Interpretive Centre: East Block, 1886

The Red Parlour, or Sisters' Parlour

hese sombre feelings were appropriate to the other use of the room, which was to lay out Sisters who had passed away, before the funeral services in the chapel. Although another Sister was required to remain with the body during this time, they were sometimes called away, briefly, for an important reason. More than one curious student was given a scare, as they peeked into the Red Parlour at the unexpected sight of a coffin.

When the historic restoration of this room began, it was the job of the painters to study the woodwork. They needed to be able to reproduce the texture of the painted wood grain, which was originally used to give the inexpensive wood trim in the parlours and entrance area the appearance of oak. Dan Evans, the foreman from Canadian Paint and Paper, took courses in Vancouver to acquire knowledge of the woodgraining techniques. Brushes, special woodgraining tools and metal combs were used in this craft, to layer colour. Including the other areas of the Interpretive Centre, almost 400 square metres of grained wood trim and panelling were carefully restored. The painters felt that the painting technique itself was not a challenge, but that replicating the brush strokes of the historic painters was very difficult. Dan thought that by "trying to get into the heads of the guys who did it originally", he would be able to capture their woodgraining style.

Light fixture (click to view large image)

The plaster ceiling in the Red Parlour had suffered damage from the years that St. Ann's experienced neglect, after the closure of the school. The building had also shifted over the years, warping the shape of the walls and ceiling. The central medallions, which were the mouldings around the light fixture, and the floral work in the shape of dogwood flowers, were broken, had missing pieces and were water damaged. The plasterers made rubber moulds of the plaster decorations and replicated pieces to repair the damaged areas. This was a job where modern tools were utilized in a traditional craft; not many people still do plaster work in modern buildings. Other differences between the traditional and restored plaster work included the rubber moulds to shape the decorative pieces, instead of gelatine moulds. Lime and plaster of Paris were used to attach plaster work to the ceiling.

The walls of the parlour were also re-coated in plaster, which was given an unpolished finish, according to the instructions of the architect. Plastered walls are usually given a high polish. This material was fireproofed for the 1990s restoration, another consideration of modern building codes.

Interpretive Centre during renovation (click to view large image)

This room has been used by many people, for many diverse purposes. When the Academy closed and it was no longer a formal parlour, it became a board room, for the meetings of the Provincial Capital Commission. It has been used as a set, for the filming of cinematic productions. Currently, it is open to visitors to the Interpretive Centre at St. Ann's Academy. Guests can sit quietly, gazing at the paintings, or, during the Christmas Season, they can sip hot cider after choir concerts in the chapel and leave gifts for children in need, under the Christmas tree. This parlour enjoys its modern uses!

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