New Main Branch Library
Located at 13 Burwell Street in Paris, Ontario, the Bawcutt Centre (formerly known as the Paris Old Town Hall) was built in 1854 and is one of the oldest Gothic Revival-style buildings in Canada.
In 2020, the location was designated a National Historic Site and on September 24, 2021, it was announced as the future location of the County of Brant Public Library's new Main Branch Library. At the heart of its community, the building will be restored as a cultural anchor for County of Brant residents.
This project is guided by a Steering Group composed of Library Board members and the Bawcutt Centre Advisory Committee.In July 2023, general contractor Collaborative Structures Limited prepared the site for construction and stabilized the original, heritage-designated building. This included the demolition of a two-story addition and several outbuildings, as well as structural reinforcement work including the removal of loose masonry and tarping of the bell tower.
Update: On October 23, 2023, County of Brant Council voted to defer progress on the library project. We hope to move forward again in Winter 2024. Please watch here for further details.
Latest news
| Media releases |
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July 21, 2023 - Demolition Begins at New Library Site June 29, 2023 - County of Brant Public Library new Main Branch receives Council approval January 26, 2023 - Public open house will showcase draft designs of the new Main Branch Library and encourage feedback from residents October 14, 2022 - County of Brant Public Library chooses award-winning firm, DPAI Architecture Inc., to design new Main Branch Library September 24, 2021 - County of Brant Public Library and County of Brant announce historic location of new main branch library |
| Approved design concepts |
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View approved design concepts: Photo Gallery: Draft designs of the new Main Branch Library will appear here on the public site.
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| Public open house |
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Proposed 3D draft design concepts and site plans were presented by the project Steering Group and DPAI Architecture Inc. at a public open house on February 6, 2023. View the Steering Group's presentation slides here. View DPAI Architecture Inc.'s presentation slides here. |
| Community feedback |
| Visit our online forum to read feedback from the community. |
| Reports & studies |
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June 2023 - New Main Branch Library Report to County of Brant Council October 2018 - Main Site Sub-Committee Report to the Library Board May 2018 - Quick Fact Sheet - Why We Need a New Main Branch November 2017 - Library Site Selection Study Draft Report: Paris Branch August 2016 - Paris Branch Library Facility Planning Study: Final Report |
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Recordings |
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February 6, 2023 - Video recording of a public open house featuring draft design presentations by the Library Steering Group and DPAI Architecture Inc. 2018 - Audio recording of Marilyn Sewell, Library Board Member (recorded during public focus group session) |
Building history
From a rich past to a future full of discovery! The Bawcutt Centre has served a variety of purposes over the years including town hall, needleworks factory, performance theatre, Mary Maxim store, auction hall, and soon-to-be location of the new Main Branch of the County of Brant Public Library.
| Digital Historical Collection |
| Search for historical images of the building at brantlibrary.ca/History. |
| Building Timeline |
| Read about the building's construction, uses, and special events here. |