Description of Historic Place

The Gerrish House is a two-storey Edwardian Foursquare residence constructed in the 1920's as home to local business couple Jane (MacRae-Bean) and James Gerrish. The home is situated on the west side of Main Street within the north end business district in the Village of Blackville.

Heritage Value

The Gerrish House is designated a Local Historic Place for its association with local resident and businessperson, Jane MacRae. MacRae, a descendant of a longstanding name in the Village of Blackville, was owner of a nearby storefront within the village and operated it along with her first husband, James Bean, and second husband, James Gerrish. Her matriarchal qualities and her astute business sense resulted in the establishment of a compliment of influential properties within the family merchant business trade.

This residence is also valued for its placement within a grouping of buildings associated with Jane (MacRae-Bean) Gerrish, and is a good example of Edwardian Foursquare design from the early 20th century in Blackville. Built circa 1925, the building’s form, massing, roof and windows reflect typical elements of this style.

Source: Village of Blackville, Village Office Site File# 08-03

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the Edwardian Foursquare design of the Gerrish House include:
- rectangular two-storey form and massing ;
- hipped roof;
- offset front entrance;
- full-width enclosed porch on main level;
- elongated x-pattern porch windows;
- situated on narrow lot within grouping of original owner properties.