NB 14
Jan. 11, 2000
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Twelve New Brunswick sites were designated as Provincial Historic Sites during 1999 under the Historic Sites Protection Act. Three of these sites also received protected status under the act. The designations were announced by Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Minister Peter Mesheau.
The twelve sites include public and private historic buildings, a tragic marine disaster and the world's longest covered bridge:
-OLD VICTORIA COUNTY REGISTRY OFFICE, Perth-Andover (Protected). The registry office in Perth-Andover was constructed in 1902 from sandstone quarried at Red Rapids. For nearly a century, this building housed the county registry office and currently serves as the town office of Perth-Andover. It was also home to other provincial offices and housed the area's first bank, the Peoples Bank of Halifax, from 1902 to 1905.
-MARY GRANNAN HOUSE, Fredericton (Protected). Internationally known children's author, Mary Evelyn Grannan (1900-1975) lived here at 325 Brunswick Street in Fredericton for many years. Just Mary, as she was known, wrote 30 books and thousands of radio and TV scripts including the adventures of Maggie Muggins. The building is a rare example of a working class dwelling in a neighbourhood of stately homes.
-JOHN T. WILLISTON HOUSE, Miramichi (Protected). Williston House was constructed around 1820 by Scottish stonemason Andrew Currie on Water Street. The house served as the residence and law offices of J.T. Williston. In later years, it served as a post office, customs house, bank, Legion and many other commercial enterprises. Williston House represents an important part of the commercial history of Miramichi.
-CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN CHURCH, St. Stephen. This ornate Gothic Revival wooden church was consecrated in 1864 by Bishop John Medley, first Anglican Bishop of Fredericton and a leading influence on church architecture in New Brunswick. Christ Church is considered one of the best examples of Gothic style in wood.
-CODYS WOMEN'S INSTITUTE HALL, Codys, Queens County. Constructed in 1870, the Women's Institute Hall has been the social centre of the rural community of Codys for many generations.
-RICHARDSON AND SON BOAT BUILDING, Richardson, Deer Island. Five generations of the Richardson family constructed fishing and pleasure craft in this facility on Deer Island from the 1850s to the 1960s. Thomas Richardson built the original structure at Richardson Harbour around 1850 and his son, George Everett, built the larger building around 1880. The firm built boats for clients in the Maritimes and the United States.
-PRINCE-LEWIS HOUSE, Moncton. Since its construction, the house served as a private residence, inn, tavern, and as a boarding house. It is one of the oldest wooden structures in the greater Moncton area.
-HARTLAND COVERED BRIDGE, Hartland. The longest covered bridge in the world at 385 metres (1,282 feet) was originally constructed in 1901 by the Hartland Bridge Company as a toll bridge. The bridge span was covered in 1922 and a covered foot bridge was added in 1943.
-VICTORIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE, Perth Andover. This 1878 Second Empire style public building has served as a jail and as the site of public hangings. The building is still a functioning courthouse for Victoria County.
-ST. PAUL'S UNITED CHURCH, Edmundston. This 1926 Gothic style church has served an interprovincial and international congregation for nearly 75 years.
-WATER STREET DISTRICT, Miramichi. This is New Brunswick's first provincially designated historic district. Water Street is the commercial and historic heart of the former Town of Chatham. It comprises much of the business and waterfront area and illustrates the architecture and history of the area as a shipbuilding and commercial centre.
-ESCUMINAC DISASTER (1959), Escuminac. This designation commemorates the 1959 Escuminac Disaster in which 35 area fishermen lost their lives.
The Historic Sites Protection Act was established in 1954 to enable the government of New Brunswick to declare sites or buildings to be of anthropological or historic importance to the province. If a site is declared a provincial historic site, it means that it has been determined to be of special significance to New Brunswick history. Protected sites requires a ministerial permit for any renovations or alterations.
For further information on the Historic Sites Protection Act, please contact the Heritage Branch at 506-453-2324 or visit the Heritage Branch Website at: http://www.gnb.ca/culture/heritage.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Craig Chouinard, communications, Economic Development, Tourism and Culture, 506-444-5916; Bill Hicks, Heritage Branch, Economic Development, Tourism and Culture, 506-444-5320.
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