Edgar Tumak

In addition to architectural history and heritage planning, Edgar's additional pursuits include Baroque dance and photography, early music choral singing, (notably as a chorister and board member for Melos in Kingston and stage director for their pre-Lenten Carnival concert). He also trained himself in French haute cuisine from the books of Time Life and then Julia Childs (somewhat in the manner of the movie Julie and Julia--but decades before) which offers great delights for entertaining and special events for friends (including charitable receptions, retreats or even weddings). His current specialisation is in vegetarian and gluten-free ingredients featuring local seasonal produce from the St. Mark's garden or local producers.

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Until 2019, St. Mark's Hall in Deseronto, was the residence for Edgar, his spouse Paul Robertson (also an historian), and a pride of affectionate cats. Formerly an Anglican Church, it was constructed 1878-88, to the design of Frank Darling (an architect of national note whose firm designed many buildings for the University of Toronto, Anglican Diocese of Toronto, and the current Centre Block of Parliament in Ottawa). Restoration has included protection and consolidation of all 26 stained glass windows (one 2 x 5m) as well as the other 33 windows/openings, extensive repointing of the limestone masonry, replacement of all mechanical services and roof, adaptation of the lower level as an open concept core living space, and extensive landscaping. The opening page shows the repointing of the tower interior.

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Click here for a history of St. Mark's Hall

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In his small  home town of Deseronto located between Kingston and Belleville a short distance south of the 401 by the Bay of Quinte, he served two terms as a municipal councillor and focussed on Economic Development, Transit—now an award-winning regional rural public transit system (serving as chairperson of the management committee for most of its history--on going), the Quinte Conservation Authority, and Archives Board. Edgar was part of the organising team for Deseronto Doors Open 2011, and provided most of the architectural text.  Click here for the link.

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At a local charitable level he also ran an animal welfare group for the town and surrounding area, concerts at his residence for local charities, and is active in the local Mohawk Anglican Parish of Tyendinaga (which includes the Chapel Royal to the Mohawk National Historic Site)--including serving as a Warden and on Parish Council for many years.