Did you know we have The Grange Council responsible for the historic Boulton home and a well loved part of the AGO ?

Over the years as The Grange house function has evolved, within the AGO, so has the Council responsible for its well being. (In the past you may have seen reports by former AGO staff member Jenny Rieger, who kept us up to date on the happening in The Grange house.)

Currently the Council is composed of staff, Mike Mahoney, Executive Director, Corporate Special Projects and Director of Operations, plus volunteers Debbie Kennedy and Shelagh Barrington, Volunteer President, as well as two members of the community, currently John Burns and Robyn Huether. We meet 3 to 4 times a year to oversee four Grange House endowment funds and the building restoration and maintenance projects.

So much has already been accomplished to restore the physical building but there is more to be done to ensure the house meets current standards while maintaining its charm.  Melding today’s requirements with yesterday’s structure is not an easy task.  How do you fit modern heating and cooling equipment into a space meant for a boiler or an accessible washroom in a water closet?  Council has been able to see much of the recent Grange Park development first hand, wearing a hard hat and boots on several occasions, thanks to Mike taking them on tours.

The Grange House faces out onto the beautifully reinvigorated Grange Park and the surrounding community. The Grange Council continues to examine our role considering current and future use of the house, the park and the community we serve.

-Shelagh Barrington