Description of Historic Place

The Somerville Residence is a two-and-a-half storey late-19th century vernacular Queen Anne Revival residence. Located prominently on Main Street, the residence is a noted landmark in the former Village of Bristol, now the Town of Florenceville-Bristol.

Heritage Value

The Somerville Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its history as an integral feature of Main Street in the former Village of Bristol. Built by Matthew Caldwell in 1890, the structure was originally the Bristol Hotel. In 1904 it was purchased by village doctor George Somerville, who lived there until his death in 1936, at which time it passed to his son Donald, the village dentist. The residence is an example of a vernacular interpretation of Queen Anne Revival architecture. This style is evident in such details as the asymmetrical plan, the large pediment gable and the full-width enclosed veranda.

Source: Florenceville-Bristol Town Office, Historic Places file “Somerville Residence”

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the Somerville Residence include:
- prominent location on Main Street;
- large enclosed veranda facing Main Street;
- two-and-a-half storey asymmetrical massing;
- cross-gabled roof;
- window placement in gable facing Main Street;
- large pediment formed by the front-facing gable;
- clapboard siding;
- main entrance fronting Main Street.