The first of each month is a theme day for members of City Daily Photo. For the first of March, the theme this time out is Aging, or Ageing, depending on which version of the word you use (this is one of those few occasions where we Canadians use the American version of the spelling). Julie from Sydney came up with the theme this time out. You can find other interpretations of the theme at this link.
I had decided on this house for the theme early on- though this is in fact an unpublished shot from late November 2013. Abbotsford House dates back to the 1870s, located in the Glebe. At that time, it was a home for the elderly poor (who were dubiously referred to as inmates). Today the Gothic Revival house serves as a senior's community centre with a variety of programs throughout the week for people from the age of 55 and up. A retirement home building is on one side, and a nursing home on the other, so there is plenty of activity to be found inside. For the public, it is open for a Christmas bazaar in the fall, and it has participated in Ottawa's Doors Open program on a regular basis. Abbotsford is a beautiful place, both inside and outside.
Good choice. It looks like a lovely building and surely has a fine history. I'd love to see the inside.
ReplyDeletefine old gal
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Beautiful old building! I love the trim work.
ReplyDeleteAging is a state in which we have to pass all if we do not die before. It's inescapable.
ReplyDeleteTomás.
Lovely solid looking old building and being put to good use, great stuff.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place William
ReplyDeleteNice photo.
ReplyDeleteSpellings are funny. It's not always about where we're from. Some words like doughnuts I spell but I will see some in your area spell it donuts. Doesn't much matter, these days. But I'll always write, doughnuts.
Aging people in the aging house, a nice combination.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice the building is used as an eldery home.
ReplyDeletei love the detail at the top of the eve. is that the right word? at the top of the home. very very fancy. ( :
ReplyDeletea nice example for your theme.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely place!
ReplyDeleteIt's had quite a life, with no end in sight.
ReplyDeletenow that's a nice aging center. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat choice William.
ReplyDeleteLove the double meaning here, though 55 for starters is very young nowadays!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking very good in it's old age.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent choice, and I agree with ciel about 55...
ReplyDeleteIt's a beauty. It would look better with a nice landscaped yard in front instead of a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteThe house seems to be in good operating condition. Doesn't look so old.
ReplyDeleteHugs
@Hilary: I'm hoping it takes part in Doors Open again this year, otherwise I'll be able to get in for that bazaar in late fall.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: it is kept in good shape.
@Elaine: a lot of love's gone into keeping this place.
@Tomas: this is true.
@Geoff: thanks!
@Gerald: thank you.
@Whisk: it occurs to me that because I don't go into such shops, I don't know which version of the spelling we use here.
@Dina: it certainly is.
@Marianne: it's continued to be quite well used.
@Beth: I think eave is the term, though I'm not sure if there are variations of spelling regionally.
@Gill: I certainly thought so.
ReplyDelete@Aimee: that's what I think when I see it.
@Birdman: there's no reason it won't remain in place for a long time to come.
@Tex: it felt just right for the theme.
@Luis: thanks!
@Ciel: it is, yes.
@Sharon: old age being a relative term. In Europe, this building would be considered a youngster.
@VP: I suppose there's a different pace for someone at that age than there is for someone at ninety, and the programs would reflect that.
@Judy: I'll have to photograph the surroudings in summer. There is some gardening done here.
@Orvokki: they take good care of it.
An excellent choice for the theme William. It is a beautiful house being used for a good purpose.
ReplyDeleteA lot of old buildings have so much history and character. It's a shame to see so many of them demolished to make way for those newer, cookie-cutter type buildings.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like a beautiful place William and I bet there is a lot of activity going on behind those walls, oldies can be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks such a beautiful old building. Sounds like it's a great place for senior citizens. I volunteered in such place before and they had lots of activities like crafting and such. Happy March! (Can't believe it's March already!)
ReplyDeleteGlad you acknowledge the different spellings for aging... it was something I reflected while browsing the theme day contributions ... also glad society has moved passed the days when the elderly poor were referred to as inmates ... your photo is good and the building appears to have a lot of character ... but it was your explanation which I enjoyed the most.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is aging well while providing space for those who are aging themselves. Nice one, William.
ReplyDeleteI had to go back to see what this post was all about. Yes , this was a very clever post.
ReplyDeleteIt also must look lovely in Summer with the branches growing on the outside walls.
ReplyDeleteGood choice indeed :)
ReplyDeleteGreat theme day post for Ageing.
ReplyDeleteSenior Community Centers serve a very useful purpose and this building looks pretty good. Just hope people can get in and out safely with all that snow!
ReplyDeleteI love these old stone houses so common in Ontario. It's nice to see this 'aging' one being put to good use for the aging population.
ReplyDelete@Lois: it certainly is.
ReplyDelete@Norma: there are too many of these cookie cutter type buildings.
@Grace: I remember being in there for a Doors Open one day, and one of the people on hand mentioned that during renovations, bottles of booze were found secreted into the old walls!
@Tamago: the place certainly seems to keep busy.
@Denton: it certainly does have a lot of character.
@RedPat: thanks!
@Red: thank you.
@Marleen: I will definitely have to photograph the ivy in summer.
@Anna: thanks!
@Jim: thank you.
@Lauren: oh, they keep the area very tidy in terms of snow clearing.
@Pamela: it's a style of house that really appeals to me.
I have to laugh at the term "inmates." On those days I'm more aware of "aging" that term does have some resonance...prisoner of age!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful house.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history of such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteI like that Gothic style of architecture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful old building, and a striking photograph.
ReplyDelete@Kay: I hadn't thought of it that way, but it does make sense.
ReplyDelete@Randy: I see it regularly through the week passing by. I never get tired of seeing it.
@Mari: you're most welcome.
@Jack: it reminds me somewhat of the house my aunt and uncle lived in for many years on their farm. My cousin has it now.
@Molly Jo: thank you!
It looks like it has a lot of life left in it. Lovely. Love the pointed roof.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Great choice for the theme.
ReplyDeleteI love the gable.
ReplyDeleteLooks solid and stable, just perfect.
ReplyDeleteSo it's aging inside and out!
ReplyDeleteI love old houses and especially the wood detail on this :)
ReplyDeleteIt's in the perfect location to serve it's community.
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be a wonderful old building. I'm glad to hear it has found a good destination.
ReplyDeleteCharming old building. Glad to hear it's being put to good use!
ReplyDeleteNeat old building still serving the seniors.
ReplyDeleteMB
@Janis: I expect it'll be around a long time to come.
ReplyDelete@Jen: thanks!
@Annette: so did I.
@Peter: it seems enduring.
@Stuart: it is, yes.
@Jen: this one's got a lot of detail.
@EG: it is quite well located.
@Jan: when they first built it, it wasn't particularly in that much of an urban setting, if I recall- most of the city was contained to the north at the time.
@SRQ: thank you!
@MB: and serving them well.
Looks like a nice place to retire. An old building for us old folks!
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a place.
DeleteI would say that Abbotsford House has aged beautifully. The Gothic Revival architecture is quite nice. Perhaps you can give us a peek inside on a future post.
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
I'll have to do so sometime again.
DeleteA great old building. I hope the "inmates" enjoyed it...
ReplyDeleteOne would hope!
Delete