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PAGE 10, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 24.1986, WHITBY FREE PRESS -Lynde House past une arthed- Lynde House at new site at Cullen Gardens By Doug Anderson In recent weeks, tbe foundation area of Lynde House bas been the site of an arcbeological dig. There wasn't any fanfare, but tbat -suited Don Brown, the arcbeologist, since he had only six days in wbich to conduct is "dig". Tbe purpose was to get some additional data to assist in tbe restoration of the bouse now tbat it is at Cullen Gardens. The dig bad been proposed by the Whitby Historical Society long before tbe bouse was moved and tbe Town of Witby con- tracted to bave tbe work done. Brown was only conducting a quick survey of tbe site and is report wich sbould be finisbed in a couple of weeks will recommend that furtber excavations be undertaken. The prime focus of the dig was to identify the extent and structure of the building's foun- dations so that these could be duplicated in part at the new site. Axnong the discoveries were tbe following: iThe exposed upper portion of tbe foundation was of fiat limestone slabs wbicb in turn rested on larger boulders. -,The rear wing wich burnt down in 1968 was approximately 20 x29 ft. and bad a foundation wich appears- to bave been bult at or near tbe same time (quite possibly earlier) than the foun- dation of tbe main bouse. After this fire, wbicb started in an upstairs apartment, the rest of the rear wing was demolisbed and tbe debris was simply bulldozed into the basement. eThe foundation of tbe rear wing was con- siderably wider (approx. 30 in.) tban tbat under the main bouse (approx. 20 in.) (Brown felt tbat this may bave been tbe foundation of an original log building.) *The rear structure appears to bave bad a full basemnent to a deptb of at least 5 feet. It bad an external entrance on the East side. 0Althougb tbe main building did not appear to have, a 'basement", there is nevertbeless an en- Don Brown and assistant Rudy Fecteau survey LyndeHouse "dig". trance suggesting tbe presence of a basement on tbe West side near tbe front. Tbis entrance may bave been part of tbe original construction but was bricked over in tbe latter baîf of the last cen- tury, @The pile of boulders wbicb formed tbe foun- dation of the fireplace and chimney stack rested on the surface of the original ground witbout any furtber foundation. (Some of these boulders were s0 big tbat it was ail that Brown and bis assistant could do to sbift tbem.) eBeneatb tbese boulders were two parallel plougb marks running NW to SE approximately 15 inches apart. Tbe site is still surrounded by a fence and is protected under tbe Ontario Heritage Act. In or- der to prevent accidents, tbe boles, some of wbicb are^ six feet deep, will be filled in wben Brown bas completed bis report. Brown bas suggested tbat tbe site is wortby of furtber investigation and members of tbe Historical Society bave expressed interest. Monarcb Homes, tbe owners of the site, are prepared to discuss sucb a projeet, and if grants can be obtained, tbe "dig" would probably be resumed next summer. i i giaBuaw .wa4 r - s Gaga>'. Dur i O i O I i I Freeband drawing of ar- cbaeological excavations at Lynde House site: boxes in- dicate areas "dug"; dotted lines indicate structures presumed to exist but flot ex- posed. Drawn on site by Doug ..'Anderson. Sizes and scale are only approximate. N LYp~ND j SiT U External entrance to front "basement" bricked over înilate l9th century.1 Foundation walls at NE corner of rear basement. DC...t.DAS STRE E I.IArcaologistM