News Release Archive
HOUSING/MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS--HERITAGE PROPERTIES ----------------------------------------------------------------- Four historic buildings in Yarmouth, Halifax, Sydney and Stewiacke have been recommended as provincial heritage properties. Each of these buildings represent a unique and interesting part of Nova Scotia's history. The four properties have been recommended by the provincial advisory council on heritage property to Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Smith. "The range of history and architecture represented by these four buildings attest to the rich heritage of our province," said Dr. Smith. "That the owners of these buildings have requested provincial registration demonstrates their personal commitment to the preservation of this heritage." The Yarmouth property is a house built in 1864 by Stayley Brown, a Yarmouth shipowner, provincial treasurer and vocal opponent of Confederation. Mr. Brown built the stately Italianate residence on a hillside with a sweeping view of town and harbour, and the carefully planted gardens running down to the water's edge. The Halifax site is Fort Massey United Church. It was originally part of the defences of the City of Halifax. However, since Fort Massey Presbyterian Church was erected in 1871, this has been a sacred site. Designed by one of Nova Scotia's best architects, David Stirling, Fort Massey's congregation has included two premiers, two lieutenant governors, three presidents of Dalhousie University, and author Lucy Maud Montgomery. The Sydney building, referred to as the Kennedy House, dates back to the early days of the city. Sydney was founded in 1784, by Governor Frederic DesBarres as the capital of the new colony of Cape Breton. Just opposite from DesBarres' landing spot is the small frame house built when the settlement was only a year old. Along with a few nearby structures such as the Cossit House and the Jost House, it remains as evidence of the long history of Sydney. The last property recommended is a small brick house in the Second Empire style, near Stewiacke. Built in the 1870's, it was good advertising for the owner, James Miller, because he was developing a major brickworks and distributing them throughout Nova Scotia. Mr. Miller's office was located on the ground floor of the house, while Mrs. Miller had her own drawing room, on the second floor. The advisory committee on heritage property is appointed to advise the minister on the registration of heritage properties. Members include: historian Dr. Neil Boucher; superintendent of the Fortress of Louisbourg Bill O'Shea; former municipal Heritage committee chair Janis Gill; lawyer Diane Thompson-Sheppard, Q.C.; retired Technical University of Nova Scotia architecture professor Ken Hurley; municipal heritage workers Laurent D'Entrement and Ann Trask-Fulde, and the Rev. Hazen Parent. -30- Contact: Wayde Brown 902-424-5647 trp Oct. 03, 1996 - 9:30 a.m.