Description of Historic Place
The Administration Building is located on modestly landscaped grounds at the National Battlefields Park, which comprises 250 acres of land, largely known as the Plains of Abraham in Québec. The single-storey stone structure has a steep bell-cast copper roof, decorative dormers and a distinct round corner tower with a conical roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Administration Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
The Administration Building is associated with an increased federal awareness of nationally significant sites. It also marks the completion of an important period of acquisition and park development. The building was constructed in National Battlefields Park as the administration office for the National Battlefields Commission.
Architectural Value
The Administration Building is valued for its very good aesthetic design executed in the Chateau Style. The building is characterized by its asymmetry, which is created by the angled entrance tower and the irregular placement of windows on all elevations. Demonstrating a good functional design, the interior layout speaks to its administrative purposes. The decorative features of the building are executed with sound workmanship.
Environmental Value
The Administration Building maintains an unchanged relationship to its modestly landscaped grounds at National Battlefields Park. The building forms a link between the park, and the residential district, and is compatible with the residential character of its setting. Housing a small information centre located in its rotunda, the building is a neighbourhood landmark.
Sources: Rhona Goodspeed, Administration Office, National Battlefields Commission, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 91-194; Administration Building, National Battlefields Park, Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 91-194.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Administration Building should be respected.
Its very good Chateau Style design, good functional design and fine quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
- the single-storey, asymmetrical massing which consists of a stone structure with a steep bell-cast roof, decorative dormers and an angled, round entrance tower with a steep conical roof;
- the copper roofing with finial, weathervane and dormers;
- the irregular arrangement of the windows on all elevation;
- the rough stone walls and dressed voussoirs, the lintels and sills, the arched entry, the light fixture over the entry, and the front stair and entry banisters;
- the interior layout and its finishes such as the terrazzo floor or the rotunda.
The manner in which the Administration Building maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, is compatible with the residential character of its setting and is a neighbourhood landmark, as evidenced by:
- its ongoing relationship to its modestly landscaped grounds;
- its scale and Chateau Style design which complements nearby residences, and which offers a gradual transition between the city, and the rolling hills and historic monuments of National Battlefields Park;
- its visibility to many visitors of the park given its location and its use as an information centre which makes it a neighbourhood landmark.
