Description of Historic Place

Canadiana Inn consists of a 2-½ story gabled T-plan Greek revival residential structure with a full-height pediment frontispiece flanked by 1-story open verandas. It is located on the southwest corner of Archibald Street and Queen Street in Moncton.

Heritage Value

Canadiana Inn is designated a Local Historic Place for its Greek revival style of architecture and for the significance of its tenants throughout its history.

It was originally built as a residence for William Brown in 1898. Mr. Brown was a carpenter for the Intercolonial Railway and the stature and quality of his residence denotes the prominence of employment with the railway in Moncton. This building exibits some trademark elements of the Greek Revival style, including an overall symmetry and rectangular massing, a central pedemented bay entrance, as well as a traditional gable roof.

When purchased by Hubert Jarvis and his wife, Alice, in 1919, she used the residence as a maternity hospital. Mr. Jarvis then ran it as the Jarvis Hotel. It remained such, through different ownership, until 1976. Renamed the Canadiana Hotel, and now the Canadiana Inn, this building continues its life in the hospitality industry.

Although the different owners have made many alterations to the interior over time, the current owners have restored many of the original interior details and have added historically accurate elements. In 1996, the Canadiana Inn was designated a Heritage Property through the City of Moncton Heritage Preservation By-Law #Z-1102.

Source: Moncton Museum, Moncton, New Brunswick - second floor files – “46 Archibald St. – Canadiana Inn”.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the exterior elements of Canadian Inn include:
- a gabled wing located centrally at the rear of the building completing the T-plan layout;
- 3-story cross gable layout;
- rectangular massing;
- side gable entrance with a full-height façade topped with a pediment;
- 2 open verandas on east façade with hipped roof;
- pedimented dormer;
- north veranda with paired Doric pillars, gable pediment and scrolled tympanum woodwork;
- regular fenestration.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior elements of Canadian Inn include:
- extensive woodwork throughout;
- medallions;
- double parlour doors;
- original hardwood floors;
- elaborately carved fireplace with Roman arch opening and tile hearth;
- glazed tile fireplace with rectangular opening, paired pillars supporting carved entablature mantle;
- panel doors with original hardware;
- etched glass lights in foyer doors and rectangular sidelights;
- haut-relief mural in recessed wall by one of 1st visitors to inn;
- square newel post with brass-figure lamp;
- hinged blind transoms over doorways.