Description of Historic Place

This small scale, 19th century brick armoury in Barrie has a centre assembly hall with right and left wings, under 3 roofs. Its heritage value is recognized by City of Barrie Bylaw 95-157.

Heritage Value

This 1888-1889 armoury is important in its association with the role of Barrie and area militia units in Canadian military defence. The armoury was built by the councils of Barrie and Simcoe County, in cooperation with the federal Public Works/ Militia Department, to replace a drill shed in Queen's Park that burned in 1886. Although small scale, it provided the 35 Battalion (Simcoe Foresters) volunteer militia with a drill shed, battalion headquarters, and storage of armaments, uniforms, and equipment. It was in continuous use for military purposes through 1914 when a larger facility was erected in Queen's Park. The Mulcaster building became the auxillary drill shed and a rehearsal hall for the 35th Regiment band. After the First World War, it was occupied by the Barrie Board of Works. About 1948, the Board relocated and the building became a Farmer's Market. Constructed in brick with wood roofing shingles, the structure was revitalized in the 1990s. Source: City of Barrie Bylaw 95-157 and accompanying research report.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value is contained in key elements that relate to the original use as an armoury including: - form and massing of a storey and a half centre section, with single storey, right and left wings, covered with a main and two secondary roofs; - parapet walls of the east facade; - original door and window openings, sashes and transoms; - interior woodwork, floor
boards, and support walls defining the tri-part interior