Description of Historic Place
The Former Field Forge Storage Building (No.90) is situated within Fort Charlotte on George's Island located in Halifax Harbour. It is a small, red brick building with a centrally placed double door, a brick chimney and a low-pitched, wooden roof. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
The Former Field Forge Storage Building (No.90) is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value:
The Former Field Forge Storage Building (No.90) is associated with the defence of the Imperial naval station during the period of heightened tension following the Trent Affair of 1861, and also the change in armament technology represented by the introduction of the rifled muzzle-loading gun. Integral to the fort, the Former Field Forge Storage Building was built to store a portable field forge, a supply of ‘smith’s coal’, an anvil, a variety of blacksmith’s tools, and a stock of iron and steel for the repair of ordnance and stores.
Architectural Value:
The Former Field Forge Storage Building(No.90) is a good example of a specialized coastal defence support structure integral to a permanent fortification. This simple, functional, building exhibits very good craftsmanship and materials.
Environmental Value
The Former Field Forge Storage Building(No.90) reinforces the present military character of the Fort McNab National Historic Site setting and is familiar to staff and visitors to the island.
Sources:
Rhona Goodspeed, George's Island, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Volume Two, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 95-001.
The Former: Artillery Stores (No.90), Fort Charlotte, Georges Island, Halifax Defence Complex, Halifax, Nova Scotia Heritage Character Statement 95-001.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Former Field Forge Storage Building (No.90) should be respected, for example:
Its functional design and very good quality craftsmanship and materials, for example:
-The simple massing, rectangular plan, the low-pitched gable roof and the central single brick chimney stack with double course oversailing;
-The solid brick walls constructed in English bond, the double door facing into the centre of the work and the operable window in each of the gable ends;
-The interior plain brick walls, the concrete flooring, the remaining interior fittings including the forge, an anvil and a water tank.
The manner in which the Former Field Forge Storage Building (No.90) reinforces the present military character of the setting within Georges Island National Historic Site and is a familiar landmark as evidenced by:
-Its specialized design and the manner in which its design scale and materials harmonize with and reinforce the overall military character of its setting;
-The visual familiarity of the building within the fort.
