Description of Historic Place

The Tait & Melanson Block is a three-storey commercial building constructed in 1903 to accommodate the businesses of Chesley Tait and Olivier M. Melanson. It is located on Main Street, right in the heart of the town of Shediac.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Tait & Melanson Block as a local historic place lies in its association with the commercial and professional success of two individuals from the region for whom the building was constructed. R. Chesley Tait (1857-1938) and Olivier M. Melanson (1854-1926) are recognized for their work as potato producers and exporters of potatoes to foreign markets, and also as general store operators. This site also underscores their participation in provincial and municipal politics at various levels.

The Tait & Melanson Block has some architectural value based on its original architecture. This commercial building was built in the Neo-Roman style by Harry H. Mott, a well-known architect from Saint John, N.B. All of its architectural features, including its façade, considered to be one of the loveliest in the province, are concealed by modern aluminum siding.

Source: Registrar's Office - Shediac Town Hall - File # 18

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements associated with the Tait & Melanson Block include:
- downtown location;
- 3-story rectangular massing;
- original Neo-Roman façade still existent under the aluminum siding;
- symmetrical fenestration in its original form;
- shapes of the various window openings;
- concrete basement walls that maintain their original character.