GETTING TO KNOW YOUR HOUSE
Before beginning any type of work on a historic property, it is important to understand the story of your house, from how and when it was built and the materials that were used to who lived there over the years, and what connections they and the building had to their community. This research can involve visiting local archives, asking neighbours or community members for information, looking through deed records, and educating yourself on architectural periods and styles.
UNDERSTANDING HERITAGE VALUE, CHARACTER DEFINING ELEMENTS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada is an essential document to become familiar with when you own a historic property, especially if you intend to do any maintenance or alterations to it. Some important definitions to know from this document are:
Historic Place: a structure, building, group of buildings, district, landscape, archaeological site or other place in Canada that has been formally recognized for its heritage value.
Heritage Value: the aesthetic, historic, scientific, cultural, social or spiritual importance or significance for past, present and future generations. The heritage value of an historic place is embodied in its character-defining materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses and cultural associations or meanings.
Character-defining Element: the materials, forms, location, spatial configurations, uses and cultural associations or meanings that contribute to the heritage value of an historic place, which must be retained to preserve its heritage value.
Depending on the level of formal recognition of your property (municipal, provincial or federal) there likely is already some sort of formal documentation on the heritage value of the property. If a historic place’s heritage value and character-defining elements are formally recognized by an authority or by nomination then information can be easily found in the form of a document called a “Statement of Significance” on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.
It's important to conserve and document historic buildings because they give character to a place, holding meaning, depth and stories as well as being environmentally sustainable and contributing to economic development and tourism.
BRIDGEWATER
"The Town of Bridgewater boasts a great variety of architectural styles and features, which are generally not noticeable at first glance. Its merchants, entrepreneurs, and professionals created many homes of magnificent construction and craftsmanship. It is important to preserve these buildings so that they can be appreciated by future generations!"
Bridgewater has land use by-laws which protect buildings built before 1920 within the architectural control area.
The Built Heritage Guide not only outlines the specifics of the by-law regulations but also provides helpful descriptions and illustrations, terminology, and architectural styles found in the town, which are:
New England Colonial (1710–1840)
Gothic Revival (1800–1890)
Neo-Classical (1810–1830)
Greek Revival (1830–1890)
Modified Gothic (1830–1890)
Maritime Vernacular (1830–1900)
Second Empire (1870–1900)
Queen Anne (1880–1930)
Four Square (1890–1930)
Craftsman (1900–1920)
RESOURCES
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
Town of Bridgewater Built Heritage (Bridgewater has lots of great online resources and archives as well as links to other helpful sites which are worth exploring!)
DesBrisay Museum (The DesBrisay Museum has some online resources, but you can also make an appointment to view the archives in person)