The leader of a Facebook group that formed around saving the Petrie building from neglect will give a presentation on the building on Oct. 17 at The Bookshelf’s eBar.
David Knight, who started the Save the Petrie Building Facebook group earlier this year, was invited by the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario to speak about the downtown building in a public event.
In his talk, “The Petrie Building; An Archaeology of Social Networks,” Knight will detail the initiation of the Facebook group and explore the identity of A. B. Petrie Senior and Junior and their contributions to the biography of John Day’s architecture, a news release said.
The presentation follows the changes of ownership and usage of the building and includes an investigation into the names that have been inscribed on the building’s interior walls, it said. The issue of “demolition by neglect” will also be addressed. The event, which starts at 7 p.m., will also be a chance for members of the Facebook group to meet in person and also to meet members of the ACO , Knight said in a Facebook posting. Knight, who was born and raised in Guelph, is an archaeologist trained in the U.K. He is a practising artist working in several media.

Exhibit marks birthday
An online group that formed around rescuing the Petrie building from neglect will celebrate the downtown building’s 130th anniversary with an upcoming art exhibit.
The one-day show, to take place on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at ED Video, 40 Baker St., is an art exhibit inspired by the Wyndham Street building.
The show will include photographs and video of the upper Petrie rooms, with the permission of the Agelakos family, as well as other depictions of the building by local artists in a variety of media, a news release said. The exhibit is being presented by the Save the Petrie Building Facebook group.