Description of Historic Place

The Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company Office is a two-and-one-half storey, Greek Revival style, wood frame structure. Built in 1857, the office is the only surviving structure of a number of buildings associated with the Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company. The Office is located on Dock Street, in Shelburne Nova Scotia surrounded by other heritage structures. Both the building and its surrounding property are included in the provincial designation.

Heritage Value

The Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company Office is valued as the single surviving structure of a number of buildings associated with shipbuilding firms of Joseph McGill and John Etherington. Shipbuilding was a major industry in Nova Scotia and vital to the economies of many communities. This building is representative of that period in Nova Scotian history known as the “Golden Age of Sail.” Built in 1857, the office was part of the Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company that included several other buildings. The office was accompanied by a barn, and two shed buildings and where all located on the corner of Dock and John Streets. The blacksmith building, galvanizing building and stone house were located on the wharf that was located directly across the street.

The Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company Office is also valued for its mainly unaltered condition, as it is essential in maintaining the historic character of Dock Street. Its location on Dock Street, surrounded by other heritage structures, directly across from the harbor where Shelburne’s two biggest industries, fishing and shipbuilding, took place is integral to its history, purpose and value. More recently, Dock Street was the location of two major films, “Mary Silliman's War,” based on a true story depicting Fairfield Connecticut during the American Revolution, and “"A" The Scarlet Letter,” based on a novel depicting Puritan New England in the mid 1600s.

Source: Notice of Registration of Property as a Provincial Heritage Property, Provincial Property Heritage File no. 164.

Character-Defining Elements

Character-defining elements of the Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company Office include:

- symmetrical three bay façade;
- wood shingle cladding;
- six-over-six wood sash windows on second storey;
- wide return eaves;
- deep fascia board and corner boards;
- location on Dock Street close to Shelburne Harbour.

Character-defining elements of the Greek Revival style of the Joseph McGill Shipbuilding and Transportation Company Office include:

- two-and-one-half storey;
- gable roof;
- transom window above main door.