commissariat building, ottawa

As the only extant structure on the site dating from the period of construction of the Rideau Canal and having served as a depot for supplying the many construction sites along the Rideau Canal, the Commissariat Building is directly associated with the military origin and subsequent development of the Rideau waterway and the City of Ottawa.Architectural valueThe Commissariat Building is a very good example of a commercial or industrial building from the pre-Confederation era, erected in the British military traditions of the day. Open Hours The high level of craftsmanship displayed in the masonry walls, constructed by the prominent Montreal contractor Thomas MacKay, reflects the importance placed on the construction of this building on the frontier of Upper Canada. (Architect), Bytown Museum  Commissariat Building Ottawa Lockstation The Commissariat Building was constructed in 1827 to the designs of the Corps of Royal Engineers. As part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, it is the northernmost station along the Rideau Canal and is the oldest remaining stone building in Ottawa. Disclaimer - As part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, it is the northernmost station along the Rideau Canal and is the oldest remaining stone building in Ottawa. Discover the secrets hidden within Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the Commissariat, home of the BYTOWN MUSEUM in this special behind-the-scene tour! The Commissariat Building is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.Historical valueThe Commissariat Building is one of the best examples of the national theme of the military defence strategy for Upper and Lower Canada in the 1820s and the evolution of that strategy over time. The symmetrical spacing of supply doors and windows and the roughly coursed and textured masonry of the walls reflect the building's original function as a storehouse. The Commissariat Building is located on the west side of the locks at the Ottawa Lockstation, at the lower end of Colonel By Valley, in the heart of Ottawa. Saturday, June 2, 2018 - 10:00 to 16:00 (Construction), Royal Engineers  See FHBRO Building Report 91-134. Built in 1827 as Colonel By’s storehouse on the Rideau Canal, this building still has many stories to tell. The following character-defining elements of the Commissariat Building should be respected. The site's 19th century circulation patterns were reinstated in the 1990s, using contemporary materials.The building's balanced proportions and symmetrical elevations lend it a particularly imposing presence, which is strengthened by the visual weight and texture of the masonry walls. The building currently houses the Bytown Museum, and is part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. 3 Canal Lane, Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Ontario, Canada, Commissariat BuildingBytown MuseumMusée Bytown. Architectural valueThe Commissariat Building is a very good example of a commercial or industrial building from the pre-Confederation era, erected in the British military traditions of the day. Whether a house of worship or a simple farmhouse, the fabrication of a building reveals both the unspoken cultural aspirations of the builder and the inevitable exigencies of the construction process. The Commissariat Building’s visual prominence, contribution to the historic military character of its park-like setting, and landmark status, as evidenced in:- its imposing position within the Colonel By Valley, facing the Rideau Canal and overlooking its northern entrance;- its direct relationship to the other elements of the Ottawa Lockstation, including the locks proper and Lockmaster’s Building, and to the site’s 19th century circulation patterns, reinstated in the 1990s;- its public function as an historical museum, which allows it to remain highly accessible. Having served as a depot for supplying the many construction sites along the Rideau Canal, and as the oldest remaining stone building in Ottawa, it is associated with the military origin and subsequent development of the Rideau waterway and the City of Ottawa. The evidence of the building's former functions should be respected when considering modifications to the building's interior.The building's doors and windows are reproductions fabricated during the 1980s restoration of the building to its 1840s appearance and contribute pattern and texture to the elevations. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building. The Commissariat Building was constructed in 1827 to the designs of the Corps of Royal Engineers. The high level of craftsmanship displayed in the masonry walls, constructed by the prominent Montreal contractor Thomas MacKay, reflects the importance placed on the construction of this building on the frontier of Upper Canada.Character Defining ElementsThe heritage character of the Commissariat Building resides in its form, proportion, architectural features and materials which contribute to its imposing early commercial character.The rectangular massing of the three storey building displays a well balanced composition of wall surface to openings, and is covered by a gable roof with cross-axial gables centred on the long elevations. As part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, it is the northernmost station along the Rideau Canal and … Any intervention which detracts from the form and proportion of the building, or from the symmetrical shape and placement of its openings should be avoided.The building's interior has undergone several modifications but retains some large storage and smaller office spaces which reflect the period of usage by the military. Send us your feedback. Parks Canada is the custodian. Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the Commissariat, is home to the BYTOWN MUSEUM. Any change to the form, finish or detail of the building, or any departure from the 1980s restoration work, should be based on documentary evidence.The position of the Commissariat Building within the valley overlooking the northern entrance of the Rideau Canal contributes to its imposing character. The Bytown Museum, formerly the Commissariat building, was built in 1827 and is the oldest stone building in Ottawa Following the conclusion of the war, Society activities picked up. The building currently houses the Bytown Museum, and is part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. The Commissariat Building is located on the west side of the locks at the Ottawa Lockstation, at the lower end of Colonel By Valley, in the heart of Ottawa. Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, 1827 to 1827 Learn all about this spectacular heritage building from the foundation to the rafters, the vault, and stories of its former uses and inhabitants. Discover the secrets hidden within Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the Commissariat, home of the BYTOWN MUSEUM in this special behind-the-scene tour! Parks Canada is the custodian. During the 1980s the building was restored to its 1840s appearance. Housed in the Commissariat Building, Ottawa's oldest remaining stone building, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the origins of Bytown and its development and growth into the present city of Ottawa. Learn all about this spectacular heritage building from the foundation to the rafters, the vault, and stories of its former uses and inhabitants. Learn all about this spectacular heritage building from the foundation to the rafters, the vault, and stories of its former uses and inhabitants. Sunday, June 3, 2018 - 10:00 to 16:00 Reasons for DesignationThe Commissariat Building has been designated Classified for its important historical associations, its impressive architectural character and its environmental significance. As part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada, it is the northernmost station along the Rideau Canal and is the oldest remaining stone building in Ottawa. The Commissariat Building is located on the west side of the locks at the Ottawa Lockstation, at the lower end of Colonel By Valley, in the heart of Ottawa. We would love to hear from you. Historical valueThe Commissariat Building is one of the best examples of the national theme of the military defence strategy for Upper and Lower Canada in the 1820s and the evolution of that strategy over time. Colonel By’s decision to commence construction of the canal at this site was the major impetus behind the founding and settlement of Bytown (now called Ottawa). As the only extant structure on the site dating from the period of construction of the Rideau Canal and having served as a depot for supplying the many construction sites along the Rideau Canal, the Commissariat Building is directly associated with the military origin and subsequent development of the Rideau waterway and the City of Ottawa. http://www.bytownmuseum.ca. Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Ontario, 3 Canal Lane, Ottawa, Rideau Canal National Historic Site, Ontario, Treasury Board Policy on Management of Real Property. The following character-defining elements of the Commissariat Building should be respected. Its prominent sitting at the centre of Ottawa’s tourist area visible from the Ottawa River, as well as its visibility and accessibility as an historical museum make the Commissariat Building a well-known neighbourhood landmark. ShuttlePublic WashroomsDisabled AccessBike ParkingFamily FriendlyOC Transpo NearbyGuided Tour Available Any new landscape elements should respect this position and its direct relationship with the canal locks proper. It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions. Located adjacent to the northern terminus of the Rideau Canal and near the heart of Ottawa’s commercial district, the building served as a depot for supplying bulk provisions to many of the construction sites along the northern section of the Rideau Canal, housed offices for Commissariat officials, and provided residential accommodation.