Belle Vue National Historic Site sits facing the Detroit River just south of downtown Amherstburg. For 200 years, it has stood majestically as a reminder of a nation rebuilding after the War of 1812. Built between 1816-1819 by Robert Reynolds, the Deputy Assistant Commissary General at Fort Malden, it was also the home of his sisters, Margaret and Catherine Reynolds, whose landscape paintings provide an invaluable record of early 19th century life in Upper Canada. Their works hang in the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Windsor Community Museum, Fort Malden NHSC, and Library and Archives Canada.
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After the Reynolds family, the house was updated by three other families. During its history, Belle Vue served as a convalescent hospital for veterans who served in WWI and later housed the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church providing a connection to the community.
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Belle Vue was designated a national historic site in 1959. It is one of only two buildings in Canada designated for Palladian style architecture. The property was recognized by the Provincial (1984) and Municipal (1988) governments for historical importance and for the Reynolds family’s contributions. Belle Vue has been unoccupied since 2001 and placed on the Top Ten Endangered Places List by Heritage Canada Foundation in 2009.
To preserve this majestic beauty, the Town purchased the vacated property in 2016 This property is waiting for the right investor to leverage its national notoriety to transform it into an economic driver.
Belle Vue Conservancy ® , Amherstburg, Ontario
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From the artist notes for Belle Vue House, circa 1928 (edited):
"This painting was donated by the artist to aid the Belle Vue Conservancy in their efforts to
restore the building and grounds to the appearance shown in this image. Its present Colonial Revival look was established by John C Mullen. In the painting, he and his wife, Isabella are seen receiving guests in the front of their home in the summer of 1928, with several Model-A Fords in view."
The original painting is currently hung in the Council Chamber at the Amherstburg Town Hall
.Artist giclees and/or prints of either painting are given as a thank you for monetary donations to aid in the restoration efforts.
.Unframed, signed and numbered 14”x20” prints are available for purchase at a cost of $50. Available for sale at the Marsh Historical Collection, 80 Richmond St. Amherstburg
Unframed 20”x 28”giclees ( reproduction on canvas with artists authentication ) are $350 .
After the devastating War of 1812, the construction of Belle Vue promised hope.
Artist
PETER RINDLISBACHER
CRA REGISTERED
Business No: 781630678RR0001
"Belle Vue House, circa 1928"
"Belle Vue in Winter"
Mary Anne Adam"s historical novel" The Medicine Bag" takes place in Amherstburg ca.1850. It is narrated by Maketah, a Metis medicine woman, who through the contents of her medicine bag, befriends three other women: Hester, who escapes slavery in the south ; Mary, who takes a treacherous journey from County Cork in Ireland l to escape the potato famine; and Catherine, of Belle Vue, a wealthy woman of social position. Belle Vue plays a key role throughout this enduring story of courage, friendship, and the power of love. The Medicine Bag is available for $19.95 by contacting Mary Anne at maryanneadam39@gmail.com or at The River Bookshop, at Biblioasis and at the Campus Bookstore, University of Windsor
Heritage Buildings of Amherstburg surveys nearly 100 buildings through photographs and snapshot summaries offering a glimpse into Amherstburg’s colourful past. Each structure tells a story of activities and events that occurred within its walls: its owners, occupants, and guests…from prime ministers to town folk. exploring a variety of building types that collectively paint a picture of the fascinating heritage of Amherstburg.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BELLE VUE CONSERVANCY
Amherstburg is home to Belle Vue, a National Historic Site, purchased by the Town in 2016 for $1.1million. BVC funds donated in 2018 replaced the roof, securing the house. Although the Town agreed to pursue government and other funding, there has been no recent application for the annual National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places.
Following COVID-19, Amherstburg opened an Expression of Interest process for the restoration of Belle Vue. Assessment of three applicants was conducted by the Town; only one proposal is known. We declined an invitation to meet with Amico-Loop since we do not endorse this proposal. Suggestions it will cost $14 million to restore the manor do not reconcile with the $3.5 million Fed Dev application we helped submit in 2019 but newer financial details are protected.However, given the renovation and dynamic repurposing of heritage buildings happening in Amherstburg, including Dalhousie Street renovations, the STRY Hotel, Bucket List Roastery and the exciting General Amherst High School presentation from Architectura and Valente it is difficult to understand why the only consideration for the Belle Vue was the Amico-Loop proposal.
Asked to suspend fundraising activity, we waited another year while nothing happened. To answer guest questions, No Belle Vue donation will be given to Mr. Amicone; BVC, as a Federally Registered Charity, will never allow this.
Giving away property of this historic and monetary value is not good for the people or the Town, especially involving a company with a reputation for disregard of historic building preservation on Boblo.Council members have again voted for onsideration of the Amico-Loop proposal. We are asking you to contact Councillors at CouncilEmailGroup@amherstburg.ca to ensure they negotiate any purchase agreement to include proper payment for the property, prompt repair and
repurposing of the building and reasonable public access under Town stewardship to return Belle Vue to the centrepiece of this thriving diverse community offering a doorway to the historic past and contributing to the economic and cultural well-being of present and future generations.
Belle Vue Conservancy
Debra Honor's, UE, PLCGS, new book "The Lives That Touched Belle Vue Amherstburg" involved 14 years of research into the lives of the of the people of Belle Vue and the importance of the building to the history of Amherstburg.. The book is now available for purchase at the Marsh Collection.Society.
