Description of Historic Place

The Former Home of MP Gilbert Girouard is a two-story picturesque residence built in 1875 at the top of a hill with a superb view of Bouctouche Bay on Bellevue Street in Bouctouche.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Former Home of MP Gilbert Girouard as an important local historic place stems from its association with the politician who lived there. Elected as a Member of Parliament in 1878, Gilbert Girouard (1846-1885) was the first Acadian MP from New Brunswick in the House of Commons in Ottawa. He was mostly known for his commitment to public affairs as MP for Kent County from 1878 to 1883, and for his important role in the arrangement of structures to boost Acadia’s development. During the Acadian nationalist movement, Gilbert Girouard served as President of the Commission acadienne du congrès de Québec in 1880 and as Secretary of the first convention nationale des Acadiens in Memramcook, New Brunswick, in 1881. Owner of a lumber mill, Gilbert Girouard provided Father François Xavier Michaud with the wood needed for the construction of the Immaculate Conception convent, free of charge.

Source: Kent Museum, 150 Du Couvent Road, Bouctouche, New Brunswick

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements associated with the Former Home of MP Gilbert Girouard include:
- location on the shore with a view of Bouctouche Bay;
- two storey massing;
- gable roof;
- two windows projecting from the ground floor;
- central door with two newels;
- original interior wood trim.