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Institutional Monument

The John Howard Mausoleum sits across from Colborne Lodge in High Park on a manicured plot of parkland on the south side of Colborne Lodge Drive. The monument sits on a grassed promontory which drops off into a forested area beyond.

John Howard designed and erected the Howard Mausoleum in 1875, well in advance of his passing and had probably done so to ensure that the work was properly executed. One of the more interesting aspects of the monument is the east-side iron railing, the design of which is attributed to Sir Christopher Wren. These sections of railing once formed part of the railing that enclosed the St. Paul's Cathedral Yard in London, England and were purchased by Howard for use as the cemetery railing.

Our office was retained by Toronto Museums & Heritage Services in 2017 to prepare Measured Drawings and an Historic Structure Report on the condition of the railing, and make recommendations for its repair.

A subsequent project to disassemble the railing and upper section of the stone foundation was completed in 2020. The railing components were repaired, cleaned and repainted in a dark green colour similar to that found in a watercolour by Howard. The engraved brass plates were cleaned, inpainted and lacquered.