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HomeMy WebLinkAbout581"Newspaper article photocopied fron the New Advertise, Sunday, February 21, 1993, page 5. written by Judith Goulin. Illustration: The Field House Field House impressive sight day and night. The following article is one in a Living History series by the Ajax Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee. By JUDITH GOULIN AJAX - The Field House atop Post Hill on the north side of Hwy. 2 just west of Harwood Ave. truly is an impressive sight. When going up the driveway approaching the house, one has the feeling of stepping back in time. The house was built in 1856 by George Washington Post II. the son of George Washington Post I, builder and owner of the Post Inn which still stands on Hwy. 2 across from Picov Nurseries. The proportions and composition of the Field House indicate it was designed by an architect. George's younger brother was an architect, and it is believed he designed this house as well as several other buildings in Ajax and Pickering. Mr. and Mrs. Post, having no children of their own, raised a niece, Olive Nash, in this house. When the Posts died, Olive inherited the property. She married David Avery, who was the manager of a cheese factory at the southeast comer of Westney Rd. and Hwy. 2. After Olive died, leaving two children, the house was sold by auction to Tom Field in 1893. Tom Field rented the house to a family by the name of Bradford until 1911 when he and his son Claude and family took up residence there. Arthur Field, who lived in the house for many years, was known for his photography. His legacy is the photographs he took of all the local farms which were government prior to the building of Defense Industries Ltd. in Ajax during World War II. He initiated the process of designation for his house under the Ontario Heritage Act, but unfortunately died before the process was complete. Subsequent to Mr. Field's death, the house remained in the Field family until a few years ago when it was purchased by a developer. The Field House is considered an excellent example of rural Gothic Revival style, and is quite often referred to in lectures and presentations given by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. Gothic Revival was popular between 1840 and 1860. This style is characterized by steep pitch on roofs and gables, wide porches, vergeboard and gingerbread work. The Field House displays all the Gothic attributes, and it is the only true Gothic Revival building in existence in the Ajax area. The Field House has a wide verandah which originally encompassed three sides of the house. It is symmetrical with a central gable. The squared tower projecting forward is a small central wing. It is interesting to note that the front door has no knob or handle on the outside. This apparently was an indication that the owner of the house was of high financial standing, as one could only gain entry into the house if the door were opened from the inside. Therefore, servants would have to be employed in the home in order to carry out such tasks as answering the door when guests called. The Field House on top of the " "THE FIELD HOUSE CIRCA 1856 The Field House, atop ""Post Hill"", is situated on the north side of Highway No. 2, just west of Harwood Avenue. It was built in 1856 by George Washington Post II whose father built and operated the Old Post Inn, formerly a station to the east. George's younger brother was an architect, and it is believed he designed this home, as well as several other buildings in Ajax and Pickering. Having no children of their own, George and his wife raised a niece, Olive Nash, who later inherited the property. She married David Avery, who ran the cheese factory located on the southeast corner of Westney Road and Highway 2. When Olive died in 1893, leaving two young children, the house was sold by auction. Thomas Field purchased it and rented it out. In 1911 he moved his family to their farm situated where Rotary Park now stands, and made this handsome house their home. The house remained in the Field family until 1987 when it was sold to Dilhara Homes. The Field house is an excellent example of the Rural Gothic Revival architectural style. The steep pitched roofs and gables, wide verandas and massive decorative gingerbread trim are typical of this style. It is interesting to note that the front door does not possess an exterior door knob; suggesting the owner was a successful man and could afford the luxury of hired help to always open the door from the inside for the master of the house. The Field House was incorporated into the development of the non-profit housing project by Dilhara Homes and Ajax Municipal Housing Corporation called ""Post Hill"". The house was moved from its place on Post Hill while the grade was lowered and an underground parking garage and buildings were constructed. It was then returned to the site, still prominently placed near the highway. The house was restored for use by senior residents of the complex for recreational activities. "