Description of Historic Place

15 Hillsborough Street is a wood framed house built in the Maritime Vernacular Cottage style. It features a prominent wall dormer on the facade which breaks the eave line. Built prior to 1850, it was moved in the early 20th Century from the south west corner of King Street and Hillsborough Street to its current location in a residential area. The designation encompasses the building's exterior and parcel; it does not include the building's interior.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of 15 Hillsborough Street lies in its association with various Charlottetown residents, its Maritime Vernacular influenced architecture, and its role in supporting the streetscape.

The Adams family of New London owned the land on which 15 Hillsborough Street was built sometime before 1850. By that year, Master Mariner George Harris was a resident of the home. Harris was Master of the brigs, the Idas and the Cumberland.

15 Hillsborough Street would have a number of occupants throughout its history such as Messrs. DeRoche, Revelle and McCarthy. In 1916, local businessman, F. N. Kays purchased the home. Before 1923, when Kays had his house and corner store at 19 Hillsborough Street constructed, he had 15 Hillsborough Street moved south to its current location to accommodate the new building. A local directory from 1929-1930 lists the occupants of 15 Hillsborough Street as William T. and Nina Cameron.

15 Hillsborough Street is an example of the Maritime Vernacular Cottage style, which was common in mid 19th Century Charlottetown. A distinctive Maritime style, its features include a rectangular plan, a central doorway and a large centrally placed dormer breaking the front eave line. These homes were usually unadorned, unless influenced by a later style, in which case some exterior decoration is sometimes present.

A very old home located in an area with a variety of heritage homes; 15 Hillsborough Street helps support the Hillsborough Street Streetscape.

Sources: Heritage Office, City of Charlottetown Planning Department, PO Box 98, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2
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Character-Defining Elements

The following Maritime Vernacular influenced character-defining elements contribute to the heritage value of 15 Hillsborough Street:

- The overall rectangular massing of the building with its symmetrical facade
- The gable roof with a large gabled roof wall dormer in the centre
- The wooden shingle cladding
- The style and symmetrical placement of the windows, including the two sash windows-one on either side of the door and the centrally placed dormer window
- The style and placement of the doors, particularly the centrally placed front door
- The simple mouldings painted in a contrasting colour, particularly the window and door surrounds, the cornice, brackets and corner boards
- The size and central placement of the chimney

Other character-defining elements include:

- The location of the home on Hillsborough Street among other heritage buildings