Description of Historic Place

The Britton House, at 12 Church Street, is on the west side of Church Street, south of James Street in Seaforth, Municipality of Huron East. The two storey white brick house was constructed in 1871.

The property was designated by the former Town of Seaforth (now Municipality of Huron East) in 1973 for its heritage value under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 12-1978).

Heritage Value

The Britton House is a good example of a Georgian style residence. Designed and built by Phillip Sparling, the two storey white brick residence features a round headed Italianate style window on the second storey and Italianate detailing above the front entrance and a fine veranda that extends the full width of the facade. The curvature of the roof on the veranda is also an example of fine craftsmanship. The south portion of the house was added in 1886, by Dr. W. Bruce Smith for office space.

Source: Town of Seaforth, By-law 12-1978.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of 12 Church Street include its:
- two headstones of unknown origin
- two storey white brick exterior
- hip roof
- rounded headed Italianate window
- veranda
- bargeboard on veranda
- curvature of veranda's roof
- two brick chimneys