Description of Historic Place

The Armoury is centrally located in a mixed residential and commercial area in Montmagny, Québec. It is a mid-size, rectangular building with a low-pitched gable roof. The building’s sturdy brick walls feature engaged pilasters, and elaborate detailing on the gable end. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Armoury is associated with the armoury building campaign before the First World War and the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia. The building also reflects the federal commitment to provide good local training facilities for the militia. The construction of the Armoury was in response to the importance of Montmagny as a military center and in recognition to its prosperity and growth as an industrial center.

Architectural Value
The Armoury is a good example of a mid-size, standard plan armoury that follows the Militia Council plan type ‘B’. It demonstrates very good functional design as evidenced in the steel roof truss construction, which accommodates an unobstructed drill hall. It also exhibits quality craftsmanship as evidenced in the contrast of materials and elaboration of details on its gable end.

Environmental Value
The Armoury is compatible with the present character of its mixed residential and commercial setting in Montmagny. It is a well-known community landmark.

Sources: Jacqueline Adell, Armoury, Montmagny, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 90-271; Armoury, Montmagny, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 90-271.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Armoury should be respected.

Its aesthetic design, very good functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, for example: its rectangular footprint and symmetrical, two-storey massing; its low-pitched gable roof with elaborate tracery corbelling, limestone coping along the stepped parapet and keystones for the circular windows at the gable ends; its load bearing exterior walls clad in red brick with engaged pilasters and detailed with flat-voussoired windows, and troop doors with limestone detailing for the keystones and sills; its multi-paned wood and metal sash windows; its large, open drill hall with exposed steel trusses and extensive glazing.

The manner in which the Armoury is compatible with the present character of its mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood setting and is a well-known landmark within the community, as evidenced by: its scale, high standards of construction and materials, and its central location, all of which contribute to and are in keeping with its surrounding townscape; its role as an armoury for the local militia and its strong local presence through its continued use for community activities, which makes it a well-known building in the community.

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 Montmagny Armoury was constructed in 1915. The medium-sized armoury follows the Militia Council plan Type 'B' and was designed by the Department of Militia and Defence. The building continues to serve as an armoury. Alterations include a small one storey addition to the rear, metal flashing at the gable parapets, an exit stair, and miscellaneous steel framed lean-to's. The Department of National Defence is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 90-271.

Reasons For Designation

The Montmagny Armoury was designated Recognized because of its architectural importance and its environmental significance as well as its historical associations

The Montmagny Armoury is a brick, gable-roofed structure that relies on textural and material contrasts of the white keystones and the pilasters and corbelling of the gable to enliven the facades. It has a good functional design, with an end entrance into the large unobstructed drill hall, the most distinctive space. The exposed steel roof truss construction is a characteristic feature.

The armoury contributes significantly to the Montmagny townscape because of its substantial scale and high standards of design and construction. The centrally located armoury is compatible with the scale of the mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood. The armoury has a strong local presence through its continued use for community activities.

The construction of the building is associated with the pre-World War I armoury building campaign and the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia. The building also reflects the federal commitment to provide good local training facilities for the militia. The construction of the armoury was in response to the importance of the town as a military centre and in recognition its prosperity and growth as an industrial center.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Montmagny Armoury resides in its overall form, proportions, construction materials, architectural details, interior planning and volumes and site relationships.

The two-storey structure has a rectangular footprint and low-pitched gable roof which reflect the simple functional planning. The clarity of this expression should be maintained. The roof profile is accentuated by the stepped gable parapet. The symmetrical massing is complemented by a repetitive rhythm of buttresses on the gable and the sides as well as a balanced pattern of windows and doors which contributes to the visual richness of the facades.

The well-scaled facades are executed in smooth red brick, with smooth-faced limestone sills, keystones, coping, and trim at a circular gable window providing colour contrast. The masonry has minimal decoration but includes the stepped buttresses reflecting the structural grid, the gable fringe of corbelled brickwork, and the flat-arched voussoirs over the windows and troop doors. The masonry merits an ongoing maintenance program, and conservation expertise in the choice of materials and techniques for repair and replacement. The metal flashing over the coping has introduced a prominent colour and material on the facade. The original stone coping, in its material and colouring, was intended to create a visual link to other details of the facade and to contribute to the solid, compact appearance of the building. A return to the original coping would improve the character of the building.

The asymmetrically-located steel escape stairs, the electrical service mast located on the front of the building, and the exhaust hood respond to functional requirements, but detract the simple design and historic character. When operational feasible, these elements should be integrated in a manner more sympathetic to the design.

The roof is a prominent feature. Replacement roofing should be based on historical precedent for materials and colours to ensure respect for the original design.

Wood sash with their relatively heavy members and smaller subdivisions contribute a prominent, fine-scale pattern to the window openings. The multi-paned wood and metal sash windows, where original, should be maintained. The entrance doors are modern metal doors. When these doors are at end of their life they should be replaced with doors based on historical research or extant early material in keeping with the quality of the design.

The armoury interior follows a standard plan, with the principal entrance located in the centre of the short facade. The interior is characterized by the large, open volume of the hall, with exposed steel trusses and extensive glazing contributing to the bright, well lit character. Original interior finishes are an important part of heritage character, reflecting the functional approach to materials and finishes of the military.

A simple ground plane, characteristic of austere armoury sites, is reinforced through the use of turfgrass, asphalt and concrete paving. Shrub material might be used sparingly on the site, but not as foundation planting. Tree plantings, in particular, should be positioned so to reinforce the symmetry of the front facade. The historic relationship between the armoury and the cannon is to be maintained. A more compatible alternative to chain link fencing along the street would improve heritage character.






For further guidance, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.