Mel Shakespeare has been repurposing old buildings for decades, long before adaptive reuse was a thing in the building world. Now the 82-year-old Cobourg, Ont. resident is in the final stages of writing a book that looks back on the mostly 19th century a
September 12, 2023
Now the 82-year-old Cobourg, Ont. resident is in the final stages of writing a book that looks back on the mostly 19th century abandoned buildings he has brought back to life over his 57 years in the field. “This book is something friends and others have been telling me to do for years but I just didn’t have the time,” he says, adding a first look at the yet-to-be published book has received favourable reviews from noted Ontario historians.
With little experience in construction but plenty of courage, he set about building the 30-by-22-foot storey-and-a-half home with his wife Jean and the help of a man with a crane to move and assemble the large hand-hewn logs.A carpenter helped him build the roof.
Shakespeare has had log house commissions from as far away as New Zealand. On one unusual job he transported logs from Ontario to assemble a replica of a pioneer home which was housed in a state museum in Austin, Texas.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Researchers spot one of the largest pods of killer whales recorded in N.L. in 100 yearsIt's been an exciting summer for local whale researchers, who were able to satellite tag an orca for the first time
Read more »
Researchers spot one of the largest pods of killer whales recorded in N.L. in 100 yearsIt's been an exciting summer for local whale researchers, who were able to satellite tag an orca for the first time
Read more »
Metal detectorist discovers ancient gold jewelry, Norway's biggest find in more than 100 yearsKitco News' general-interest stories takes a look at what is making headlines in the marketplace and how that is impacting precious metals prices
Read more »
Unrelenting rain causes more than 100 landslides, traps residents in floodwaters in southern ChinaBEIJING (Reuters) - Days of relentless rain from the remnants of former Typhoon Haikui have caused more than 100 landslides, trapped about 1,360 ...
Read more »
Unrelenting rain causes more than 100 landslides, traps residents in floodwaters in southern ChinaBEIJING (Reuters) - Days of relentless rain from the remnants of former Typhoon Haikui have caused more than 100 landslides, trapped about 1,360 ...
Read more »
Odds of Pepe bidding farewell to the top 100 crypto clubPEPE is witnessing a massive increase in selling pressure, which has resulted in a double-digit drop in the memecoin’s price over the last week.
Read more »