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Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Officer Cadet Dormitory

15 Jacques Cartier Street North, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1991/09/30

Aerial view of Royal Military College Saint-Jean; Department of National Defence / Ministère de la Défense nationale, Caporal L. Brunet
Aerial view
General view of Officer Cadet Dormitory; Fort Saint-Jean Museum / Musée du Fort Saint-Jean
General view
No Image

Other Name(s)

Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Officer Cadet Dormitory
Montcalm Barracks
Caserne Montcalm
Building No. 4
Bâtiment no 4
Le Montcalm Building
Pavillon Le Montcalm

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1839/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2008/04/16

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Officer Cadet Dormitory, also known as CMR 4, Building No. 4 and Montcalm Barracks, is one of a group of buildings located within the earthen ramparts of the former Fort Saint-Jean, now the Collège Militaire Royal. The large, rectangular building is topped by a hipped roof with four, formally aligned brick chimneys. Regularly spaced windows with minimal stonework, and three transomed entrances, enliven the solid brick walls. The building’s rear elevation features a tower. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

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

Historical Value
The Officer Cadet Dormitory, as one of a group of buildings constructed within the walls of the former Fort Saint-Jean, is closely associated with an effort to improve the district’s defenses following the 1837-1838 rebellion. Fort Saint-Jean remained an important military centre for the stationing of troops and supplies. The structure is also associated with a period of growth in the city’s commercial activity and its supporting railway, canal and bridge transportation links. One of the most significant stages in the development of the complex was its choice in 1952 as Canada’s third, and first francophone, military college.

Architectural Value
The Officer Cadet Dormitory is valued for its good aesthetic design whereby simplified vernacular forms influenced by British Classicism are evidenced in its rigid symmetry, rectangular form and classical proportions. The solid walls constructed of brick laid in common bond, demonstrate good functional design. The stonework, such as the dressed foundation, and the flat arches that span the regularly spaced windows, are also evidence of the building’s very good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value
The Officer Cadet Dormitory reinforces the mid-19th century character of its former fort, now military school setting at Collège Militaire Royal. The building is well known to those who live, work and frequent the complex.

Sources: Joanna H. Doherty, Four Buildings at Collège Militaire Royal, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report, 86-073; Building #4, Collège Militaire Royal, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 86-073.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Officer Cadet Dormitory should be respected.

Its classically influenced aesthetic design, good functional design and fine quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
—the two-storey, rectangular massing with its rigid symmetry, and its simple form and proportions;
—the hipped roof with wooden eaves, boxed and supported on brackets on four sides, and the four brick chimneys formally aligned at the apexes of the longitudinal slope;
— the brick construction laid in common bond and in flat arches over openings, and the dressed stone foundation and trim;
— the regularly spaced window openings and three transomed entrances;
— the windowless west elevation and the tower at the rear elevation.

The manner in which the Officer Cadet Dormitory reinforces the mid-19th century character of its former fort, now military school, setting at Collège Militaire Royal and is a well-known building, as evidenced by:
— its scale, design, construction, and materials, which are identical to Building No. 6 and which contribute to the character of a group of similar buildings within the earthen ramparts of the military school setting;
— its familiarity as a residence to staff, students and visitors, and its national recognition as part of the grounds of the old Fort St. Jean.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Federal

Recognition Authority

Government of Canada

Recognition Statute

Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy

Recognition Type

Recognized Federal Heritage Building

Recognition Date

1991/09/30

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Defence
Military Support

Architect / Designer

Designs prepared by Thomas Foster of the Royal Engineers under the supervision of Colonel Oldfield

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate, Documentation Centre 3rd Floor, room 366 30 Victoria Street Gatineau, Québec J8X 0B3

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

2869

Status

Published

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