Description of Historic Place

Bridge contractor Whitman Brewer had this Classical Revival-inspired dwelling erected in 1886. This two-and-a-half storey wood-frame dwelling, which fronts upon the south side of Union Street in Fredericton, is located near the corner of McKeen Street.

Heritage Value

This house was one of the first dwellings erected on the south side of Union Street between McKeen and Smith streets. Whitman Brewer, originally from Keswick, settled at St. Mary’s Ferry by the 1880’s. The successful wharf and bridge building contractor might have constructed this house himself. In partnership with Jared Boone, Mr. Brewer built a number of bridges throughout the province, including the Nashwaak Bridge. Perhaps his most substantial contract was that for the Hawkshaw Bridge across the Saint John River in 1906, valued at $31,000.

A prominent member of the community, Mr. Brewer served as an alderman of the Devon Town Council and later made an unsuccessful bid for mayor. The Brewers lived in this dwelling until the early 1950’s. The building was later converted to contain apartments.

Source: City of Fredericton, Local Historic Places Files

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements associated with the dwelling at 402 Union Street include:
- two-and-a-half storey wood-frame structure with rear extension;
- manicured lawn;
- Classical Revival-inspired frame and front façade;
- medium-pitched lateral gable roof;
- regularly-spaced rectangular windows;
- central front door with sidelights, topped with a pediment hood;
- rear extension with dormer windows;
- clapboard siding and corner boards with capitals;
- brackets under the eaves and entablatures;
- open porch, supported by slim pillars on west side of structure;
- decorative elements at apex of roof line on west side of structure.