Forgotten will could save Dunlap Contents
From Karen Cilevitz:
July 23, 2008, Toronto, Ontario: Yesterday the Board of Governors of The University of Toronto received a legal request asking that the historic contents of The David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill remain in place and any recent removals of scientific equipment, historic and cultural artifacts including furniture, paintings, books, photo albums and other documents be returned.
Under a long forgotten 1948 will, Dr. Mary Robertson, accessed a provision of her grandfather’s estate, forcing the University to “listen cordially and carefully” to her desire to protect the Observatory’s contents. Dr. Robertson is one of the surviving granddaughter’s of Clarence A. Chant, creator of the Observatory which opened to great fanfare in 1935.
Dr. Robertson said, “I am deeply distressed that they are taking the contents out. This is morally reprehensible, and all of these contents should be returned. My grandfather was not only the engineer of this remarkable vision, and, he gave them a lot of money in the process, virtually his entire estate.”
After hearing about local community groups efforts to save the Observatory buildings, contents and surrounding parkland, Dr. Robertson toured the Observatory campus in June. She was impressed with its museum-like quality. Issues surrounding the protection of the Dunlap campus are before the Conservation Review Board of Ontario. The University appears to be in contempt with its deliberate removal of the Dunlap contents, prior to the Board’s hearing sometime this fall.
Dr. Robertson has a clear memory of the opening of the Observatory May 31st, 1935, sitting after the ceremony with MacKenzie King and her grandfather in his Observatory residence, Elm’s Lea.
“Remarkably little about the Observatory’s workings has changed since that day. The greatest difference with the property is the lush mature arboretum. When I arrived for my tour I was fortunate to be greeted by a deer and her twin fawns – it was as if I was being welcomed back.”
Dr. Robertson only recently discovered her grandfather provided for this exceptional opportunity in his will. He ensured if at any time any of his children or grandchildren were “anxious to undertake a project requiring help”, they could legitimately appeal to the University for support.
Dr. Robertson said, “It is now my express desire to take on a project to ensure all the contents of The David Dunlap Observatory buildings remain in situ and any and all materials recently removed by the University properly belonging at the Observatory and related buildings, be returned.”
Contact:
Karen Cilevitz
(416) 990-6694
[email protected]