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Guardhouse / Orderly Room

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1991/02/21

Exterior photo; CPS, ORO, 1989.
Exterior photo
Exterior photo; CPS, ORO, 1989.
Exterior photo
No Image

Other Name(s)

Guardhouse / Orderly Room
Guardhouse / Orderly Room
Poste de garde / salle de rapport

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2006/06/30

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is located at the Fort George National Historic Site, which overlooks the Niagara River, on the outskirts of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is a long, rectangular, squared log structure with dovetailed corners and a gabled-roof clad in cedar shakes. Small windows, and functionally placed chimneys, doors and windows give an austere, frontier aesthetic. The Guardhouse is situated within the fort palisades in a large grassed area with paved walkways. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is a very good example of a building associated with the development and expansion of historic sites in Canada during the 1930s Depression, as a result of government funded relief work programs. Historic reconstruction, common to this period, followed a North American pattern influenced by the reconstruction of Colonial Williamsburg. Recognition that an increase in private ownership of automobiles would encourage tourism promoted the reconstruction of Fort George as a tourist destination. Both the reconstruction process and the subsequent attraction of the public to the area contributed to the economic development of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Architectural Value:
The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is valued for its good aesthetic design. The reconstructions were generally based on extensive research. However, the architects freely interpreted the information about Fort George. The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is only loosely based on its 1802 antecedent. The exposed log construction is consistent with other buildings on the site, and represents the designer’s concept of a ‘frontier’ aesthetic. Good functional design is evidenced in the placement of doors and windows. Good use of traditional materials and good craftsmanship is evident in the log construction.

Environmental Value:
The Guardhouse / Orderly Room is compatible with the historic character of Fort George National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark to residents and to visitors.

Sources:
Shannon Ricketts, Twenty Buildings, Niagara Historic Sites, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report 89-015.

The Guardhouse / Orderly Room, Fort George, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 89-015.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Guardhouse / Orderly Room should be respected, for example:

Its good aesthetic, functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:

-The rectangular, one-storey massing.
-The gable roof and the hand split cedar shakes used for roof cladding, and the chimneys.
-The exterior walls constructed of squared logs with dovetailed corners, the small windows and the two doors on the façade.
-The interior configuration.

The manner in which the Guardhouse / Orderly Room is compatible with the historic character of the National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by:


-Its simple design and materials which harmonize with the other buildings within the military setting of the fort.
-Its role as a component of the group of structures from the Fort George National Historic Site complex, which make it familiar to locals and visitors.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Federal

Recognition Authority

Government of Canada

Recognition Statute

Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy

Recognition Type

Recognized Federal Heritage Building

Recognition Date

1991/02/21

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1802/01/01 to 1802/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Defence
Military Support

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

4805

Status

Published

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