Description of Historic Place

Located on the west side of the main road in the village of River John, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the Murray House is a two and a half storey wooden house built in the Queen Anne Revival style. The Municipal Heritage Designation includes the building.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Murray House, lies in its Queen Anne architectural style, its relatively unaltered exterior and its association with local resident, Dr. Duncan Andrew Murray.

Murray House was built in 1899 for a local Doctor, Dr. Duncan Andrew Murray. Unlike many homes of similar age, Murray House has managed to maintain its original style and structure.

The house was built in the Queen Anne Style, a style that was ideal for the picturesque country setting and fits in well with surrounding houses. As well, since the Murray House is located in a small village the size of the house is magnified. The exterior of this historic residence remains true to its original design and the original exterior colours- cream walls and hunter’s red trim- have been retained. With the exception of a few upgrades - new windows and electricity -the exterior of the house remains relatively unchanged.

The Murray House is an example of a residence that has survived its ever-changing surroundings.

Source: Inventory Site Form 60.05.00091, Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Recreation & Fitness

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements of the Murray House relating to its Queen Anne style architecture include:

- Original colours- cream walls and hunter’s red trim;
- Hip roof with brackets and decorative bargeboard;
- Gable-roofed dormer with two windows;
- Gable on side with Palladian windows and with stained glass on the sides;
- Side picture window with stained glass;
- Verandah’s bracket hip-roof with scalloped shingles;
- Pediments over the windows;
- Stone foundation and doorstep;
- Wood construction.