Description of Historic Place

Situated on a landscaped farmstead on the prairie, the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site of Canada Barn is a large, L-shaped gambrel-roofed structure built of stone and timber. A three-storey structure, its one-storey foundation wall is constructed of split-face granite fieldstone while the superstructure is of board and batten siding. The medium-pitched gambrel roof has three ventilation cupolas and is clad in cedar shingles. The end elevations are symmetrical and side elevations have a regular placement of windows with simple detailing. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Motherwell Homestead Barn is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Motherwell Homestead Barn illustrates the theme of settlers in Ontario shaping prairie society and the Ontario landscape during the settlement era. The Barn, intentionally designed, as an integral part of the model farm, is also associated with the theme of the development of scientific agriculture and the employment of mixed farming practices in the West. Farm beautification and the use of shelterbelts are found in both themes. William Richard Motherwell has been called the father of the Prairie co-op movement and Dominion Minister of Agriculture from 1921-1930. Motherwell played a dominant role in shaping political and social institutions in the West.

Architectural Value:
The Motherwell Homestead Barn is a very good example of a well-proportioned, functional structure with simplified detailing used as barn. It is a thoughtful and efficient response to the conditions and materials of the prairies. Distinguished by its good functional design, it is constructed of solid materials with little ornamentation. The Motherwell Homestead, Barn also exhibits good quality work and craftsmanship.

Environmental Value:
The site is divided into quadrants with different functions. The Barn is the dominant building of the operational quadrant and establishes the present character of the Motherwell Homestead. The complex landscape surrounding the barn features shelterbelts, hedges, laneways, and fences. The height and volume of the barn make it visually prominent and it serves as a local landmark.

Sources: Ian Doull, Motherwell Homestead, National Historic Park, Abernethy, Saskatchewan. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-014; Motherwell Barn, National Historic Park, Abernethy, Saskatchewan, Heritage Character Statement 88-014.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Motherwell Homestead, Barn should be respected.

Its functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship as evidenced in: the simple L shaped massing; the medium-pitched gambrel roof clad in cedar shingles with three cross-gabled ventilation cupolas with trefoil detailing; the superstructure of heavy oak timber structural framing; the one-storey foundation wall constructed of split-face granite fieldstone; the gable ends each with diamond window and date of construction; the timber lintels above the door and window openings; the interior configuration with wooden partitions and the large open volume of the hay floor.

The manner in which the Motherwell Homestead, Barn reinforces the rural character of the Abernathy region of south-eastern Saskatchewan.

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 Barn at Motherwell Homestead was constructed between 1896 and 1907. The design follows traditional barn plan and construction techniques. The roofing was replaced in the 1970s and the foundations and ramp were rebuilt in the 1980s. The building was restored to ca.1910 by Parks Canada in the late 1970s. The current use is as a museum. Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 88-14.

Reasons for Designation
The Motherwell Barn was designated Classified because of its environmental and local significance, its historical associations, and its architectural importance.

The Motherwell Homestead was intentionally developed as an example of model farm planning which emphasized scientific layouts and farm beautification. The model farm layout divides the site into quadrants. The barn is the dominant building of the operational quadrant, reflecting the farming function. The complex landscape surrounding the barn has undergone changes; however, features of shelterbelts, hedges, laneways, fences, and a dugout were reinstated to recreate the original farm character. The height and volume of the barn make it visually prominent and it serves as a local landmark.

The Motherwell Barn reflects the early role of Ontario emigrants in shaping prairie society during its settlement era. As part of the model farm, the barn is associated with the theme of scientific agriculture and the philosophies of mixed farming, the use of shelter belts, and farm beautification in the west.

The homestead was settled by William Richard Motherwell who was the father of the prairie co-op movement and Dominion Minister of Agriculture from 1921-30. He played a dominant role in shaping political and social institutions in the west.

The Motherwell Barn is a well-proportioned, large scaled, L-shaped building. It is a variant of a common Ontario building type, reflecting the preferences of Ontario emigrants, and is one of a few surviving examples of the type left in the prairies. The end elevations are symmetrical and side elevations have a regular placement of windows with simple detailing characteristic of barn design. The form and functional planning reflect the tenets of mixed farming practices.
Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Motherwell Barn resides in the building's form, overall proportions, functional layout, architectural details and materials, and relationship to the site and setting.

The barn is a large L-shaped three-storey structure with a medium-pitched gambrel roof characteristic of the building type. The roof profile has three cross-gabled ventilation cupolas with trefoil detailing. The roof profile and simple massing should be maintained.

The character of the barn derives in large part from its construction materials. The one storey foundation wall is split-face granite fieldstone, rebuilt to match the original construction, with timber lintels above door and window openings. The superstructure of heavy oak timber structural framing contributes to the heritage character. It is clad in vertical board and batten siding common to the building type. The gable ends each have a prominent diamond window with date of construction above. The barn has been re-roofed in cedar shingles. The original materials should be maintained, as well as those installed during the period restoration in the 1970s.

The original wood sash windows and doors should be maintained as they reinforce the utilitarian character of the design, as seen in the early photographs.

The original interior configuration was reintroduced when the barn was restored. The variety of functions of the barn is reflected in the stables on the ground floor, wood framed divisions of the drive floor, and the large open volume of the hay floor. This differentiation of functions through design should be maintained. Any surviving early interior finishes or hardware should be documented and preserved, and incorporated in future work.

The L-shaped footprint of the building and its relationship to the site should be maintained. The dugout located in the quadrant immediately south of the barn uses landscape features to trap and conserve water for use in the barnyard and this relationship should be maintained. Relationships with the shelter belts, fencing and laneways should be respected.