Description of Historic Place

The Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 as an integral component of York Redoubt, sits on a sloping plateau on the western side of Halifax Harbour. It is a small, rectangular, stone building with a slightly pitched roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 is a good example of a mid-19th century structure associated with the defence of the Imperial naval station of Halifax. The upgrade of the Halifax defences, and the substantial economic benefits that resulted, had a significant impact on the community of Halifax.

Architectural Value:
The Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 is a good example of a specialized, defensive structure integral to a permanent mid-19th century fortification. Initially designed as a multi-functional artillery stores place and as stores for tools and equipment for the rifled muzzle-loading guns, this building exhibits good craftsmanship and materials.

Environmental Value
The Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 reinforces the present character of its military setting at the York Redoubt National Historic Site and is familiar to staff and visitors.

Sources:
Ian Doull, York Redoubt, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report 95-001.

Artillery Stores, York Redoubt, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Heritage Character Statement 95-001.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 should be respected, for example:

The functional design and good quality materials, for example:

-The rectangular massing, the shallow gabled roof and the coursed ironstone rubble walls with corner quoins.
-The opening pattern featuring double doors, double hung windows and a lamp recess.
-The window openings with camber jack-arched lintels and stone thresholds, the door openings with timber wall plate lintels or camber jack-arched brick lintels and stone thresholds.
-The solid brick walls of the interior that divide the three stores, and the herringbone pattern brick flooring.
-The stove heating system and the tongue and groove board ceiling.

The manner in which the Former Artillery Stores, Building 629 reinforces the present military character of the setting within the York Redoubt National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark within the redoubt, as evidenced by:

-The specialized design and materials that maintain a visual and physical relationship between the Artillery Stores, the roadway and the rifled muzzle loading emplacements to the east.
-Its familiarity to visitors and to staff within the redoubt.