Reclaiming history: Old brick gets new life near Tavistock-Sebastopol border

Bill Anderson and Bart Lumley, both from Sarnia, chip mortar from the bricks of a 100-year-old farmhouse near the Tavistock-Sebastopol border. Once cleaned and stacked, the reclaimed bricks are ready to be reused in new projects, preserving the character and craftsmanship of the past. Lumley also offers brick salvage services for farmhouses over 100 years old. He can be reached at 519-383-2024. Gary West photo

By Gary West

It’s always good to see recycling in action, especially when it involves preserving pieces of local history.

Near the Tavistock-Sebastopol border, a century-old brick farmhouse recently came down to make way for new housing, but its story doesn’t end there. Rather than being discarded, the old bricks are being carefully cleaned and saved for reuse. Bart Lumley and Bill Anderson of Sarnia have spent the past several weeks at the site, using chipping hammers to remove old mortar and stacking hundreds of reclaimed bricks neatly onto wooden skids.

“These old bricks are incredibly well made,” Lumley said. “Not every one will make it onto a skid, but most of them are still in great shape – a real testament to the craftsmanship from back then.”

Once cleaned, the bricks will be delivered to CAN-TARIO Brick and Stone on Juliana Drive in Woodstock, where they’ll find new life in fireplaces, landscaping, steps and railings.

Unlike modern, machine-made materials, these reclaimed bricks have a distinct character – each one slightly different in colour and texture, offering a timeless look that appeals to homeowners with an eye for history.