Description of Historic Place

The Commissariat Office is a rectangular, brick bungalow with a low, hipped roof and prominent end chimneys. Its brickwork includes keywork above the windows and detailing around the main entrance. The building faces the Detroit River and is located in the heart of Amherstburg Navy Yard National Historic Site of Canada. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Commissariat Office is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Commissariat Office strongly illustrates the presence of the military in the former reserve area near the center of Amherstburg. The Commissariat Office administered local service contracts to the military and also relates to the economic development of Amherstburg from 1830-1850.

Architectural Value
The Commissariat Office is a very good example of the standardized bungalow constructed by the British military during the 1830s. It is characterized by its symmetrical compact form and domestic scale. The building’s competent workmanship is evidenced in the handling of the brickwork, in particular the keywork above the windows and the detailing around the entrance.

Environmental Value
The Commissariat Office reinforces the present character of its fort setting. As part of a national and local landmark at Amherstburg Navy Yard National Historic Site of Canada , it is a familiar building.

Sources:
James De Jonge, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office, Building Report 91-181.

Commissariat Office, Fort Malden National Historic Site, Amherstburg, Ontario Heritage Character Statement, 91-181.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Commissariat Office should be respected, for example:

Its standardized bungalow design, and good craftsmanship, for example:

-The symmetrical massing and compact form of the well proportioned bungalow design consisting of a rectangular, one-storey structure with a low hipped roof and prominent end chimneys.
-The design of the principle, five-bay façade, with its centre door and fan light and paired twelve-over-twelve sash windows.
-The masonry work including the rubble stone foundations, the brick walls and chimneys, and the dressed-stone ledges and front steps.
-The simple decorative details such as the iron work.
-The surviving interior finishes including the wood plank flooring, interior trims and plasterwork.

The manner in which the Commissariat Office reinforces the character of the fort setting, and is a familiar building, as evidenced by:

-Its domestic design and materials which are a focal point at the historic site and which complement the fort setting.
-Its visibility and historical association with Amherstburg Navy Yard National Historic Site of Canada which makes it familiar within the area.