Description du lieu patrimonial

46 Victoria Street West is a two-and-a-half-storey Maritime Vernacular home built circa 1884. This north-facing home sits on the main street of Amherst, Nova Scotia, in an older residential area near the downtown commercial district. The residence is slightly set back from the sidewalk and is surrounded by mature trees and bushes. The building and property are included in the municipal designation.

Valeur patrimoniale

46 Victoria Street West is valued as an unusual example of a decorated Maritime Vernacular home. Also valued is its association with the Lusby family, which was an important family in the history and development of Amherst.

Architectural Value: Maritime Vernacular buildings were practical, functional structures built for the purpose of shelter or storage. They had clean lines with little or no ornamentation, so this house is made unique by the decorative brackets and distinctive scrollwork under the eaves that contrast sharply with the straight lines of the house. The Vernacular style is also evident in its symmetrical box-like appearance, the large central door, and the balanced placement of its windows and two chimneys.

Historical Value: The house was built circa 1884 for John C. Lusby, and is believed to be the third house on this site. This lot of land came into the hands of John C. Lusby’s grandfather, Thomas Lusby, in 1783. The elder Lusby lived on this site, operated the first gristmill in Amherst, and was a member of the Legislature for the Amherst Township until 1801. The gristmill operated until the 1920s, and the Lusbys owned this piece of land until the 1950s.

Source: “Heritage Properties Amherst, 46 Victoria West” File, Cumberland County Museum

Éléments caractéristiques

Character-defining elements of 46 Victoria Street West include:

- decorative scrollwork and brackets under the eaves;
- architecturally balanced chimneys.

Character-defining Maritime Vernacular elements of 46 Victoria West include:

- typical box-like shape;
- symmetric placement of windows;
- central entrance.