home > The Hamilton Military Museum
The Hamilton
Military Museum: Formerly the Myler House
By Daniel
Cumerlato
A piece of history is going to be kept when the mansion the Myler’s lived in is converted to townhouses. This seems to be a better deal then Bellevue got when it fell in 2000. A bright future is ahead as Hamilton comes closer and closer to finally being able to save the whole structure. Read this article and tell me whether you feel if a piece of history is better then none.
The plan is to build six townhouses in the spot where the Myler mansion stands, however this is not how it started. Builder Angelo Riccio’s original idea was to demolish the house and build a 12-floor condominium. This was foiled by the Hamilton Conservation board and the Durand Neighbourhood Association standing up for their love of historic mansions and is part of Hamilton’s new found policy to save history.
Update:
Townhomes have now been built on the spot of the
old Military Museum.
The
Save
________________________________
The
Durand neighborhood has the most impressive Victorian style homes in all
of Hamilton. It seems as if time has stopped in this beautiful and secluded
downtown neighborhood. This is where you will find the most unique and
appealing Victorian homes in all of Ontario. 61 Robinson is among them
and was recognized for this when listed on the Former city of Hamilton’s
inventory of buildings with architectural and/or historical interest.
The city
tried to suggest some alternatives that would save the home. Considered
was a bed and breakfast and condos that would reside in the current mansion.
The deal was finally sealed with Mr. Riccio agreed to integrate six townhouses
into the current structure. The architects building the homes have promised
to keep as much of the old structure as possible.
The
History
________________________________
The
original owners of this mansion were Paul
Judson Myler and his wife Maude Lottridge Myler. The house was built
for the happy couple after they married and would be their home until
death.
Paul was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1869 and toke his first job at the Westinghouse Air Brake Company as a bill clerk when he was 17 in 1886. He came to Hamilton in 1896 as secretary for the Canadian Westinghouse Company. In 1903 he was elected vice-president, and then in 1917 deservedly was made the president of the company.
As Paul’s
career grew, so did his urge to settle down. In 1898, Paul Myler was married
to the love of his life, Lily Maude Lottridge. Lily Maude was the daughter
of James Lottridge, owner of the Grant – Lottridge Brewing Company.
The Lottridge family was among the original settlers to the Head-of-the-Lake
(now
Hamilton) and you may see the name used for a street located on the west
end of Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Paul’s
reputation focused on his dedication to the health and well being of his
employees at Westinghouse. Among his initiatives you will find early versions
of sickness and accident benefits, a life insurance policy, and in 1920
he pioneered the idea of a company paid pension plan. He death on April
24, 1945 was a sad day for Hamilton, and the city mourned for the well-respected
and loved pioneer.
Paul's
Nurse
________________________________
The
registered nurse Ella
Baird worked at Westinghouse from 1931 ‘till 1961. She lived
at 61 Robinson until Maude’s death at which time she received two
inheritances from both the Myler’s, who were childless. At her death
in 1988, the money from the Myler’s was utilized by Ella’s nephew,
A.J. McQueen to establish the Ella Baird & Grace Baird McQueen (Ella’s
sister) Memorial Fund to be used for charitable purposes in Hamilton.
How
Hamilton Fell Short
________________________________
I
don’t think this attempt to save part of the mansion instead of the
whole mansion is enough. Hamilton needs to realize that a part of the
building doesn’t show respect to the original architect or the people
who called this place home. Paul Myler was a respected figure in this
city’s history and his one of a kind dedication made Westinghouse
Hamilton among the largest
companies in Canada.
All of this begs the question, “Should the home of a famous person be treated with the same respect and admiration as the person?” I think all historically important homes should be turned into museums focusing on the famous person who lived there, serving up history for all young people. They should be immune of progress and should be kept as immortal shrines for future generations.
Update:
Townhomes have now been built on the spot of the
old Military Museum.
