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Beacon
Nov 1/1900
Workmen are employed on the grounds of Mr. William Hope, Bar Road, getting them in readiness for the elegant summer residence which he proposes erecting there shortly. Mr. Robert Stevenson [contractor for the Algonquin] is the builder.
Beacon
Nov 22/1900
New Summer Homes The grounds upon which Mr. William Hope, of Montreal, proposes erecting his summer residence [Mowatt’s Grove, Bar Road], are being graded and improved preparatory to the constructing of the building. One feature of the place will be an artificial lake, which has been laid out at the spring where so many picnickers have slaked their thirst in by-gone seasons. Quite a respectable little sheet of water has been enclosed. This will be used either as fish pond or a spot for waterfowl to disport in. No part of the house has yet been erected, though it is the intention to have it ready for occupation next season. Mr. Hope will have one of the most beautiful situations for summer house at St. Andrews. The work of erecting Mr. Donald MacMaster’s summer home at the eastern end of King Street is proceeding apace. The foundation walls are almost finished, and the lumber for the superstructure is being placed on the grounds. This cottage will also be ready for occupation the coming summer.
Beacon
June 6/1901
Occupying a romantic position on the Bar Road, on the spot known for so many years as “Mowatt’s Grove,” stands the beautiful summer home of Mr. William Hope, of Montreal. The lower part of the property skirts the CPR railway, so that the house may readily be seen on entering the town. It has a very pretty outlook to the south and east. The structure is over 100 feet long. There is a verandah almost ten feet in width along the Bar Road front. On the railway side, this verandah is increased to fifteen feet in width. The high sloping roof gives the house a unique yet very summery appearance. There are two entrances, one on the railway side of the house and one on the opposite side. They both enter a broad hall or living room, with a massive fireplace in the centre. Between the hall and the front there are two large rooms with a lavatory and closet between and a fireplace in the corner of each. One of these rooms will be used as a library, the other as a bedroom. The dining room, which is on the other side of the hall, is about 19 feet square. It is provided with a large fireplace and china closet. The pantry, which is of good size, adjoins the dining room. The kitchen occupies the whole width of the ell, and is about 15 x 18 feet. Adjoining it in the rear, there is a larder, also a cold room, ice room and wood shed. Upstairs on the second floor there are four large bedrooms one of which opens on a balcony to the east, a commodious hall, also bath room linen closet, etc. On the attic floor, there are two bedrooms for servants, with a lavatory attached. The interior of this dwelling is not plastered, but is covered by a creamy colored pulp, or heavy paper, which gives it a unique appearance. A water tower will be erected in the rear of the cottage for the purpose of supplying it with the necessary water. The grounds around Mr. Hope’s cottage have been laid out in a very tasteful manner. A miniature pond has been constructed nearby the old spring and it will be from its ice-cold depths that the supply for the tank on the water tower will be drawn. A broad carriageway has been opened up a few rods above the railway track. Drives around the building have also been provided for. Mr. Edward Maxwell, of Montreal, was the architect of this building. It was built under contract by Mr. Robert Stevenson , of St. Stephen, which is a sufficient guarantee of the excellence of its construction.
Beacon
March 27, 1902
Mr. William Hope as an artist. The 23rd exhibit of the Royal Canadian Academy opened at the Art Gallery Montreal last week. The Star remarks—“In style and subject there is great diversification in the oils, indeed it would be hard to say which painting attracted the most attention last evening. In a prominent place hangs Mr. William Hope’s “Eastport, Maine.” This landscape, no. 94, showing Eastport from the water, aims at a light effect which is worked out in an excellent, clever manner. It is to all intents and purposes a picture of sky and water, in effect sombre and subdued. Mr. Hope has four oils on exhibit, but no. 94 which by the way has been sold to Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, is unquestionably the best.” Montreal Herald—“The positions of honor this year are given to the works of Mr. William Hope, Mr. Blair Bruce, and Mr. Harris, president RCA. The large picture, 94, “Eastport, Maine,” W. Hope, is attracting much attention, and deservedly so. Mr. Hope has come to the front this year with the stride of a giant, leaving much of the dilettante behind him. He also exhibits some good work in smaller editions.” Saturday’s Star:—At the meeting of the Royal Canadian Academy at the Art Gallery yesterday, Mr. William Hope, R. C. A. was elected an academician. Mr. W. Hope, R. C. A., is a Montrealer, and is well known as a landscape painter. He studied in Paris, and has been for some time an A. R. C. A. His most important work at present in the gallery is large picture of Eastport, Maine, which has already been specially referred to. Mr. Hope replaces as a member of the academy the late Mr. C E. Moss.
Beacon
October 2, 1902
Mr. William Hope is having a studio erected on his grounds, Bar Road.
Beacon
Sept 8/1910
Yacht Sold—The handsome yacht Barracouta, one of the finest of the St. Andrews Yacht Club, has been purchased by Mr. William Hope, of Montreal. This boat was built in New York by the late Mr. Kuhn, and cost in the vicinity of $3,500. Last season she was bought by Mr. Howard Rigby. This year she has been under charter to Mr. Hope, who has now purchased her. Capt. Robert Maloney will be her master.
Beacon
Oct 12/1911
Beautiful works of art. Mr. Hope of Dalmeny paints impressions of great storm of this year. Lovers of art, who have been privileged to see the interior of the art studio of Mr. William Hope, F.R.C.A., this autumn, have had a most delightful revelation of Mr. Hope’s powers as a painter of nature. While he is a keen rider, plays a good game of golf and handles a yacht with the skill of an ancient mariner, it is as an artist that he excels. This is very apparent in the splendid canvases that he has to show as a result of his labors this season. It is difficult to say which is best. One magnificent painting of heroic size, which may grace the Canadian gallery of art at Ottawa, shows a forest scene of wonderful strength and beauty and repose. Its vastness of outline, rich coloring, beauty of conception and wonderful restfulness grow upon the spectator the longer he gazes on it. Of another kind is a stormy day in autumn, when nature is in one of her turbulent moods. The murky sky, the waving trees, the trembling grass and shrubs—all are worked out with wonderful effectiveness. A most striking painting is that in which he has set down his impressions of the terrible storm which swept over St. Andrews bay a few months ago. Mr. Hope was in the midst of it, in most deadly peril, and the scene that he has painted is one that is calculated to make a lasting impression. The gloom that pervaded everything on that never-to-be forgotten day is well depicted. In the foreground is shown the dredge and tug doing battle against the raging tide, while here and there, through the gloom and sea spume one gets a faint glimpse of the wharves and harbor front. One very beautiful painting is an autumn forest scene, with the tall birches and maples in autumn tints and poses. Another is a sketch of the harbor front, of Palermo, Italy, as a result of Mr. Hope’s Mediterranean trip of last season. Several other attractive sketches grace his studio. Mr. Hope is modest about his work and dislikes publicity, but it is difficult to hide such talent as he possesses under a bushel or in the very pretty little studio among the birch woods on this beautiful summer property.
Beacon Oct 29, 1914 Mr. and Mrs. William Hope and family left for Montreal Saturday evening last. It is winter, indeed, in St. Andrews when they leave us; for of all our summer residents none endear themselves more to the permanent inhabitants, none enter more sympathetically into the life and spirit of this old world town, then they. And those who have enjoyed the hospitality of “Dalmeny” look forward to the spring when this charming home will again receive its fortunate owners.