Charron House
Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Gatineau, Quebec
General view
(© National Capital Commission | Commission de la capitale nationale, 1981)
Address :
1 Laurier Road, Hull, Gatineau, Quebec
Recognition Statute:
Treasury Board Policy on Management of Real Property
Designation Date:
1985-07-23
Dates:
-
1832 to 1841
(Construction)
Custodian:
National Capital Commission
FHBRO Report Reference:
85-09
DFRP Number:
01501 00
Description of Historic Place
The Charron House stands in the centre of Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Hull sector near the Ottawa River. The one-and-a-half storey, sturdy, stone building has a rectangular plan, a high gabled roof, dormer windows, gable chimneys and a bell-curved eave. The door and window openings are asymmetrically arranged. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Charron House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value
The Charron House is associated with Gatineau, Hull sector’s river transportation and shipbuilding industries, which began when it was sold to the Ottawa Transportation Company, by Janet Louisa (Wright) Scott, in 1912. The Charron house is built on land rented from Philemon Wright, and is also associated with the early settlement of Gatineau, Hull sector.
Architectural Value
The Charron House is valued for its good aesthetics. Typical of ‘maisons québécoises’ of its era, the house is functional, with hearths for heating and cooking at either end of the kitchen-dining room. It represents a transition between the ‘maison traditionnelle québécoises’ of the 18th century and the more modern 19th-century home. The high gable roof, low foundation, asymmetrically arranged openings, and gable-end chimneys are features common to buildings in many parts of Québec beginning in the late 17th century. However, the height and angle of the roof, and the bell-curved eave on the front of the house are features that are more common to 19th-century houses. Very good craftsmanship is evidenced in the very thick walls.
Environmental Value
The Charron House reinforces the present character of its recreational park setting and is a familiar landmark.
Sources: Julie Harris, Maison Charron, Parc Jacques Cartier, Hull, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 85-009; Charron House, 142-44 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 85-009.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Charron House should be respected.
Its good aesthetic design, functional design, and craftsmanship, for example: the one-and-a-half storey massing with a gable roof and gable-end chimneys, and the third, central chimney that incorporates a baking oven; the sturdy, thick stonework of the exterior walls, the asymmetrical façade and the placement of exterior openings including the dormers, the windows and the doors; the interior configuration as a double facility building.
The manner in which the Charron House reinforces the present character of its recreational park setting and is a familiar landmark as evidenced by: its small scale, design and materials, which harmonize with its landscaped park surroundings; its location near the Ottawa River, and its attractive appearance that make it a local landmark.
Heritage Character Statement
Disclaimer -
The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.
The Charron House, constructed in two stages between 1826 and 1841, is a small one-and-one-half storey stone structure, and is notable because it is a rare surviving example of a maison québécoise in the National Capital Region. In addition to its significance in terms of "Typicality," it has environmental value.
ARCHITECTURE
The Charron House is a vernacular building which was probably built by Charron himself, with the help of a stonemason, on land rented from Philemon Wright. It represents a transition between the maison traditionnelle québécoise of the 18th century and the more modern 19th century variety. On the one hand, it has a high gable roof, a low foundation, asymmetrically arranged openings, and a chimney at either end of the gable, all features which are common to buildings in many parts of Quebec beginning in the late 17th century. On the other hand, the height and angle of the roof, and the bell-curved eave on the front of the house are features which are more common to 19th century houses.
Like other examples of maisons québécoise, the Charron House is an utilitarian structure, with hearths for heating and cooking at either end of the kitchen-dining room. A usually large family would spend most of the day, particularly during the winter months, in this one and only large room of the maison québécoise which was built to resist the cold and humid climate. The walls of the Charron House are 2.5 feet thick in the older section, and 3 feet thick in the second part, while a third chimney was added which incorporated a baking oven as well as a fireplace.
HISTORY
The Charron House was somewhat associated with the early settlement of Hull, but more important is its association with Hull's river transportation and shipbuilding industries, which began when it was sold to the Ottawa Transportation Company, by Janet Louisa (Wright) Scott, in 1912.
ENVIRONMENT
The Charron House is located in the middle of Parc Jacques Cartier. Although the site has changed dramatically since the middle of the 19th century, the small scale of the house is compatible with the landscaping of the park and the recreational use of the site. Its public profile has declined, but having been a local landmark for at least 30 years, it is still considered as a significant piece of heritage by the community.