Home / Accueil

Beaverbrook House

518 King George Highway (225 Mary Street), Miramichi, New Brunswick, E1V, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2005/11/24

Beaverbrook House, front and side elevations, 2005.; City of Miramichi
Beaverbrook House
Old Presbyterian Manse (Beaverbrook House), historic photo.; City of Miramichi
Beaverbrook House
Signature of W. Max Aitken (Lord Beaverbrook) on the side of the house, 2005.; City of Miramichi
Signature of W. Max Aitken (Lord Beaverbrook)

Other Name(s)

Presbyterian Manse
Presbytère
Beaverbrook House
Old Manse Library
Bibliothèque du vieux presbytère
William Watt Residence
Résidence William Watt

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1877/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2008/02/19

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

Beaverbrook House is a two-storey Second Empire home situated on a sloping landscaped property on King George Highway in Miramichi.

Heritage Value

Beaverbrook House is designated a Local Historic Place for its architectural value as a fine example of the Second Empire style and for its association with Lord Beaverbrook.

Beaverbrook House is a good example of Second Empire residential architecture. Architect D. E. Dunham designed the residence for merchant William Watt in 1877. The mansard roof, irregular plan and the elaborate dormers and bays are among the traditional elements of this style.

The heritage value of this residence also lies in its association with newspaper publisher, politician and benefactor, Lord Beaverbrook. In 1880, it was purchased as the Presbyterian Manse and Rev. William Aitken, father of Max Aitken, later Lord Beaverbrook, resided here with his young family. The residence was purchased in 1952 by Lord Beaverbrook and gifted to the community as The Old Manse Library. Local historian and author Dr. Louise Manny was its first librarian.

Beaverbrook House has heritage value in its current function. Now the property of the City of Miramichi, the home is open to the public as an interpretation centre with guided tours. It also serves as the Heritage Office for the City of Miramichi. In 1993, the property was designated Protected under the Municipal Preservation Act.

Source: Heritage Office, City of Miramichi Heritage Office, Beaverbrook House, Historic Places File #05-51

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the Second Empire architecture of Beaverbrook House and its grounds include:
- large sloping lawn edged in mature hardwoods;
- irregular two-storey massing;
- foundation stone of local ashlar sandstone with belt course pattern;
- wooden clapboard siding;
- tall windows with moulded surrounds;
- typical mansard roof with decorated dormer windows;
- bay windows;
- roofline embellished with steel ridge cresting.

The character-defining elements that relate to the interior of the residence include:
- parlour wall mural depicting nature scenes of Miramichi area.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act, s.5(1)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act

Recognition Date

2005/11/24

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1880/01/01 to 1880/01/01
1952/01/01 to 1952/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Learning and the Arts
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design
Building Social and Community Life
Education and Social Well-Being

Function - Category and Type

Current

Education
Special or Training School
Leisure
Museum

Historic

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Leisure
Library
Residence
Single Dwelling

Architect / Designer

D. E. Dunham

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

City of Miramichi Heritage Office - Beaverbrook House - Historic Places File #05-51

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

722

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

SEARCH THE CANADIAN REGISTER

Advanced SearchAdvanced Search
Find Nearby PlacesFIND NEARBY PLACES PrintPRINT
Nearby Places