Mural removed from historic building in Port Elgin

For more than 20 years, an Allen C. Hilgendorf mural mounted on the wall of the historic building at the corner of Goderich and Mills Streets, depicted Port Elgin life in the 1800s.

For larger view, Click on Image

Hilgendorf created more than 100 murals throughout Bruce-Grey leaving a legacy trail of history in the many communities throughout the region.

The 22-year-old mural on the Peevers building in downtown Port Elgin has now been dismantled to allow for painting and upkeep of the historic building.

Dismantling photos by Peter Little

The mural, commissioned by the Port Elgin 150th homecoming committee in 2000 and  funded through the proceeds of the homecoming event, was painted by the late artist on sections of plywood, that has unfortunately deteriorated after two decades of exposure to the harsh elements of Bruce County.

“We are pleased to see the outpouring of affection for the mural and we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to come up with a solution that will allow everyone to continue to enjoy it for many years to come,” said John Peevers.

The Peevers family hopes to “… give the mural new life through a high-quality digital reproduction that will replace the wooden panels and will be investigating government funding to help offset the cost.  A new mural would be roughly the same size and reproduced on sections of aluminum that would be more durable but comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $20,000.”

According to artist and muralist, Lambertus (Bert) De Graaf however, who created the mural on the walls of the Southampton Market and the Museum’s HMC General Hunter marine exhibit, says that he feels “the mural is repairable”.

After being dismantled, the art pieces have been safely stored within the Peevers’ building.