Description of Historic Place

Wabenaki Lodge sits among the trees at La Mauricie National Park of Canada where it enjoys a magnificent view of Lac à la Pêche. It is a two-storey, hipped roof structure, with upturned eaves, six overhanging hip dormers, and a brick chimney. It was constructed of contrasting materials, including fieldstone for the foundations, logs for the main block and shingles for the upper storey. A verandah is attached to the northeastern façade of the rear section of the building and provides access to the main door. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Wabenaki Lodge is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Wabenaki Lodge is associated with the history of recreational fishing and hunting which, along with logging, have been the cornerstones of the economic development of the Trois-Rivières region for nearly 90 years. The lodge served as the kitchen and the members’ dining room for the Laurentian Club until 1952. It was then owned by the Wabenaki Fish and Game Club until it was expropriated by the Government of Quebec in 1972. In 1977 the lodge became part of La Mauricie National Park of Canada.

Architectural Value
Wabenaki Lodge is valued for its good aesthetic qualities. It is a recreational building, which is in keeping with the other buildings at the Laurentian Club. Of good functional design, the rustic interior features a dining room that overlooks the lake as well as exposed hewn beams on the ground floor, a William Maxwell (1874-1952) characteristic. The building is also valued for its very good craftsmanship and contrasting materials, including log construction, shingles and stone.

Environmental Value
Wabenaki Lodge reinforces the present character of its natural park setting at La Mauricie National Park of Canada, contributing to its surrounding landscape through its form and materials. It is a familiar building in the area.

Sources: Michel Bedard, Les gites Wabenaki et Andrew, lac à la Pêche, parc nationale de la Mauricie, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 90-012; Wabenaki Lodge, La Mauricie National Park, Lac à la Pêche, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 90-012.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Wabenaki Lodge should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and functional design, and very good craftsmanship and materials, as for example:
-the asymmetrical plan that consists of two main sections forming a ‘T’ and includes a basement and two habitable storeys;
-the hip roof with upturned eaves, six overhanging hipped dormers, and a brick chimney;
-the verandah attached to the northeastern façade of the rear section of the building which provides access to the main door;
-the use of contrasting materials, including the field stone for the foundations, the logs for the main structure with dovetail joints, and the shingles for the upper storey;
-the interior exposed hewn beams on the ground floor, the quarry stone fireplace decorated with a band course forming the mantelpiece, and a surbased arch in the common room.

The manner in which Wabenaki Lodge reinforces the present character of its natural park like setting and is a familiar building in the area, as evidenced by:
-its overall massing, design and materials, which harmonize with its natural park and lake
surroundings;
-its familiarity within the area due to its location at La Mauricie National Park of Canada.