Description of Historic Place

The Edna Cormier Building is a two-storey commercial building in the Trading House style, built in 1903 for Dina Léger-Cormier. It is located on Main Street in Shediac's business district.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Edna Cormier Building as a local historic place resides in its association with the commercial success of Acadian businesswomen in Shediac from the late 19th century until the 1960's. In 1891, after the death of her husband, Dina Léger-Cormier (1859-1925) took over the management of the family business, which included a grocery and retail store. After the building burnt down in 1902, she had the current structure built. Around 1915, her daughter Edna Cormier (1883-1971) took over the business. Edna Cormier, a visionary woman, became actively involved in several ventures, including the establishment of the Caisse Populaire, the Shediac Co-operative, and the town planning commission. After a recent renovation, the site was officially designated the Edna Cormier Building.

Source: Shediac Town Hall, Historic Places File #19

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements associated with the Edna Cormier Building include:
- location in town’s business district;
- two-storey rectangular massing;
- flat roof;
- symmetry of the Trading House style façade;
- original dimensions;
- intact basement.