Description of Historic Place

The Armoury in Pembroke sits prominently in the center of town, adjacent to a riverside park. A large functional building with a low-pitched gable roof, the armory is clad in red brick, and detailed with simple pilasters and corbelling along the roofline. A wide central troop door leads to the drill hall within. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Armoury in Pembroke is associated with Canada’s pre-First World War armoury building campaign and the reform and expansion of the volunteer militia. The building reflects the federal government’s commitment to provide good local training facilities for the militia. The construction of the armoury at its site in Pembroke recognized the importance of the town as a military center and reflected the town’s growth and prosperity.

Architectural Value
The Armoury is valued for its good aesthetic qualities. A standard plan armoury, its design follows the Militia Council plan type ‘D’. The building demonstrates very good functional design as evidenced in the steel roof truss construction, which spans the unobstructed drill hall. It also exhibits good craftsmanship as evidenced in the contrast of materials as well as in the brick and stone details.

Environmental Value
The Armoury contributes significantly to its surrounding townscape and is compatible with the character of its mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood setting. The Armoury is a well-known landmark in Pembroke.

Sources: Armoury, Pembroke, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 91-210; Armoury, Pembroke, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 91-210.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Armoury should be respected.

Its standard plan, functional design and quality craftsmanship, for example:
- its rectangular footprint and symmetrical massing;
- its low-pitch roof with corbelled brickwork at the gable end;
- its load bearing exterior walls clad in red brick with engaged pilasters and detailed with
stone sills, white keystones and corner stones and arched voussoirs over the windows
and troop doors;
- its multi-paned wood and metal sash windows;
- its large, open drill hall with its exposed steel trusses and its extensive glazing.

The manner in which the Armoury is compatible with the present character of its mixed residential and commercial setting in Pembroke and is a well-known landmark within the community, as evidenced by:
- its scale, high standards of construction and materials and its location in the centre of
town, all of which contribute to and are in keeping with its surrounding townscape;
- its strong local presence through its continued use for community activities which
make it a familiar building in the community.