Gazebo
Recognized Federal Heritage Building
St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, Ontario
Exterior view
© Parks Canada Agency / Agence Parcs Canada / Historica Resources Ltd., 1992.
Address :
Batterman's Point, Hill 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:
-
1920 to 1920
(Construction)
Other Name(s):
-
Batterman's Point Gazebo (Hill Island)
(Other Name)
Custodian:
Parks Canada
FHBRO Report Reference:
93-030
DFRP Number:
09431 00
Description of Historic Place
The Gazebo is located on a tiny man-made island about 20 feet from the shore of Batterman’s Point on Hill Island, in the St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada. The small, octagonal building is open-sided with an octagonal roof supported by rubble-stone piers, peeled log posts and brackets. Executed in the Rustic style, the building has an open interior space. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Gazebo is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical value
The Gazebo, as an outbuilding for a grand 19th-century cottage property in the Thousand Islands area, is a very good example of a building associated with the cottage movement in Canada. Set within one of North America’s most prestigious cottage regions, the Gazebo is associated with Grant Mitchell, Chairman of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, who owned Batterman’s Point from 1964 to 1982. As one of four extant structures dating from the early 20th century on the property, the Gazebo is a visible reminder of Batterman’s Point’s grand past.
Architectural value
The Gazebo is valued for its excellent aesthetics. It is a charming example of Rustic Style architecture, incorporating local materials, Tudor Revival elements and whimsical detailing. The picturesque qualities of its design reside in its small scale, octagonal, shingled roof, rubble-stone piers, and peeled-log posts and brackets. The sculptural quality of the building’s design and construction is emphasised by the use of tree limbs for the supports. Good functional design is evidenced in the open interior, while good craftsmanship is evidenced in the woodwork and masonry.
Environmental value
The Gazebo maintains an unchanged relationship to its island site and reinforces the picturesque character of Batterman’s Point and is a familiar local landmark to boaters.
Sources: Kate MacFarlane, Twenty Eight Buildings, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Reports 93-023 through 93-038; Gazebo, Batterman’s Point, Hill Island, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 93-030.
Character-Defining Elements
The following character-defining elements of the Gazebo should be respected.
Its good aesthetics, good functional design and good quality craftsmanship, for example: the picturesque quality as expressed through its small scale, the Rustic style design and use of local materials; its octagonal, shingled roof, its rubble-stone piers, and its peeled-log posts and brackets; the configuration of the open interior space.
The manner in which the Gazebo reinforces the picturesque character of the setting, for example: the picturesque quality of the man-made island on which the Gazebo sits as expressed by the rubble-stone breakwall, and the arched footbridge to Hill Island.
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 Gazebo was constructed around 1920, one of four extant buildings at Batterman's Point built at that time as supporting structures for a large 19th-century summer home demolished in 1982. The designer of the Gazebo is unknown. There have been no alterations to the Gazebo. Parks Canada is the custodian.
Reasons for Designation
The Gazebo has been designated 'Recognized' because of its historical, architectural and environmental significance:
Historical Significance
Due to its function as an outbuilding for a grand cottage property in the Thousand Islands area, the Gazebo is associated with the cottage movement in Canada and the area's distinction as one of North America's most prestigious cottage regions. The Gazebo was likely constructed around 1920 by a subsequent owner of the cottage property, Wallis Bird. The Gazebo is associated with Mr. Grant Mitchell, Chairman of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, who owned Batterman's Point from 1964 to 1982. As one of four extant structures dating from the early 20th century on the property, the Gazebo is a visible reminder of Batterman's Point's grand past.
Architectural Significance
The Gazebo is a charming example of Rustic architecture, incorporating local materials, Tudor Revival elements and whimsical detailing. The picturesque qualities of its design reside in its small scale, octagonal, shingled roof, rubble-stone piers, and peeled-log posts and brackets.
Environmental Significance
The scale, design and materials of the man-made site are consistent with the Rustic style of the Gazebo, and strengthen its picturesque quality. The Gazebo is located on a tiny, man-made island about 20 feet off shore from the main island. An arched footbridge provides access and the island is surrounded by a rubble-stone breakwall. The setting of the Gazebo reinforces the sculptural quality of the building's design and construction. Its charm and its isolation on the island make it a landmark for boaters.
Character-Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Gazebo resides in the following character-defining elements:
-The picturesque quality of the Gazebo, as expressed through its small scale, Rustic design and use of local materials. Significant design features include its octagonal, shingled roof, its rubble-stone piers, and its peeled-log posts and brackets.
-The picturesque quality of the man-made island on which the Gazebo sits, as expressed through its small scale, Rustic features and use of local materials. Significant features include a rubble-stone breakwall and an arched footbridge.
All maintenance and repair work, as well as future interventions, should respect these character-defining elements.