Description of Historic Place

Set amongst landscaped gardens, lawns and an orchard, with an evergreen windbreak and open fields beyond, the Barn at Silver Springs Farm, is located in the Greenbelt area of Nepean Township in the city of Ottawa. The wood frame Barn complex comprises four interconnected barns arranged in a ‘U’-shape. The dairy and horse barn have gambrel roofs and are set at right angles to the larger hay barn and attached drive shed. The elevations have a regular placement of windows and doors with simple detailing. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Barn at Silver Springs Farm is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Barn complex at Silver Springs Farm is associated with the scientific design of farm buildings at the turn of the century and with the Bearman brothers for whom the farmhouse was built in 1867. The brothers were prosperous, second-generation Irish settlers active in politics and local affairs. In the 1960s, the property was modified to support a residential and work program, a usage which has continued into the 21st century.

Architectural Value:
The Barn complex at Silver Springs Farm is valued for its very good aesthetics and features well-proportioned gambrel roofs with gentle slopes and flared eaves. The ‘U’-shape of the complex is also significant as a record of adaptation to the Canadian climate conditions. It is a good functional structure with minimal ornamentation that exhibits good craftsmanship in the variety of framing and shingling. The structure presents as one unified whole, a point reinforced by the exterior’s single colour treatment with white accenting.

Environmental Value:
The Barn complex at Silver Springs Farm dominates and establishes the present rural and agricultural character of its farm setting. The height and volume of the Barn complex make it visually prominent and make it a conspicuous neighbourhood landmark.

Sources:
Martha Phemister, Silver Spring Farm, 3501 Richmond Road, Nepean Township, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-183

Silver Spring Farm, 3502 Richmond Road, Nepean, Ontario Heritage Character Statement 88-183

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Barn complex at Silver Springs Farm should be respected:

Its very good aesthetic design, good functional design, good quality materials and craftsmanship as evidenced in:

-The ‘U’-shaped plan and picturesque massing.
-The well-proportioned gambrel roof with gentle slopes and slight flared eaves.
-The variety of structural framing exhibited within the timber frame structure.
-The varied exterior cladding including horizontal cladding and vertical siding.
-The regular placement of doors and window openings.
-The interior configuration and fittings with wooden partitions and the open volume of the hay barn with loft above.

The manner in which the Barn complex establishes the rural and agricultural character of its farm setting at Silver Spring Farm and is a conspicuous neighbourhood landmark, as evidenced by:

-Its design qualities, materials and appearance that complement the rural surroundings.
-The manner in which the barn complex strongly emphasises the agricultural belt setting and complements the farmhouse, greenhouses and associated farm buildings.
-The large structure’s visibility to passing traffic owing to its location in full view of the highway.
-Its local high profile through its current role supporting a residential and work program.