Description of Historic Place

The Aaron Hovey Jr. Homestead is a one-and-a-half storey Cape Cod residence constructed prior to 1823. This former stagecoach stop is located on the north side of Route #8 in the region of Ludlow in the Rural Community of Upper Miramichi.

Heritage Value

The Aaron Hovey Jr. Homestead is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its resident owner, Aaron Hovey Jr. It is a good example of Cape Cod architecture and is one of the oldest homes in the area. Many of the original interior construction details are still present. The central placement of the chimney with an 8' by 8' (2.4m x 2.4m) base offered three open hearth fireplaces on the main level and one on the second level. Evidence of these is present. The first resident of this home was Aaron Hovey Jr., who settled in this area prior to 1809 along with his pre-Loyalist parents and siblings. This place was the second home to be constructed for Aaron Hovey Jr. on this site and is a very elaborate home to be constructed at this time, a reflection of his prominence within the region, taking two years to build. It predates the Great Miramichi Fire of 1825, which swept through this general area. Hovey operated a stagecoach stop where horses were changed. Hovey grew orchards and produced wine for his patrons and evidence remains in the building of a laterally long and shallow wine cupboard constructed into the stone chimney base. Hovey was a local cobbler and offered his trade from this home. Hovey's business interests branched into the lumber trade when, in 1841, he was a manager of sorts to Richard Hutchison's Nashwaak holdings and investments in the firm Gilmour, Rankin & Co. The year prior to this, Thomas Boies, namesake to nearby Boiestown, defaulted in his lumber and business trade in this area to the lumber baron Richard Hutchison.

Source: Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, Community Office, Site File #09-06

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the Cape Cod architecture of Aaron Hovey Jr. Homestead include:
- typical one-and-a-half storey form and massing;
- low-pitched gable roof;
- balanced window and door placement;
- transom above entrance;
- centrally located massive chimney of locally quarried sandstone;
- eaves with returns;
- corner boards with capitals;
- clad in wooden clapboards.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior of the Aaron Hovey Jr. Homestead include:
- exposed open beam with finished trim and detail in kitchen-dining area;
- built-in pine corner cupboards typically built in this architectural style;
- open hearth fireplace of massive sandstone mantles with finely chiselled margins in kitchen and cobblers work area;
- six foot long (1.8 metre) built-in wine storage shelf in cellar fireplace foundation with hinged drop down door;
- cellar storage rooms.