlapping the other board, leaving a small ventilation gap at the ridge. The roof has nine exposed
URXJKILQLVKHGURRIUDIWHUVRQWKHVRXWKDQGQRUWKVLGHVRIWKHEDUQ7KH´ZLGHE\´LQKHLJKWUDIWHUV
DUHVSDFHGDERXW¶´´RQFHQWHUV7KHURRIRYHUKDQJVWKHZDOOVE\DERXW¶RQDOOVLGHVWKHOHQJWK
of exposed raIWHUVDUHDERXW¶´,QWKHORIWVSDFHDILUVLOOSODWH´[´KDVEHHQDWWDFKHGRQWKHWRS
of the north and south log walls. The rafters are attached to the sill plate. The fir rafters have been
QRWFKHGDERXWô´IURPWKHERWWRPOHDYLQJDERXWó´ZLGWKWRILWRQWRSRIWKHORJZDOODQGH[SRVHG
on the exterior. Wood shims have been added to square the roof under the sill plate. There is a gap
between the roof and the walls, also for air circulation.
There are 32 horizontal fir strapping boards (16 on each side of the peak) attached to the roof
framing/rafters. There are usually at least two board lengths that make up the strapping row. The
VWUDSSLQJERDUGVDUHDERXWô´ZLGH[´WKLFN7KHUHLVDJDSRIDERXW´WRò´EHWZHHQHDFKURZRf
board lengths. The curve lines of the saw can be seen in the strapping boards. This indicates that these
are likely original or at least early boards. The shingles are attached directly onto these horizontal boards.
At least two layers of wood shingleVWKH\YDU\IURP´WR´ZLGHDUHHYLGHQWRQWKHURRI
In the loft space, the strapping and underside of the shingles can be seen. The wood shingles and roof
structure show evidence that they were oiled to protect the wood. The wood under the roof overhang on
the exterior also shows evidence that oil was used to protect the wood.
Cross bracing on every rafter including each end rafter can be seen in the attic space. The bracing is
DERXW´GRZQIURPWKHSHDN7KHEUDFLQJSLHFHVDUHDERXWò´LQ width and are made out of reused
tongue and groove flooring (as seen in the nut drying shed). The top height of the loft floor to the peak of
WKHFHLOLQJLV¶´
Condition
The cedar shingles on the roof are in very poor condition. The shingles are deteriorating and very
weathered; some are missing, split, broken, weathered and have moss growing on them. The moss is
especially prevalent on the north facing side of the roof. The north facing roof is more shaded and
protected from the sun, wind and the elements. On the north side of the roof, there is a rectangular area
that has no moss growing on it. The 2003 photograph shows a board or piece of metal on that section of
the roof, likely to temporarily seal off this part of the roof as it likely failed. This section of the roof has
been repaired. The design and condition of the ridge cap leaves a gap in the roof which allows in
moisture, although the attic floor shows minimal water damage likely due to evaporation.
The middle of the roof and towards the west side, the roof appears to be sagging. The rafters look to be in
fair to good condition, although where the rafters, strapping and cross bracing are exposed to the exterior
because of the failure of the shingles, there has been deterioration. Some of the strapping boards are split
and broken. The sill plate appears to be in good condition. The tongue in groove wood diagonal
strapping, added as cross supports to the roof, seem to be in good condition.
36
Some of the wood in the attic space has some of the oil left on it, helping to preserve the wood.
Intervention
It is recommended that the roof¶s rafters and strapping be repaired and materials replaced as necessary,
using as much of the original material as possible. The roof should be re-shingled using cedar wood
shingles of very high quality (i.e. the #1 Blue Label Western Red Cedar 18´ length and 5´ exposed). It is
recommended that the roof ridge be evaluated further and be stabilized and repaired with a wood ridge
cap when re-roofing the barn. The roof ridge design should be reconsidered, as the gap lets in moisture.
,WLVLPSRUWDQWWKDWWKHURRIEHUHSDLUHGDVVRRQDVSRVVLEOHWRKHOSVWDELOL]HWKHEXLOGLQJVRWKDWLWZRQ¶W
deteriorate any further. The tongue in groove wood strapping, added as cross supports to the roof, seems
to be in good condition, and should be left to show how early vernacular buildings were not only built,
but were also repaired using local materials from around the farm.
Log Walls
7KH¶[¶EDUQLVFRQVWUXFted of hand-hewn cottonwood logs (native trees grown nearby) laid
horizontally and fitted with dovetailed corners. When the logs were squared on the upper/top and
lower/bottom faces, the bark was left on the uncut round sections of each of the logs. The bark is still
visible on some of the logs. The axe marks are visible on many of the logs. The logs range from a width
RI´WR´ZLWKOHQJWKVRIWKHHDVWDQGZHVWZDOOORJVDUHDERXW¶´WKHVRXWKDQGQRUWKZDOOORJV
DUHDERXW¶´(DFKZDOO was comprised of twelve logs stacked.
The chinking between the logs are split pieces of wood that has been nailed between the logs on the
exterior with a mud and grass mix chinking on the interior for insulation. The gaps between the logs vary
from smalOWRTXLWHODUJHJDSV7KHDYHUDJHJDSLVEHWZHHQ´WR´ZLGH7KHUHDUHDFRXSOHRISODFHV
WKDWKDYHJDSVEHWZHHQò´WR´HJDERYHWKHVRXWKHQODUJHGZLQGRZ7KHZRRGFKLQNLQJOHQJWKV
YDULHVIURP´WR¶´7KHZRRGFKLQNLQJZDVFXVWRPPDGe for each area, as the gaps vary according to
each log.
7KHWRSRIWKHORJZDOOFDQEHVHHQLQWKHORIWVSDFH7KHKHLJKWRIWKHQRUWKZDOOLV´WR´IURPWKH
attic floor, which is about 3 ¼ to 3 ½ logs that are exposed in this space. The north and south wall top
logs have two wood pins between the top and under the log to keep the wall stable and to keep from
PRYLQJ$[HPDUNVFDQEHVHHQRQPDQ\RIWKHORJV7KHHDVWZDOOLVDERXW´WR´KLJKH[SRVHG
logs). The top log length is about ¶´7KHVRXWKZDOOKDVòORJVH[SRVHG´WR´VLPLODUWR
WKHQRUWKZDOO7KHOHQJWKRIWKHWRSORJLVDOVR¶´/LNHWKHRWKHUORJZDOOVWKHUHDUHORWVRIJDSV
´WR´ZLGHZLWKWKHVSOLWERDUGVDGGHGDVFKLQNLQJ7KHZHVWORJZDOOKas 3 logs exposed and is
DERXWWKHVDPHKHLJKWDVWKHHDVWZDOO7KHWRSORJLV¶´LQOHQJWKZKLFKLVDERXW´VKRUWHUWKDQWKH
east wall. In the loft space, the mud and grass chinking material is not evident, only on the main floor.
The exterior logs show some traces of oil that would have been applied to protect the wood. Jack Gellatly
probably oiled the siding with old motor oil used on the farm.
37
Condition
When Jack Gellatly built the barn, he likely did not dry the cottonwood logs slowly or allowed them to
season for a year. He likely built the barn as he cut the logs. As the logs dried out, the logs ³FKHFNHG´
(cracked and split) as the wood has a high moisture content. Cottonwood and popular trees should be cut
in the winter when the sap retreats from the tree's trunk to the roots, making the logs less likely to check.
Seasoning the logs also prevents cracking, so it is suggested that they should be stacked and left in the
shade for a full year.
The logs range from poor to good condition, depending on their location. There are some deep
cracks/checking and many surface cracks in the log caused by shrinkage from the drying process. There
DUHYHU\GHHSFUDFNVUXQQLQJOHQJWKZLVHLQWKHORJV7KHFUDFNVDUHXSWR´ZKLFKLVDbout a 1/3 of the
ORJ¶VZLGWKAlthough there is debris (i.e. dirt, nuts, animal droppings, etc) in some of these deep cracks
that should be cleaned out, there does not seem to be much active deterioration. The upper logs appear to
be stable.
Originally each wall was constructed of 12 logs each. The bottom one or two logs on every wall is has
either totally disintegrated or is in the process of disintegrating. A couple of areas have lost more than the
bottom log. The disintegration of the bottom logs is due to the logs being placed either directly or
partially in the dirt with only a few rocks in the corners as a base. 7KHZHVWZDOO¶VERWWRPORJVWLOO
partially exists, although it is in very poor condition and is disintegrating. 7KHQRUWKZDOO¶VERWWRPORJLV
deteriorating at both the west and east ends of the wall. 7KHHDVWZDOO¶VERWWRPORJKDVpartially
disintegrated at the north end, but has totally disappeared in the middle of the wall to the south end. The
VRXWKHQG¶VVHFRQGIURPWKHERWWRPORJKDVDOVRGLVLntegrated where it has also disappeared in the south
end corner. The south-east corner has been propped up and supported by cut logs sitting on end. The
south wall¶Vbottom log has disintegrated at the east end. The log has partially survived towards the west
end of the wall.
The exterior wood chinking is missing in many areas, leaving gaps through the walls. The interior mud
and grass chinking on the main floor has also fallen out in many areas. There is evidence of insect holes
and burrowing in the surface of the logs. There are various nails, screws, etc. stuck into the logs.
The log walls have not been painted or stained; instead they look like they were once protected with
motor oil. There is little or no oil left on the log walls to provide protection from the elements. This has
caused the wood to grey in many areas and become very weathered. The greying is especially noticeable
on the south side and the bottom half of the exterior walls likely due to sprinklers. The top half is still
brown in colour indicating that the wood has not totally dried out.
Intervention
It is recommended that every log be assessed and evaluated to determine what logs need to be repaired or
replaced. All of the bottom logs and possibly the next one or two rows may need to be replaced as well.
It is recommended that as much of the logs and chinking be repaired and preserved as possible. Where
necessary, new cottonwood logs should be hand hewn and squared with dovetail corners as the original
logs were (same technique/method, materials and similar log size as replacement logs). Chinking should
also be replicated with wood pieces cut to fit each space on the exterior and the mud and grass interior
chinking on the main floor.
38
The exterior logs will need to be protected from the elements. Old motor oil* was likely applied to the
wood to protect it, but this is not an appropriate finish for the restored exterior wood. The rustic
weathered patina of the exterior is part of this building¶s charm and character and should be preserved as
much as possible.
It is recommended that there should be nothing leaning against the walls and the vegetation should also be
kept away from the building. This will prevent further and future damage to the building¶s walls,
foundation and roof. Also the sprinklers must be set to ensure that the water spray and mist does not
touch/hit the log walls. This will help prevent damage to the log walls.
*(Note: Further research should be undertaken to determine the best type of oil (i.e. linseed oil) to preserve the
wood, to ensure that it is environmentally safe, and also to choose oil that is the least flammable. If this is not
possible, then a stain that replicates the look of oiled wood would be appropriate.)
Plank Walls
The loft space, under the east and west gables, has been finished/enclosed with vertical rough cut planks.
7KHVHSODQNVYDU\LQZLGWKVIURPDô´ERDUGWR´WR´WRò´7KHUHDUHJDSVVRPHIDLUO\ZLGH
spaces, between each plank. The planks were likely a tighter fit, but over the years the wood has dried
out leaving gaps between the boards. The rough cut planks have been nailed to the top log on the exterior
and the planks overlap the log about ½ the width of the log. The top of the planks have been attached
(angled slightly) to the exterior of the last/outside rafter. The south east corner has a bottom wood piece
added out from the log for added support. This closes off the gap between the planks and the log wall and
gives something for the planks to be nailed to as there is a large space between the log at this corner and
the planks.
The west wall also has vertical boards that have been nailed to the exterior of the roof rafter and the
exterior of the top log (about halfway down the log). The planks also var\LQZLGWKIURPò´WR´WR
ò´7KHJDSVDUHODUJHIURPó´WRô´2QWKHZHVWZDOOWKHUHLVRQHUHSODFHGERDUG7KLVLVDUHXVHG
board as the hinge marks are visible and the board is painted yellow on the interior side. This board is a
piece of drop siding placed vertically like the other planks.
Condition
The plank walls are in fair to good condition. There are knot holes and missing corners in some of the
planks. Cracks and weathering of the wood is also visible in some of the planks. The east façade planks
are dark brown from being preserved with oil. The planks have gone grey and are quite weathered on the
west façade.
Intervention
It is recommended that the rough cut planks be repaired as possible. Where replacement is necessary,
new planks should replicate the deteriorated pieces that they are replacing. Replacement of the planks
may be necessary on the west façade where the wood is extremely damaged.
The exterior wood will need to be protected from the elements. Old motor oil* was likely applied to the
39
wood to protect it, but this is not an appropriate finish for the restored exterior wood. The rustic
weathered patina of the exterior is part of this building¶s charm and character and should be preserved as
much as possible.
North Façade Door
7KHILUGRRUW\SLFDORIDKDQGPDGHIDUPGRRULVORFDWHGLQWKHFHQWHURIWKHQRUWKZDOO7KH¶ò´[¶
ô´´ILUGRRUPD\EHRULJLQDORULVDWOHDVWDQROGHUUHSODFHGGRRU7KHGRRr is comprised of four
vertical planks of wood with, with three horizontal braces across the exterior of the door. There are
noticeable gaps between each plank. A bark edge can be seen between some of the planks. There are two
large rusty metal hinges attached to the top and the bottom cross brace and the matching right-hand side
(west side) horizontal pieces. There are two different widths of boards attached to each side of the door.
The right-hand side (west end) was two horizontal pieces extending out from the cross brace that the two
hinges are attached to. It appears that there may have been different hinges or possibly an earlier door, as
there are many holes and discoloration on the right-hand side board. There are also many nails and nail
holes in the cross bars. The left-hand side (east side) of the door is a narrower board, which has both a
piece of wood on a nail, that turns to keep the door shut, as well as the addition of a new security lock.
The interior of the door is very simple with no interior bracing. There is an interior wire and latch that
can be hooked onto the frame to keep the door shut from the inside. It is in fair condition. The wood on
the interior is in better condition, as the oil preservative can be still seen on the interior of the door. The
log at the top of the opening has been partially cut out for the top of the doorway.
$QHZHUZRRGHQ¶´[¶´SODWIRUPKDVEHHQEXLOWRXWVLGHWKHGRRU7KHERDUGVUXQOHQJWKZLVHIURP
east to west. The platform is in poor condition as it is sitting directly on the ground and is deteriorating
IURPWKHJURXQGPRLVWXUHDQGWKHZDWHUIURPWKHVSULQNOHUV7KHSKRWRJUDSKRIWKHEDUQ¶VQRUWK
façade in the Concept Plan shows the platform. (Refer to Photograph #) A shed roof extends from the log
wall (located about the third log from the top of the log wall) and looks to be about the same size of the
wooden platform below. The two corners are held up by two corner posts. This would have provided
some shelter from the elements. This overhang has been removed since it was photographed in 2003,
likely due to its poor condition.
Condition
The exterior of the door is very grey and weathered and in poor condition. The edges of the wood door
planks are broken and somewhat uneven. There are lots of nails, nail holes and knots in the wood. The
wood planks have dried out and shrunk over the years, creating significant gaps in the door between each
vertical plank. The wood is deteriorating, especially along the bottom quarter of the door, partially due to
the water sprinklers spraying on the wood. The door sill is well-worn and in poor condition. If
necessary, the door sill should be replaced with a new wood sill. The door frame is in fair condition; the
top board is split. The door frame should be repaired as necessary. The east side of the door frame has a
board with writing that has been attached to the upper section of the door frame. This board should be
preserved as it may offer an opportunity for interpretation of how the barn was used.
40
Intervention
It is recommended that the door be repaired and refinished. The wood on the exterior side of the door
will need to be protected with oil, like the rest of the exterior walls. Some replacement of materials may
be necessary. It may be necessary to attach new wood planks to the back of the door to reinforce it. The
existing hinges seem to be still working, so they should be cleaned up and kept. A new handle and lock,
in keeping with the heritage character, should be installed to secure the building. A new sill, similar to
the original is necessary.
South Façade Window Opening
There were originally two window openings located on the south wall. These two windows are visible in
the early historic photograph that shows the house and barn just after they were built. These windows are
DOVRYLVLEOHLQWKHHDUO\¶VSKRWRJUDSKVDIWHU-DFNUHWXUQHGWRWKHIDUPZLWKKLVZLIHDQG\RXQJVRQ
(Refer to: Historic Photographs #) More recently the two windows were removed along with the log wall
in between the two windows to create one large horizontal opening. The bottom log of the opening has
EHHQSDUWLDOO\FXWRXWDWHDFKHQG7KHUHLVDERDUG´WKLFN[´ZLGH[ô´KLJKWKDWKDVEHHQILWWHG
into the side of the log wall on each side of the new opening. The partial log above it has been cut off to
open up the opening even more. Originally, the two window openings would have had a partial log above
which the frame would have fit snugly into. The two original windows and frames would have been in
this space.
A plywood shutter has been attached with four door hinges (two older and two newer hinges) to the log
above the opening. It may have been propped open to access the interior of the barn and to let light into
the barn. The shutter is presently screwed shut for security.
Condition
The window opening is in fair condition. There are many nail holes, large splits in the wood (likely from
the wood drying out after it was cut), some insect surface burrowing and some weathering and
deterioration in the logs. The plywood shutter, made up of three pieces of plywood held together with
two wood braces, is in fair condition. It is really a temporary cover for the large opening into the barn.
Intervention
It is recommended that the two original windows and log wall in between the two windows be restored
back to the original design. The physical evidence and the historic photographs reveal enough
information to recreate the original openings. The window sashes are harder to determine as it is very
difficult to see what they looked like from the photographs. However, a simple sash with glass and/or a
wood interior shutter may be appropriate. Research into local barns from the same time period may
provide additional guidance. The removal of these logs between the windows may have or will
compromise the integrity of the upper logs. Fill in between the windows with popular logs (new) squared
off with some bark exposed, like the rest of the building. The newer plywood exterior shutter should be
removed.
41
East Façade Loft Opening
7KHUHLVDQRSHQLQJ¶ò´KLJK[¶ZLGHRQWKHHDVWZDOOVWDUWLQJDWWKHWRSRIWKHORJZDOO$WWKHWRS
RIWKHRSHQLQJRQWKHLQVLGHRIWKHZDOOWKHUHLVDZRRGEUDFHò´ZLGH´WKLFNDQG´ORQJ2QWKH
outside of the plank wall (on the south end) there are what is left of two old leather hinges and nails and
nail holes to indicate a third hinge which is gone. There is a different metal hinge (only a piece left) there
is another partial hinge. There are nail holes on the lower part of the plank board on the north side of the
opening which may indicate where a latch held the wood door/shutter closed. The door has been removed
and has disappeared and a piece of plywood has been nailed on to close off this space.
Condition
The opening is in fair condition.
Intervention
A door similar to the barn door may be appropriate. (i.e. vertical planks with interior bracing) The door
should be attached to the exterior of the plank wall with hinges that are similar to either the leather or
metal. A wood latch at the inside and the outside should also be attached in order to keep the door shut.
Foundation
The logs appear to have been placed directly on the dirt using field stone to level the first course. It is
possible that the barn has a field stone foundation. The Concept Plan 2003 indicates that the bottom logs
rest on flat stones at the corners. As the south-east corner has lost 2-3 of its bottom logs to deterioration,
the remaining logs have been propped up on some log ends in the corner in an attempt to stabilize and
level the building. The exterior has been partially covered with plywood to help enclose the space.
Condition
The foundation is in poor condition. Because the wood foundation has been placed directly on the dirt
and rocks with no moisture separation, the wood logs are deteriorating. The south-east corner of the
foundation is missing. The corner of the building is sloping downwards due to settlement as there is no
longer any support under this part of the structure. This indicates that the foundation on this end of the
building is failing. The walls (gable ends) are bowed from the middle and turn downwards to each
corner.
Intervention
The foundation will need to be thoroughly assessed to determine what should be done to stabilize the
building, based on the Canadian Heritage Conservation Standards and Guidelines. It is recommended that
reinforced concrete foundation wall and footing be installed in order to stabilize the building. The footing
should be at leasW´ZLGHE\´-´WKLFNGHHSDQGSODFHG¶´EHORZILQLVKHGJUDGHIRUSURWHFWLRQ
42
Interior
The Gellatly Barn is comprised of an elevated stall in the south-east corner, handmade shelf units and
wall shelves with handmade brackets and an open loft that is accessed by a handmade ladder attached to
the wall in the north-east corner.
The important heritage features/elements of the interior that should be preserved are: the dirt/wood floor,
the stall and platform, the shelves and wall brackets, the ladder and the open loft area.
Floor
The barn originally had a dirt floor in the main area of the building. Recently a floating wood floor was
put on top of the dirt in the main section of the building. A wood platform was built in the south-east
corner of the barn as a stall for a cow or horse. A partial wood floor was also built in front of the stall,
which may be original.
Condition and Intervention
The platform appears to be in fair to good condition. The partial wood floor in front of the stall is in poor
condition. It is deteriorating into the dirt. The newer floating floor is in fair condition.
It is recommended that the stall floor be repaired as necessary. The partial wood floor will likely need to
be replaced with a similar floor. The dirt floor, recently covered up with a new floating floor may be
appropriate in the barn. Even though the dirt floor is original, it may not be practical in the use of the
barn for either storage or a new interpretive use, with public access. If a new floor is deemed necessary it
should be the same wood type, profile, width and run the same direction as the existing floor in front of
the stall. Another option might be to leave most of the dirt floor where it was originally, except for a
section (platform area) in entry into barn that would delineate where the public could stand to view the
interior.
Ceiling
The eight ceiling beams (floor joists for the loft area) run north-south. The beams are partially supported
by boards nailed into the log walls and a centre cross beam that is supported by the stall. There are also
some cross braces to add support to the ceiling and shelves. The ceiling is being used for the storage of
wood, tools, etc.
Condition and Intervention
The ceiling appears to be in fair to good condition, although fairly dirty and every gap full of nuts and
debris. The ceiling should be maintained as it is, repairing and cleaning materials as needed.
43
Shelves and Brackets
The main floor of the barn contains various hand-made elements such as built-in shelves, wall shelves
with unique carved brackets and many hooks, spikes, etc. which all help in the function of the barn for
storage of farm tools, supplies and nuts. These features have been attached to the log walls.
Condition and Intervention
These features are in fair to good condition. These unique features should be repaired if necessary. The
shelves and hooks should continue to be used as they always have been.
Opening and Ladder
The opening in the attic floor that accesses the attic space is located in the north-east corner of the
EXLOGLQJ,WLV¶´QRUWKWRVRXWK[¶´HDVWWRZHVW7KHUHOLNHO\ZRXOGKDYHEHHQDFRYHUGRRUWR
close off WKHRSHQLQJLQWRWKHORIW7KHUHLVDKHDY\FRYHU¶ò´[¶PDGHRIVLPLODUSODQNVOLNHWKH
floor that also runs the same way, that seems to fit into the space. The rustic hand-made ladder is nailed
onto the east wall. It is made up of two round slLPORJVSROHVRQHLV´WKLFNDQGWKHRWKHURQHLVò´
thick) with a top cross piece nailed to the top of the log, securing the two poles to the wall. There are
seven slats for rungs, which vary from tongue and groove flooring pieces to a plain bottom and top rung.
The rungs are nailed to the front of the poles and the ladder poles are nailed into the log walls. The
bottom of the ladder poles are set on the dirt floor. This is a functional ladder. It works and is in good
shape. It is rustic and built re-using available materials around the farm.
Condition and Intervention
The ladder is in good condition and seems to be stable and functional. This is probably as a result of ongoing maintenance by the Gellatlys for safety reasons. No intervention is needed, as the public will not
use this ladder to access the loft.
Loft Area
There are lots of hanging wires from the ceiling rafters and cross braces. There are many spikes, nails,
pulleysKRRNVIURPZKLFKURSHVHWFDUHKDQJLQJ7ZRò´WRQJXHDQGJURRYHERDUGVKDYHEHHQ
attached across the width of the attiFKHLJKWDERXW¶ò´IURPWKHIORRU7KLVLVEHLQJXVHGDVDVSDFH
to store wood, paddles, etc. The loft may have originally been used for hay storage as well as used to
store all sorts of farm equipment.
Condition and Intervention
The loft area is very dusty, dirty, with ORWVRIFREZHEVZDVSV¶QHVWVDQGORRVHQXWV. Like the main floor
of the barn, this area should be cleaned and the debris and loose nuts removed.
44
Potential Use and Public Access
7KH&RQFHSW3ODQLGHQWLILHVWKH³+HULWDJH&RUHDUHD´LQFOXGLQJWKHUHVLGHQFHbarn and nut drying
shed, as the focus for heritage interpretation, which could provide the opportuniW\IRU³OLYLQJ
LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ´7KLVPD\LQFOXGHKRVWVLQSHULRGFRVWXPHVJXLGLQJYLVLWRUVDQGJRLQJDERXWGDLO\FKRUHV
on the nut farm.
The 2003 Concept Plan suggests that the barn would be suitable for the display of agricultural artifacts or
for storage. (Source: Concept Plan, 2003, p. 19) As the barn is important part of the interpretation of the site,
public access may be considered. However, public access should be limited due to the concern for public
safety and the fragile nature of the structure. Entry into the barn should be limited to a secured section of
the main floor of the barn near the entry, in which the visitor can still have a full experience of the barn.
Public access should also be limited to guided tours to ensure both public and the barn¶s safety. The loft
area should be used only for limited storage.
Conclusion
The Log Barn has significant heritage value as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm. This simple vernacular barn
plays an important role in the Nut Farm¶s story specifically about Jack Gellatly, part of an important
Okanagan pioneer and early agricultural family. 7KHEXLOGLQJ¶VFRQWLQXHGXVHDVDbarn for the nut farm
is significant. The barn contributes WRWKH*HOODWO\1XW)DUP¶VVHQVHRISODFHDQGYDOXHWRWKHFRPPXQLW\
Recommendations
It is recommended that the Log Barn and the Gellatly House undergo appropriate interventions as soon as
possible based on the Canadian Heritage Conservation Standards and Guidelines to ensure that these
buildings are stabilized and properly conserved in order to preserve their heritage value. The
conservation and the interpretation of these two buildings should not negatively impact their heritage
significance. To further protect and to commemorate these buildings as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm, it
would be appropriate to apply for inclusion on to the Canadian National Heritage Register. These
buildings, as part of the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, along with the Gellatly residence and barn,
could also be further protected with heritage designation at the local (municipal) jurisdiction and by the
provincial and/or the federal governments.
45