Description of Historic Place

Hough House is centrally located in a park setting at Fort Malden National Historic Site. The brick building is topped by a wood shingled, high-pitched, gable roof with dormers. The main entrance to the house is defined by a projecting portico with classically inspired motifs in the wood detail. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Hough House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Hough House is a very good example of a building that illustrates the development of Fort Malden as a National Historic Site (NHS). Originally constructed in 1861-1862 as a combined laundry and bakery, it was purchased by the federal government in 1946. The house was gradually developed into an administrative and interpretative facility for Fort Malden NHS.

Architectural Value
Hough House has a good aesthetic design. Constructed in 1861-1862 in a utilitarian fashion, it was redesigned in 1920 in a Colonial Revival style. The house imitates the popular English Colonial architecture of estates built in the 1920s, and its domestic scale and center hall plan demonstrate a good functional design. Quality construction and workmanship also characterize the building as seen in the masonry work and wood detailing.

Environmental Value
Hough House is compatible with its park-like landscape setting at Fort Malden National Historic Site and is well-known to staff and visitors.

Sources:
James De Jonge, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office, Building Report 91-181;Hough House, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 91-181.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Hough House should be respected.

Its elements of the Colonial Revival style, good functional design and good craftsmanship, for example:
-the domestic scale of the two-and-a-half storey structure with a single storey sunroom;
-the high pitched gable roof with symmetrical, front and rear dormers;
-the symmetrical five bay façade with classically inspired motifs that include the cornice and front portico, and the sash and Palladian windows;
-the interior centre hall plan and principal partitions;
-the detailed brick masonry accented by stone sills and lintels;
-the use of wood, including the wood shingle roof, the wood trims and the formal, elaborate, interior staircase.

The manner in which Hough House is compatible with the character of its park-like landscape setting and is a well-known building at Fort Malden National Historic Site, as evidenced by:
-its domestic scale, Colonial Revival style, and stone and wood materials which harmonize with its park-like landscape at the National Historic Site;
-its relationship to the enclosing fort embankments;
-its high visibility and familiarity given its prominent, central location;
-its use by visitors and staff as a museum and interpretative centre.