Menu:
Auchmar - the Gem on the Mountain
"Worth Fighting For Auchmar"
The Hamilton Spectator certainly got it right concerning Auchmar in its editorial on April 29, 2011. "For Hamilton to reach its full potential in future, it has to support and appreciate its past, and treasures such as Auchmar are an important part of that equation. It's a place that oozes potential, located as it is on prime west Mountain real estate, ... . It is also worth noting that Auchmar should matter to city hall in part because it is located on the Mountain. Downtown Hamilton has no shortage of historically significant sites, but we sometimes forget our city's history also includes the Mountain, and Auchmar is a perfect manifestation of that truth." To read this complete editorial click on Spectator editorial of April 29, 2011.
The Mountain Community Has Discovered Auchmar
The home of Isaac Buchanan has been discovered by the people of Hamilton Mountain. Whenever the property is opened for public visits the response is phenomenal. There is widespread support for the idea that Auchmar deserves to be restored and made available to the public or retained for public use. The people have caught the vision of Auchmar as the Dundurn Castle of the Mountain. Over the years there have been several initiatives to get an Auchmar restoration project underway but each time things get bogged down in the quagmire of Hamilton's municipal bureaucracy. Admittedly, this is neither a simple nor an inexpensive project. However, once again it appears that public enthusiasm for a worthy project has exceeded the vision of those who could make it happen. A few months ago it seemed as though Auchmar was back on the city's agenda. The shrubbery on the Fennell Avenue side of the main building was removed, in keeping with the plan to restore the grounds of Auchmar to their original appearance. People who had been unfamiliar with the historical significance of the property were enthused to view this building with such character in their midst. But now the restoration Project signs are down and it appears that perhaps the expected funding for the next stage of the project will either be delayed or diverted. We have in our midst a heritage gem that could be a visible cultural monument to where we have come from and what we aspire to be. Hopefully an observant public will challenge those with the authority to take action to see the worth of what they have been overlooking.
New Auchmar Website
Bill King has been working on this for some time now and has developed a great site with many pictures and lots of interesting details about Auchmar's history. Bill is also putting the finishing touches to the manuscript of a book on Auchmar. Visit the Bill King's Auchmar Website. This is a constantly changing site that you will want to bookmark and visit often.
Strong community interest in Auchmar demonstrated at Doors Open
Auchmar was a popular place on both Saturday and Sunday, May 7th. and 8th. People streamed in to see this special place on Hamilton Mountain that is seldom open to the public. Many who had been there before were delighted to be able to explore the upstairs as well as the main floor. My guess is that the total of visitors for the two days will exceed two thousand. This response clearly demonstrates that the Hamilton community has a strong interest in Auchmar and its future. It is hoped that the City of Hamilton, which owns the property and has the opportunity to do something really special with it, recognizes the interest that Auchmar generates in our community. We hope to post some of our doors open photos soon.
The Auchmar Challenge Fund
The Heritage Hamilton Foundation has established an "Auchmar Challenge Fund". They have set aside $25,000.00 to be used to match, dollar-for-dollar, donations from the community for the restoration of the Auchmar manor house. (Income tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20.00 or more.) Donations may be directed to the Heritage Hamilton Foundation, P.O. Box 89016, Westdale Postal Outlet, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4R5. Inquiries may also be directed to heritagehamiltonfoundation@gmail.comAuchmar on You Tube
There are a number of postings on You Tube that feature Auchmar. Most of them seem to be a reflection of the idea that abandoned buildings are all haunted but, that said, they often provide some interesting photographic and video material. For example, a selection labeled Doors Open Hamilton (Auchmar Estate), Sat. May 1, 2010, gives an impression of the present state of Auchmar. Disregard the overly dramatic background music and it is worth watching. Another interesting You Tube Auchmar selection is called Auchmar Estate (a peek inside) and is a collection of current and older photographs of the interior of Auchmar.
As we are a new website we anticipate posting lots of new material. Check back often to stay up to date on what is happening on Hamilton Mountain.
The banner graphic on this page depicts an old woodcut illustration of auchmar.