Description of Historic Place

Maison de la Fondue, constructed in the early 1900s, is a 2-story vernacular Classic Revival residence located on Luce Street in Tracadie-Sheila. The white fence and the mature trees give the building, with its veranda, a distinctive character.

Heritage Value

Maison de la Fondue is designated a Local Historic Place for its association with its former occupants and for its architecture.

Constructed in the early 20th century, the Maison de la Fondue was owned by George Petrie, a blacksmith by trade. The foundation was not built until 1926. That same year, Bert Ahern, manager of the A & R Loggie Store, acquired the building. After passing through various hands, it was bought by the current owners in 1988. In 1992, they turned it into a restaurant, which is still in operation today.

The heritage value of Maison de la Fondue is also associated with a number of original architectural elements. The house is a good example of the vernacular Classic Revival style, popular at the beginning of the 20th century. Théodore Savoie brought the windows and doors, which are the original ones, from Prince Edward Island by ship. Despite the renovations done to convert the building into a restaurant, it retains its heritage value thanks to certain original elements, such as the hardwood, the windows, and the rough-plaster walls. The white fence and the mature trees give the building, with its veranda, a distinctive character.

Source : Town of Tracadie-Sheila, Heritage file # 19

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the architecture of Maison de la Fondue include:
- 2-storey “L” plan layout;
- gable roof with returned eaves;
- original veranda;
- dormer with a shed roof;
- original windows;
- original door and window frames.

The character-defining elements that describe the interior of Maison de la Fondue include:
- rough-plaster walls;
- ceiling made of pine boards;
- hardwood floors.

The character-defining elements that describe the grounds of Maison de la Fondue include:
- mature trees.