Margaret Atwood to help revitalize famous landmark
BELLEVILLE – Renowned Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood is stepping in to help revitalize a literary landmark in Prince Edward County.
Atwood has announced that she will match any donations to restore a shed on the property of famous Canadian poet Al Purdy who passed away 16 years ago.
The shed is part of the famous A-frame cottage in the village of Ameliasburgh on Roblin Lake built by Al Purdy .
Atwood will contribute up to $5,000 up until March 15.
The shed is where Purdy wrote some of his most famous poems, including one of his favourites At The Quinte Hotel.
That poem was adapted as a short film directed by Douglas Bensadoun and starring Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie.
This is the third project upgrade on the property in the past year. Others were insulation of the floor joists in the main house to support the foundation and vaccinating the ash trees on the property against the emerald ash borer.
Jean Baird, president of the Al Purdy A-frame Association, wants to maintain the property as a retreat for Canadian writers.
The association will now tackle the interior of the cottage by installing wiring and repairing damages after years of abandonment.
In the summer of 2016, the association will be hosting its third writers retreat.
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