Description of Historic Place

Lawrence House is a grand two and one half storey home perched on a hill overlooking the mouth of the Subenacadie River in Maitland, Nova Scotia. With its five-bay façade, gable roof and front portico, this symmetrical home is a Victorian interpretation of Georgian architecture. Both the house and surrounding grounds are included in the heritage designation.

Heritage Value

Lawrence House and the surrounding lands are valued for their association with Master Shipbuilder William Dawson Lawrence. Born in Ireland, Lawrence was an apprentice at the Lyle and Chappell shipyard in Dartmouth. Once established, he bought land on the shore of the Shubenacadie River where he built several ships including the William D. Lawrence. Weighing over 2450 tons, this ship is the largest full-rigged vessel built in Canada. Lawrence made contributions to public life in North Hants County as the elected representative in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1863 to1871. During this time, Lawrence adamantly opposed Confederation and was strongly in favour of free education. He was defeated in the 1871 election and died in this house on December 8, 1886.

Source: Provincial Registry found in File No. 012, Heritage Property Program, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3A6

Character-Defining Elements

Character-defining elements associated with Lawrence House and the surrounding grounds include:
-Building form and massing
-Five-bay façade with steep pitched gable roof
-Central windows with symmetrical sidelights on ground floor and second floor
-Italianate detailed pediment on portico
-Double-loaded, wrapping front stairway
-Two symmetrical central chimneys
-Symmetrical rear ell with verandahs either side, and two out buildings