Gordon Island Pavilion
Classified Federal Heritage Building
St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, Ontario
General view
© Archeological Services and Historica Resources Ltd., 1992.
Address :
Gordon Island, St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Treasury Board Policy on Management of Real Property
Designation Date:
1995-02-06
Dates:
-
1904 to 1904
(Construction)
Event, Person, Organization:
-
John D. Warwick
(Architect)
-
Department of the Interior
(Architect)
Custodian:
Parks Canada
FHBRO Report Reference:
93-023
DFRP Number:
09431 00
Description of Historic Place
Sheltered in a grove of oaks overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Gordon Island Pavilion is located in the St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada. The shelter is an open-walled, timber structure executed in the Rustic style. It consists of a simple, elongated octagon, with an octagonal roof, supported at the perimeter by slender, paired wooden Doric columns. Large, dormer gables at the front and back of the building denote the access points, while two massive rubble stone pillars flank the front entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Gordon Island Pavilion is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:
Historical value
The Gordon Island Pavilion is a very good example of a building associated with the development of Canada’s National Park system and early Canadian tourism. It is also associated with the emerging ideals of protecting and enhancing designated wilderness areas for the pleasure and benefit of Canadians. The Crown, in response to public demand, the crown reserved the St. Lawrence Islands, as the St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, eastern Canada’s first national park. The Gordon Island Pavilion is one of three remaining original pavilions that predate the establishment of the St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, and is one of the oldest structures of its type within the Canadian parks system.
Architectural value
The Gordon Island Pavilion, valued for its very good aesthetics, is an example of Rustic picturesque. The informal Rustic style was thought to complement the natural setting, and reflected the picturesque aesthetic consistent with National Parks’ tradition. The massive stone rubble pillars are not original to the design, however, they are an important later addition, and reflect the rustic stylistic influences of the 1920s and 1930s. Very good functional design is evidenced in the open, flexible space, while very good craftsmanship and materials are seen in the Doric columns, the articulated box beam that supports the roof, the low wooden railing and the stonework.
Environmental value
The Gordon Island Pavilion establishes the picturesque character of the Gordon Island setting. The shelter can be seen by visitors to the island and by those in passing boats. The structure is a landmark to the local community and to park visitors.
Sources: Pavilion, Gordon Island, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Report 93-023; The Gordon Island Picnic Shelter / Pavilion, Gordon Island, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Heritage Character Statement 93-023.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Gordon Island Pavilion should be respected.
Its very good aesthetics, as seen in its Rustic style, very good functional design and very good quality craftsmanship, for example: the simple, low massing of the one-storey structure with an octagonal plan; the predominantly wood construction materials, specifically hemlock and white pine; the medium-pitched, octagonal roof structure supported by an articulated box beam, which in turn, is supported at the perimeter by slender paired wooden Doric columns; the two massive rubble stone pillars that flank the front entrance, and the front and back access points, denoted by the large dormer gables, clad in painted horizontal clapboard with decorative trim; the decorative exposed rafter ends, the low wooden railing, and the green and white paint scheme; the open, flexible interior space unobstructed by interior columns, and the ceiling of varnished, tongue-and-groove pine.
The Gordon Island Pavilion establishes the picturesque character of Gordon Island, and is a landmark within St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, as evidenced by: its design and materials, which harmonize with its natural surroundings and reinforces the park’s picturesque character; its familiarity to park visitors through its use as a picnic shelter.
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 pavilion on Gordon Island was constructed in 1904. It was designed by John D. Warwick, architect and contractor, of Brockville, Ontario for the Department of the Interior. The rusticated stone walls were a later addition reflecting the rustic stylistic influences of the 1920s and 1930s. Subsequently, the wood floor was replaced with poured concrete and the wood shingles with asphalt. The pavilion retains its original function as a picnic shelter for use by visitors to the Saint Lawrence Islands National Park (SLINP). Parks Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 93-23.
Reasons for Designation
The Gordon Island pavilion has been designated Classified for its environmental qualities, its historical associations and its architectural features.
The Saint Lawrence Islands, a popular holiday destination, were reserved by the Crown in response to public demand, and as a result of this public pressure the Saint Lawrence Islands National Park, eastern Canada's first national park, was created. The Gordon Island Pavilion is one of three remaining original pavilions which predate the establishment of the SLINP, and one of the oldest structures of its type within the Canadian parks system. Situated at the edge of a small cliff, the building affords a superb vista along the river and is visible to local residents and passing boats. Its architecture is rustic and picturesque, in harmony with its natural surroundings, and reinforces the park's unique character.
Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the pavilion on Gordon Island resides in its rusticated picturesque architecture and its relationship with the landscape. Its massing consists of a simple, elongated octagon with a medium pitched, octogonal hipped roof supported at the perimeter by wood columns and stone pillars. Large, dormer gables front and back denote the access points. The simple pavilion form and footprint should be respected.
Wood is the predominant material of construction for both the structure and cladding. According to historic documentation, hemlock was used for the joists, rafters and former flooring while pine was used elsewhere. Slender paired wooden Doric columns at the corners support an articulated box-beam, which in turn supports the roof structure. The exposed rafter ends provide visual interest, as do the evenly spaced pickets of the low wooden railing which provides a sense of enclosure. The gables are clad in painted horizontal clapboard with decorative trim; the interior ceiling is finished in varnished, tongue-and-groove pine. Cyclical maintenance of the wood elements, including the green and white paint scheme, is recommended.
The roof was originally clad in painted wood shingles, which would have enhanced the rustic and picturesque design intent of the pavilion. Reinstating wood shingles when the existing asphalt is at the end of its service life would enhance heritage character. Similarly, as opportunity arises, reconstructing the platform and steps in wood to the original design would be more appropriate to the design than the existing concrete elements. The massive rubble stone pillars, of rustic inspiration, are not original to the design, however they are an important early feature representing the influence of rustic design on park architecture, and should be retained.
The pavilion continues to function as a picnic shelter. It is well suited to this function, offering protection from weather and an open, flexible space unobstructed by interior columns. The expansive views of the natural setting should be protected.
Since the construction of the original pavilion, two other picnic shelters and a privy have been built on Gordon Island. As they do not detract from the historic character of the original structure, these relationships could be maintained.