Description of Historic Place

The two-and-a-half storey Prime Minister’s Cottage, also known as the Prime Minister’s Summer Residence, stands alone in the midst of a large lawn at the south-west end of Harrington Lake where it enjoys a magnificent view of the lake and the hills beyond. It is a hip-roofed, clapboard structure, with a large addition and two prominent stone chimneys that are located on the side walls of the main section of the house. The front façade features a central gable, flanked by two smaller gables and a central, enclosed sun porch that supports the second level verandah. Dormer windows are featured on all but the principal façade. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Prime Minister’s Cottage is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Prime Minister’s Cottage is associated with the theme of the summer cottage, which is an integrated part of Canada’s social history. The building is closely associated with Senator W.C. Edwards and his nephew, C.M. Edwards, both of whom played prominent roles in the economic and social development of the Ottawa region. In 1911, W.C. Edwards, an important lumber baron, began to acquire land property in the Harrington Lake area. On his death, the property went to his nephew, C.M. Edwards, who built his summer house there. Since 1959, the estate has been the country retreat of six Prime Ministers of Canada.

Architectural Value
The Prime Minister’s Cottage is valued for its good aesthetic and functional design. The design is representative of cottage architecture of the 1920s. Stone fireplaces and open verandahs were typical of the informal character of cottage design of the period. When it was constructed, it shared a casual, rustic impression with many other cottages, such as the O’Brien House on nearby Meech Lake. Also notable for its period of construction are the wood and stone materials and the good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
The Prime Minister’s Cottage reinforces the picturesque character of its country estate setting and is a symbol of the Prime Minister’s Office within the region.

Sources: Sally Coutts, Prime Minister’s Summer House, Harrington Lake, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 85-040; Prime Minister’s Cottage, Harrington Lake, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 85-040.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Prime Minister’s Cottage should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and functional design, and good craftsmanship and materials, as for example: the two-and-a-half storey massing with a large addition; the hipped roof with a central gable flanked by two smaller gables, and the dormer windows that are featured on all but the principal façade; the wood-frame construction clad in clapboard; the two stone chimneys located on the sides of the main house; the front, enclosed sun porch and upper level verandah; the multi-pane wood sash windows with wood shutters; the interior layout and features, such as the stone fireplaces.

The manner in which the Prime Minister’s Cottage reinforces the present picturesque character of its country estate setting and is a symbol in the region, as evidenced by: its overall scale, massing, design and materials that harmonize with its landscaped and natural surroundings at Harrington Lake; its well-known role as the summer residence of the Prime Minister of Canada, which makes it a symbol of this office in the region.

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 Prime Minister's summer house was built in 1925 by Ottawa lumber baron Colonel Cameron Macpherson Edwards. A two-and-a-half storey wood frame building, sheated in clapboard, its rambling design, rustic stone fireplaces and open verandahs were typical of the informal character of cottage design of the period. The building earns its FHBRO designation due to its association with six Prime Ministers of Canada which also accounts for its significant symbolic value because the media has given it a high profile.

HISTORY
The Harrington Lake estate was closely connected with Senator W.C. Edwards and his nephew, C.M. Edwards, both of whom played a prominent role in the economic and social development of the Ottawa region. Since 1959 it has been the country retreat of six Prime Ministers of Canada. Although restricted to a small group of middle and upper class Canadians, the them of "going to the cottage", with which this building is associated, is an integrated part of Canada's social history.

ARCHITECTURE
Recent changes have undermined the original rustic appeal of the cottage. When it was constructed, it shared a casual, rustic impression with many other cottages, such as the O'Brien House on nearby Meech Lake, that stated clearly "This is a country house". Two stone chimneys were a prominent feature that added to the house's rustic appeal. Two porches flanked the sun-room. These identical porches had a low balustrade and canvas awnings. Three stairs lead down to the front lawn. With its current colour (white with green trim), it now creates an impression of 1950's suburban development rather than 1920's rusticity.

ENVIRONMENT
It is picturesquely situated at the south-west end of Harrington Lake, commanding a magnificent view of the lake and the hills beyond. It stands alone in the midst of a large lawn. Although its relationship with its immediate surroundings has changed, the building still plays the same role in the landscape as it did when it was constructed. Despite the fact that the building will never be seen directly by the vast majority of Canadians, it is and will remain a conspicuous symbol of the Prime Minister's Office.