Pieces of U of R history on block
Wood floors, architectural curios going up for bid in online auction
Those who enjoy taking old things and making them new again have a chance to get their hands on pieces of Regina’s history.
Heritage Regina is conducting an online auction of old building materials from the University of Regina’s College Avenue Campus, in the hopes that people who appreciate the materials’ rich history will be able to give them new life.
“We’re trying to repurpose all these things,” said Jackie Schmidt, president of Heritage Regina. “There’s people that are interested in this history and could incorporate it back into their projects.”
“They just need some tender loving care and someone who will appreciate them for the architectural value that they have.”
In the large open room where the materials are being stored, sit pile upon pile of old wooden flooring, baseboards and window casings. Old doors of all kinds stand stacked against the walls, along with old windows and window frames. Packages of decades-old window panes sit in groups in the corner. Everything is divided into lots and labelled.
Schmidt notes that much of the wood is old-growth wood from trees that were more than 100 years old.
“Every lot has a historical story behind it,” said Schmidt. “These are architecturally significant. They belonged to the (College Avenue Campus) and we want to make sure that they are not put into the landfill.”
A set of iron windows is just one example. When the campus building was being redone, these windows were found under a staircase, said Schmidt.
She guessed they were ordered and then didn’t fit properly.
“They just got stuck underneath the staircase, and they were never used,” she said. “They ’re iron windows that are extremely heavy, so they’re ... very old, new windows.”
There are also a few cremone bolts for bathroom doors, which Schmidt said are generating some interest.
These bolts have a knob to turn on one side of the door to show on the opposite side if the room is occupied.
Other items up for bid include an old ornate radiator covered in curlicues; a slate blackboard; slate tiles removed from the roof of Darke Hall more than 25 years ago, and dozens of old doorknobs and hinges.
There are a total of 348 lots between two storage sites.
The online auction opened on Wednesday and will close at noon on June 29.
All funds raised by the auction go toward Heritage Regina’s education programs.
To check out the available auction items, place an online bid, or for more information, go to heritageregina.ca.