Description of Historic Place

The Main Hatchery Building, part of the Miramichi Fish Hatchery, is prominent within a small cluster of buildings set in a landscaped park-like setting amongst fishponds and waterways. It is a one-storey wood structure and its symmetrical façade is highlighted by a gabled portico and dormer windows on the hipped roof ends. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Main Hatchery Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Main Hatchery Building is one of the best examples of the early development of aquaculture by the federal government, which began at Miramichi in 1873-74 as a response to depleted fish stocks. The hatchery is associated with the stimulation of the economically important local sports and commercial fishery.

Architectural Value
The Main Hatchery Building is a good example of the Classical Revival style of architecture popular in government buildings in the early 20th century. It presents a well-ordered symmetrical façade, whose classically derived detailing belies the building’s utilitarian function. The structure established the proportions and stylistic theme followed by the more recent buildings.

Environmental Value
The Main Hatchery Building reinforces the aquaculture research character of the hatchery compound setting in a park-like location set against a backdrop of forest. It is a familiar landmark to those working at the Miramichi Fish Hatchery.

Sources: Joan Mattie, Main Hatchery Building, Miramichi Fish Hatchery, R.R # 1, Newcastle, New Brunswick. Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 93-090; The Miramichi Fish Hatchery, Newcastle, New Brunswick. Heritage Character Statement 93-090.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Main Hatchery Building should be respected.

Its Classical Revival style and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the low massing of the one-storey, wood structure with its symmetrical façade and hipped roof with gabled dormer windows; the prominent portico set on columns with panelled pedestals and capitals, the entrance door, panelled in the lower portion and glazed above, surmounted by a rectangular transom; the horizontal wood siding of the exterior walls and the black and white exterior trim; the regular fenestration; the interior layout, which provides a large open space for water tanks.

The manner in which the Main Hatchery Building reinforces the aquaculture research character of the setting and is a familiar landmark, as evidenced by: its scale and design and park-like setting which established the character of the other buildings; the prominence of the hatchery by nature of its function.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). 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.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery was built in 1907 by the Department of Marine and Fisheries. Alterations include the addition of at least one wing, and the upgrading of the interior hatchery equipment. The building continues to operate as a fish hatchery. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is custodian. See FHBRO Report 93-090.

Reasons For Designation
The Miramichi Fish Hatchery was designated Recognized for its historical associations, its environmental significance and its architectural design.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery is associated with the early development of aquaculture by the federal government which had begun at Miramichi in 1873-74 as a response to depleted fish stocks. The Hatchery is associated with the stimulation of the economically important local sports and commercial fishery.

As a functioning hatchery, the building retains its relationship to the adjacent river which supplies the hatchery's water. The original park-like character of the setting has also been enhanced by the groomed landscaping and by the siting of the new exterior fish ponds and raceways. The Hatchery is the most prominent of the small cluster of buildings which surround it, and it has established the proportions and stylistic theme which the more recent buildings have followed.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery is a good example of the Classical Revival style of architecture popular in government buildings in the early 20th century. It presents a well ordered symmetrical facade, whose classically derived detailing belies the buildings utilitarian function. Later additions have respected the symmetrical intent of the facade and maintained a unified appearance.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage value of the Miramichi Fish Hatchery resides in the formal quality of its architectural design and in its contribution to its environment.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery is a one-storey wood structure whose symmetrical facade is highlighted by gabled dormer windows on the hip roof ends, and by the even placement of windows on either side of the main entry portico. The formal appearance established by this symmetry, typical of the Classical Revival style, is strengthened by the horizontal wood siding and the building's black and white colour scheme. The multipaned wood windows and squared columns of the entry are also important elements to the composition of the facade. The on-going maintenance of these defining elements should be assured, and any alteration that would compromise the building's symmetry should be avoided.

The building's open interior is utilitarian in design and retains the early modest decorative treatment of v-grooved wainscoting and modest boxed window trim. The careful maintenance of these wood elements in the hatchery's humid environment should be assured.

The immediate setting of the Miramichi Fish Hatchery is functional in its layout of the exterior fish ponds, yet, in keeping with its public-education role, it also displays a park like quality with its well-groomed landscaping. The design of the newer adjacent buildings has respected the massing and proportions of the Fish Hatchery. These buildings are similarly painted in black and white, creating a cohesive grouping. Any alterations to the main hatchery building or to the site which detract from the building's character should be avoided.