After three years of community collaborations since its last move in 2009, and hundreds more hours recently involving logistics and planning by volunteers and lines crews, the historic Morris House will be moving January 25th from Hollis Street to its new home in North End Halifax.
The 4. 5 kilometer, two day journey will begin (weather permitting) in the early morning hours of Friday, January 25th (storm day Saturday, January 26th). S. Rushton, house movers from New Glasgow, will transport the house along Water Street, up Sackville St. and onto Brunswick where it will rest for a day on the corner of Cogswell and Brunswick. Sunday, January 27th Gottingen Street will close down for traffic after midnight and it will continue, with its escort of police and heavy equipment, to Charles Street. From there it will roll along another block to its new home just opposite Joseph Howe School.
Details on street closures and timing for the move will be issued by the City and up dated at www.morrishouse.ca. City engineers, telecommunications people and Nova Scotia Power have been working hard on this historic and unprecedented event. It is a sight you won’t want to miss.
Recently Grade 4 students from Joseph Howe Elementary School walked the entire route the Morris House will take. “They have been following progress on the House closely, learning about its history, the engineering needed for the move and the community purpose it will fulfill.” explains school principal Patricia Tupper. Many more learning opportunities await them once construction on the site begins. They are also part of planning community welcoming events next week.
Documenting the Morris House and its move will be the role of youth film project, In My Own Voice based out of Uniacke Square. Windfall Films, a documentary film company from London, England is also producing an HGTV special for their series Massive Moves.
“The move has become a symbol for resilience, transformation, determination and finding opportunity in unlikely places” muses Kim Thompson of the Ecology Action Centre. “The project is driven by the pressing need for healthy, affordable, and energy efficient housing, as well as the importance of stable housing for many young people that do not easily have access to it”, adds Metro Non-Profit Housing director, Carol Charlebois. It also draws attention to the role our heritage buildings can have in developing Halifax.
The public is encouraged to come out and celebrate the journey of the Morris. There will be a send off gathering at the Morris’ current location, 5128 Lower Water Street, Thursday, January 25th 7:30-8:30 p.m. A “welcome to the neighbourhood” will take place at noon on Monday, January 28th at Joseph Howe School –corner of Charles and Creighton.
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