Building Modifications
An interesting "history" of the changes made to the Reddick Mansion during the time span that it was used as a public library is a report complied from the minutes of the meetings of the Reddick Library Board. This report, completed in 2009 for the RMA, was the meticulous and time-consuming efforts of David Mumper. The report lists the changes, over the period from 11 April 1885 to 13 January 1975, made to the building complex.
Some Report Contents
The report mentioned in the preceding section is too detailed to recreate as one webpage. To read the report in its entirety, download the PDF file from the link, just above. However, this page will conclude with a simple list of the major changes made to the Mansion from 1885 to 1975. This list states only those actions that would have resulted in structural modification and/or general wear of the Mansion, itself.
- public library moved from county court house to the Mansion - July 1887
- steam heating system replaces use of coal stoves for room heating - May 1888
- electric lights installed as supplement to current gas lighting system - November 1889
- unspecified repairs to building - November 1896
- water pipes installed to second floor toilet - May 1897
- unspecified roof repairs completed - May 1899
- work on exterior of Mansion and its barn is completed - November 1902
- lead tank, used for rain water storage, removed from fourth floor - December 1902
- old paint removed before roof was repainted - October 1907
- re-wiring of electric system in Mansion - June 1908
- fire escape installed and exterior porch repaired - May 1912
- modifications made to door and wall configuations on second floor - September 1912
- plumbling work completed - December 1912
- change from gas to electric fixtures for lighting in the book stacks is authorized - November 1915
- chimney tuck-pointed and an unspecified ceiling repaired - September 1918
- architect, Jason Richardson, reports on overall condition of Mansion, with recommendations of changes - March 1923
- walls, ceilings and woodwork on lower three floors is "restored" - September 1928
- repair of one chimney and the removal of those no longer in use - June to August 1929
- exterior front stairs repaired - October 1931
- defective mortar in furnace chimney causes fire damage; repairs completed - January 1934
- old chimney replaced with new one; exterior front stairs repaired - November 1934
- new boiler for heating system installed - November 1941
- roof repainted - September 1943
- exterior woodwork repainted - April 1947
- exterior doors at ground level converted to swing out - March 1950
- exterior stonework covered with misture called Armor Coat - March 1950
- new roof, cornices, gutters and downspouts installed; major structural repairs made with addition of steel beams on west side of main floor - March 1953
- repairs to fire escape and wood railings - July 1954
- discussion begins regarding the remodeling of the Mansion or its replacement on the same site with a new building - April 1960
- recommendation made to build a new structure on present Mansion site - June 1966
- new structure on present site now considered best solution to the problem of the need for extensive repairs to Mansion - January 1972
- Reddick Library Board accepts offer from city for the Canal Property, between Lafayette and Washington streets, as site for a new library facility - June 1973
- Reddick Mansion Assocition formed - October 1974 (not found in Mumper report)
- heating system converted from gas to oil - January 1975
- long term lease negotiated between City of Ottawa and the Reddick Mansion Association - 1978 (not found in Mumper report)