Kendal, northeast of Toronto, has many heritage properties, some dating back to the mid-1800’s. That’s why it’s the focus of Clarington’s Doors Open architectural conservancy tour on June 10th 2017.
The Grange — Wendy and Nicholas Boothman’s farm property — will be a highlight of the tour.
So will “Southwinds”, below. Visitors will be be able to see these houses, barns and properties up-close and learn about their architectural and family histories.
Also known as “The Marr House”, Southwinds was built of cut-stone in 1845 for Scottish immigrant Alexander Marr and his family.
Marilyn Morawetz, leader of Doors Open Clarington, says The Grange and Southwinds are excellent examples of their era.
“Both represent typical architecture at the time by or for families with much to contribute to the early development of the Kendal and Orono areas. Even the barns on both properties are wonderful examples of architecture and life at that time.”
~~~
But let’s return to the Boothmans’ grand adventure in country-living and renovating.
The renovation would take 4 long years.
But the family loved their home, even before it was completed. So did friends, who visited on weekends during and after the renovation.
Finally, all the major work was done. The barn foundations were repaired; the house was made comfortable; the pool and garden put in; the planned extension and verandah added.
The results were beautiful.
With a comfortable house, a sturdy barn and farm animals, 140 acres and spectacular views, the farm was also a gorgeous setting. Nick says:
“After we were well settled at The Grange, the outdoor Shakespearean group Driftwood Theatre Group were looking for an outdoor venue for their first dress rehearsal and they found the beautiful settings at The Grange, perfect.
“So for 6 years in a row, we would have great fun inviting friends and their families from the area and Toronto to join us for an outdoor performance of Shakespeare. Their first season was Romeo and Juliet.
“It was fun and we like to think it gave Driftwood Theatre Group a good start on what has become a very successful annual attraction in Durham Region and beyond.”
~~
Life, of course, has its ups and downs.
In 1998, Nick became ill.
The children told Wendy: “Mummy, we’ll be okay. You focus on getting Daddy better.”
Wendy set a rule: there’d be no sadness and feeling sorry around Nick. At 5 p.m. every day, they held ‘happy hour’ in the bedroom and opened a bottle of red wine. She told visitors only funny stories and positive talk were allowed.
But one day, Wendy “needed to explode”. She drove up the hill to the spot where the whole family had gathered that first day for the picnic, got out of the car, dropped to her knees and banged on the ground with her fists, and screamed.
On her way back, a huge stag stood in one of the fields, staring at her. It didn’t flinch as she passed. Wendy felt the stag was saying: “It’s all going to be okay”.
“And it was,” says Wendy.
From that day, whenever anyone needed to scream about something happy or sad, they’d go to that spot. Today, friends still call to ask if they can go up there and “have a scream”.
That’s how the spot got its name: “Wendy’s Screaming Hill”.
~~~
Photos 1 and 3 by Doors Open Clarington
Photo 5 by Nicholas Boothman.
All other photos by Hamlin Grange
See More Photos of the renovated Grange in Part 4!
Cynthia Reyes 
I am really enjoying the story of the “Grange” – it looks stunning and you tell it so well.
Thanks very much. That matters to me.
What a nice “house” story. I’m sure every house has a tale to tell about its owners.
Thank you. I wish I knew more about the previous persons who lived there. Unless the individuals were prominent in some way, it’s hard to find out about their lives. Frustrating.
What a beautiful home and property!
‘Tis, indeed, Cindy.
This story of this house and property is very moving, and makes it all the more beautiful a home. If walls could talk, what a story each house could tell.
Beautiful place. And a screaming hill to boot.
It’s a great idea!
I love the story of screaming and the message from the stag. And it’s nice that now there’s a place to go release that kind of thing. Marr house is quite beautiful, too.
Me too. And yes, the Marr place is also gorgeous.
Such a treat to read this series Cynthia. I like the screaming hill! Can you hear me screaming from it. Your series is keeping me sane as I recover from a stomach bug.
Oh no. Stomach bugs are awful. Sorry to hear that. Get better!
Working on it!
I am truly getting a charge out of the tale of the “Grange” – it looks staggering and you reveal to it so well….
Thank you very much for reading and liking the series. It was a staggering feat, but they did it! And I am pleased to tell the story.
Magnificent achievement. Great screaming hill story
It really is a magnificent achievement, Derrick. Did you ever have to do a huge renovation on a house?
Never a house, but this garden 🙂
And it is such a beauty. How long have you and the Missus been working at it?
This is our third summer
You’ve both done so much. Well done.
Very many thanks
Love this story and great photos, have driven past the Grange many times, had horses boarded at a farm close by and met your daughter Kate who is lovely. We share a common love for horses, grays apparantly too.
Love to see the heritage of our homes renewed, have a similar restoration story as well. What a beautiful property.
Lovely to read your comment Donna, Thank you. I guess you boarded your horses at Kendal Hills? Next time you drive by come up for a drink – hopefully we will be home.
I’m very glad you like the series, Donna. And thanks for your comments for Wendy and Nick.
It looks beautiful, inside and out. I love the story of the stag and the screaming hill!
Isn’t it a great story, Andrea? We should all have a screaming hill for those times….
A symbolic stag and screaming hill..wonderful story. Hope all is well in your world.
Thank you, Amy. It’s been a challenging 4 months, but I think I turned the corner when we got the series started. I’m having to take the strong PK’s again, but it was well earned, and I am not complaining. Honest pain is worth it!
Wow. What a fantastic story. Loving it.
Me too! Having never done anything on that scale (though my husband and I created gardens from scratch), I am truly impressed.
Yeh. We had to paint our house and put in heating but that was all! But we found it hard enough.
A great story, Cynthia!
Thank you, Clare!
Cynthia, I’m loving this series. “Wendy’s Screaming Hill” is what every person needs when life gets crazy. I’m in love with the house, barn, and land too.
Blessings ~ Wendy
Those house tours must be fabulous. I love Southwinds as well. We see houses like that down here every now and then. Usually Dutch. Hmmm … in fact there is a meetinghouse for Quakers not far away in a house something like that. Anyway, thanks for all these great photos … yeah, no screaming immediately around me – they’ll call the whitecoats!!
You’re right — about the house tours, not the whitecoats, I mean! There are quite a few houses here built of cut-stone, and now you have me wondering if there are any Dutch connections?
What a great idea a screaming hill .. wonderful story. And the property is delightful .. a magic place for a family 😃
There were days when I could have used a screaming hill, too!