Description of Historic Place

Situated within the City of Agassiz, British Colombia, the Agassiz Research Station, Building No. 13 consists of a large nineteenth-century cowbarn, maternity barn and silos. Section A, the main barn, features a byre second level and a loft covered by a saltbox roof. A large cupola is centered on the roof. Section B, a moderate timber, gambrel roof barn is attached to the west side. Additions erected in 1911 and in the 1960s include four silos. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Building No. 13 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Building No. 13 is a very good example of early efforts by the federal government to promote agriculture, the science of agriculture, and particularly dairy farming, in Canada. Canada’s Experimental Farm system was begun in 1866 as a response to the country’s expanding agricultural needs.

Architectural Value
The Building No. 13 is a good example of additive agricultural architecture. The massing and volumes of the various barn and silo elements create a typical composition for this type of architecture. The barn structures adhere to the tradition of large, heavy timber barns and the popularized Wisconsin Dairy barn which evolved in the eastern areas of North America in the 19th century.

Environmental Value
The Building No. 13 reinforces the agricultural character of the research station, which includes the adjacent corral and surrounding landscape. It is a well known landmark within the city and region due to its status as the oldest extant barn at the Research Station, and its popularity as many visitors have frequented the grounds or attended memorable community events.

Sources: Building 13 (Research Station), Pacific Research Agri-Food Centre, Agassiz, British Columbia, Heritage Character Statement, 93-005; Edgar Tumak, Building 13 (Cow Barn Maternity and Silos), Agassiz Research Station, Agassiz, British Columbia, Federal Heritage Building Report, 93-005.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Building No. 13 should be respected:

Its additive agricultural architecture and very good quality craftsmanship and materials, for example: the larger component of the building, Section A, with its downward sweep of saltbox roof slope and large cupola that is visually grounded by the linear form and gabled roof of section B; the superior workmanship such as the byre walls, and superstructure framed by timbers, the uncoursed masonry and the mortise and tenon construction; the arrangement of windows and doorways.

The manner in which the Building No. 13 reinforces the agricultural setting and is an important local landmark, as evidenced by: the additive agricultural architecture of the building and its relationship to the adjacent corral and surrounding landscape; the grounds with park-like stands of trees, a well-known, traditional and popular destination for visitors and for community events.

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.

Research Station Building #13 consists of a Cow Barn, Maternity Barn and Silos. Section A, the main barn, was built in 1892 and was designed by the Chief Architect's Branch of the Department of Public Works. The most significant change to the barn since its construction is the application of vinyl siding over the clapboard siding. Additions B, C and D were built in 1911, designed by the Department of Agriculture. The four adjacent silos date from the mid-1960s. Agriculture Canada is the custodial department. See FHBRO Building Report 93-05.

Reasons for Designation
Building #13 was designated Recognized because of its unique environmental setting, its important historical associations and its architectural craftsmanship and materials.

The Cow Barn, Maternity Barn and Silos make up Building #13, a well known landmark within the city and region due to its status as the oldest extant barn at the Research Station. Its popularity is due to the many visitors who have frequented the grounds or attended memorable community dances. The agricultural character of the group of buildings is compatible with the adjacent corral and surrounding landscape.

Canada's Experimental Farm system was begun in 1886 as a response to the country's expanding agricultural needs. Building #13 is an example of early efforts by the federal government to promote agriculture, the science of agriculture, and particularly dairy farming, in Canada.

The massing and volumes of the various barn and silo elements create a composition typical of additive agricultural architecture. The design components of Building #13 remain relatively intact, with extensive original fabric surviving from the two key construction periods of 1892 and 1911.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage value of Building #13 resides in its building forms and massing, in the quality of its materials and construction, and in its landmark farm setting.

The larger component of the building, section A, with its downward sweep of salt box roof slope and large cupola, is visually grounded by the linear form and gabled roof of
section B. Together with the modern silos, the forms create a pleasing composition. The balance of forms and the nature of their evolution should be respected.

Section A is considered to have had superior original workmanship and remains in excellent condition. The elements which characterize this workmanship are the byre walls, consisting of meter-thick granite masonry and a superstructure framed by Douglas Fir timbers, some 12 inches square and extending the full height of the building. Both construction materials were acquired on the site. The masonry is uncoursed, while the heavy-timber framing features mortise and tenon construction. As an experiment in economic solutions to barn building, the structure of section B was mostly constructed of smaller fir members. As a result, in the 1980s the trusses of the gabled roof required strengthening, which was accomplished with cables. This evidence of structural experimentation is of interest.

Section A is characterized by its functionally-driven pattern of openings, with the grouping of small windows in bays, and the centrally located vehicular-size sliding doors centered under the cupola and equipped with a ramp at second level. Section B ground-level windows were originally full height, with eight-over-eight lights. The existing replacement windows retain the original positions but lack the original interest and character of the originals. Future changes or replacement of windows and doors to Building #13 should aim to conserve existing original features and reinstate missing elements based on documentary evidence. Any elements which highlight the original function of the building as a dairy facility should be retained.

Characteristic of the function of the building, the original 1892 barn and the 1911 additions feature modest decorative detailing due to their construction for practical purposes. The application of vinyl siding over the clapboard siding occurred in the mid 1980s, with the traditional wood tongue and groove siding reported to be intact beneath. Vinyl is a departure from the original design intent of traditional materials that detracts from the heritage character of the building. Any future changes to the exterior cladding should consider removal of the vinyl siding and restatement of the finial over the cupola of section A and the simple barge boards of section D.

The setting of Building #13 is characterized by its central location in the farm's building compound. The nearby park-like stand of trees is a traditional and popular destination for picnickers, allowing a view of the setting. The barn's importance as a landmark should be protected, as should the utilitarian character of the setting.