Description of Historic Place

The Fraser School House is located in New Edinburgh, an easterly neighbourhood of Ottawa. The small one-and-a-half storey building consists of two semi-detached residences with a gable roof with two dormer windows and gable-end chimneys. The walls are of rubble masonry, and the principal façade features centrally placed twin entrances with flanking windows. The construction date of 1837 is inscribed in the stonework above the front entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Fraser School House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Fraser School House is associated with the founding and early development of New Edinburgh, a ward of early Ottawa, and with education and schooling during this early period. It is also one of the oldest surviving buildings in New Edinburgh. Between 1838 and 1843, it served as the first school in the village and also as a residence for James Fraser, the first teacher. Thomas McKay, the building’s first owner, was a prominent contractor and founder of New Edinburgh.

Architectural Value:
The Fraser School House is valued for its good aesthetics. It is a surviving example of vernacular working-class housing dating to the founding of New Edinburgh. Its good, functional double house design facilitated its early, dual role as combined school and residence. Very good craftsmanship and materials are evidenced in the masonry.

Environmental Value:
The Fraser School House is compatible with the character of the neighbourhood and is a familiar landmark to local inhabitants and pedestrians.

Sources:
James de Jonge, Fraser School House, 62 John Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 87-076; Fraser School House, 62 John Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 87-076.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Fraser School House should be respected.

Its good aesthetic design, good functional design, and materials, for example: the low, one-and-a-half storey massing of the double residence with a gable roof; the rubble masonry exterior walls; the symmetrical principal façade with centrally-placed twin entrances and matching windows, and the symmetrically organized rear and side elevations; the two dormer windows, the gable-end chimneys, and the date ‘1837’ that is inscribed in the stonework above the front entrance; the double-hung sash windows with six lights over six lights on the principal façade, and dormer windows; the cedar shingle roof cladding.

The manner in which the Fraser School House is compatible with the park-like character of its streetscape setting in the New Edinburgh area of Ottawa, and is a landmark as evidenced by: its scale, design and materials that complement the historic and official residences and government buildings on its streetscape and in its park-like surroundings; its location opposite the French Embassy and the Prime Minister’s residence, which make it a familiar landmark to visitors, passing pedestrians, and local residents.

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 Fraser School House is believed to have been constructed in 1837 and Thomas McKay apparently was responsible for its erection. The Fraser School House is one of the oldest surviving buildings in New Edinburgh, now a ward of Ottawa. Designed as a double house, it is alleged to have served as the first school in the village between 1838 and 1843. The custodial department is the National Capital Commission. See FHBRO Building Report 87-76.


Reason for Designation

The Fraser School House has been designated a Recognized heritage building because of its strong historical associations with the founding and early development of New Edinburgh, because it is a good surviving example of working-class housing dating to the founding of New Edinburgh and, finally, because it is a distinctive heritage landmark valued by the community.


Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of this property resides in the massing of the building, its form, balanced proportions and in its simple rubble masonry devoid of architectural embellishment. The building has been much altered over the years. It is important that whatever is left of the original design intent and original fabric be preserved.

Preferably, any Any new interior modifications should evoke, in a contemporary manner, the documented original layout.