Description of Historic Place

Building 43, also known as the Public Works Officer’s Residence, is situated on a steep cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence in the Grosse Île and Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada. The long, low building has a mansard roof pierced by a dormer window. A covered verandah with decorative gingerbread protects the principal entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 43 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Building 43 is associated with Canadian immigration and quarantine. In the early 20th century, Canada’s economic boom sparked an unprecedented wave of immigration. The historical value of Building 43 resides in its affiliation with the group of buildings erected in the early decades of the 20th century to accommodate the growing number of patients held on the island, and the fact that the house served as both residence and workplace for a government officer at the site.

Architectural Value
Valued for its very good aesthetic design, the Building 43 resembles a small seaside villa from the early 20th century. The Mansard, or “French”, roof is a stylistic attribute that reflects a popular roof trend in North America at that time. Very good functional design is evidenced in the dual-purpose layout of home and workplace. Very good craftsmanship and materials are evidenced in the quality of detailing and the interior finishes, including the interior staircase that matches the outside staircase and the meticulously crafted cove ceiling.

Environmental Value
Building 43 maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and reinforces the present historic character of its Grosse Île setting.

Sources: The Public Works Officer’s Residence (no.38), Grosse Île (Part 4 1901-1920), Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 90-031; The Public Works Officer’s Residence (No.38), Grosse Île, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 90-031.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 43 should be respected.

Its very good aesthetics, functional design and very good craftsmanship, for example: the unusual massing, which consists of three adjoining volumes of differing shapes and roof profiles, including a mansard roofed one-storey residence, a gable roofed shed, and a covered passageway that connects the two. the timber construction; the access system related to the sloping site, particularly the secondary entrance at mid-level; the quality of the detailing at the main entrance, the steps and the covered verandah with turned posts, the gingerbread along the eave and down the steps, and the double-leaf entry doors; the regular placement of the doors and four pane windows and the exterior walls covered in clapboard; the elements illustrating the finishing styles and techniques specific to residential architecture in the early 20th century, including the interior staircase that matches the exterior staircase and the cove ceilings in the living room and dining room; evidence that this house was occupied by the Public Works Officer, such as the etched glass in the double entry door bearing the monogram of the Department of Public Works.

The manner in which the Building 43 maintains an unchanged relationship to its site and reinforces the historic character of Grosse Île, as evidenced by: its ongoing relationship to its site on a sharp cliff overlooking the river; its scale, design and materials, which complement the related adjacent structures, including the Anglican Chapel.

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.

Reasons for Designation

The Public Works Officer’s house has been designated as a “Recognized” building primarily for its architectural qualities and environmental significance.

Historical Value
In the early 20th century, Canada’s economic boom sparked a wave of immigration unprecedented in this country; the influx of immigrants put huge pressure on the human quarantine station on Grosse Île. The historical value of the Public Works Officer’s house resides in its affiliation with the group of buildings erected in the early decades of the 20th century to accommodate the growing number of patients held on the island, and the fact that the house served as both residence and workplace for a government officer who was likely involved in that building campaign. The house is part of the Grosse Île and Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada.

Architectural Value
The architectural value of the Public Works Officer’s house lies in its esthetic and functional design, the building materials and the construction. This is one of the most unique buildings on Grosse Île. While it looks like a small seaside villa from the early 20th century, it actually consists of two buildings connected by a covered walkway. The Mansard or “French” roof on the main building reflects a time when that type of roof experienced a wave of popularity in North America. In addition, the façade of the main section of the building (the house and office per se) has fine decorative details indicating a luxury rarely found in the other houses on Grosse Île.

Environmental Value
The environmental value of the Public Works Officer’s house resides in its historic relationship with the immediate surrounding landscape, which remains relatively intact. It also stems from the fact that the house, along with the Anglican chapel located nearby, strongly defines the current-day character of this portion of the island.

Character-Defining Elements

-The unusual massing of this wooden house, which consists of three volumes joined together and featuring a variety of shapes and roof profiles. The first building is a one-storey residence with Mansard roof, while the second is a simple shed with a gable roof; a covered passageway connects these two volumes.

-The access system, which was directly related to the sloping site, particularly the secondary entrance at mid-level, a rather unusual solution for the time.

-The quality of the detailing at the main entrance (river side), which indicates a luxury rarely found in Grosse Île houses. This refinement extends to the steps and the covered verandah (turned posts, gingerbread along the eave and down the steps) and double-leaf entry doors.

-The plain architectural treatment of the rest of the building.

-The elements illustrating the finishing styles and techniques specific to residential architecture in the early 20th century, in particular the inside staircase that matches the outside staircase and the meticulously crafted cove ceilings in the living room and dining room.

-Evidences that this house was occupied by the Public Works Officer, such as the etched glass in the double entry door bearing the monogram of the Department of Public Works (DPW).

-The historic relationship of the house with its immediate setting, a sharp cliff overlooking the river, a unique sitting that offered a truly spectacular view to its occupants.

-The relationship between the Public Works Officer’s residence and the Anglican chapel; these two buildings are at the core of the current-day character of this portion of the island.

For guidance on interventions, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice. For further information, please contact the FHBRO.

Prepared in February 2002
Edited in September 2002