The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) celebrated its 17th annual Heritage awards on October 12. Rod Stewart was the 2023 recipient of the James D. Stachan Award for Craft for his outstanding craftsmanship and expertise in conservation and restoration.
Early in his career, after transitioning to restoration, Rod concentrated on the unique challenges of historic plaster conservation, dedicating his life to prolonging the useful service life of plaster in historic buildings. Over his long career, Rod emerged as North America’s premier expert in conserving historic plaster. He developed products and techniques for specialized plaster conservation, and he ultimately established the North American standard for plaster conservation. All the while, back home in Port Hope, he played a pivotal role in revitalizing the town’s heritage, notably restoring the St. Lawrence Hotel on Walton St., establishing Furby House Books, and helping transform The Capitol Theatre into a renowned cultural hub. Rod has been an influential figure in heritage organizations and is currently involved in restoring Port Hope’s former Royal Bank building.
Visit the ACO Heritage Awards site to read more about Rod’s award and the other 2023 award recipients:
https://acoheritageawards.ca/james-d-strachan-award-for-craft-2/