Acquisitions Committee
The Acquisition Committee’s focus was to help organize an approach to our historical representation of Willistead Manor and the Walker Family. When completed it will be placed in the Coach House for public viewing. The donated funds from the Merinoff Family will be used to underwrite this endeavor.
The Board of Directors, Willistead Manor Inc., is grateful to them for their continued support and has since contracted a researcher, Nicole Hutchinson (MBA, MA, BA), to gather all the items and information to begin a possible timeline theme. When completed it will mainly consist of mural like images on the walls of the Coach House and possibly a cabinet filled with items referenced to both the Manor and the Walkers.
It was decided to act on refurbishing the portrait of Elizabeth Talman Walker, donated by her daughter Sue Maloney. It was sent to Toronto to be restored and is now back on the Dining Room wall. It looks wonderful. The Board is grateful to the five Quester Chapters for their generous donation, which was used to offset the cost of refurbishing this beautiful portrait. Under the presidency of Melissa Morris-French the chapters are Talbot Trail #1176, Maple Leaf #311, Windsor Rum Runners #1441, Border City Stars #1369 and Pelle Past #1498. We thank them for their contribution and applaud them and all others who contribute to Willistead Manor.
The Manor received a donation of a French b aker’s rack and a pair of gold gilt lamps from Mr. & Mrs. Tepperman. We would like to thank the Teppermans for these beautiful items. The b aker’s rack is now in the Conservatory and the lamps can be found in the Billiard Room. We have received many compliments on these lovely pieces.
The Acquisitions Committee members attended some monthly auctions at DuMouchelles Auction House in Detroit, Michigan, where we were successful in bidding on a mahogany 18 th century reproduction dining room suite. It is in fine condition and looks spectacular. We were also successful in bidding on crystal and brass chandelier that will eventually hang in Mrs. Walker’s bedroom.
Another project taken on by our committee was to reupholster the Hiram Walker boardroom chair as well as two chairs that are located in the East Gallery. The boardroom chair was covered in leather in an oxblood colour tone and is now located in the Billiard room. The two chairs from the East Gallery were covered in leather in a navy color tone. They look great and truly enhance the spaces that they are in.