Description of Historic Place

The Woodworking Shop, part of Chambly Canal National Historic Site of Canada, is located at a workshop complex adjacent to the Chambly Canal system. It is a large, wood clad service building with gable and mansard roofs, dormer windows, two brick chimneys and a tall, industrial chimney stack. Large, multi-pane, wood sash windows are regularly arranged on the façades. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Woodworking Shop is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Woodworking Shop is associated with the Chambly Canal system. It is associated with the operations of the canal and has a specific function as the service area that maintained canal equipment. The building illustrates local development in the area, as it was a source of seasonal employment for the regional population.

Architectural Value
The Woodworking Shop is valued for its good aesthetic qualities. The exterior of the building is marked by a dichotomy of style, expressive of the structure’s evolution. Demonstrating very good functional design, its form speaks to the transitory nature of many of the activities accommodated on the premises, while attesting to its permanent workshop function. Good craftsmanship is evident in the diversity of construction techniques and materials, as well as in the exterior and interior details.

Environmental Value
The Woodworking Shop reinforces the industrial character of its workshop complex setting at Chambly Canal and is a local landmark.

Sources: Normand Lafrenière et André Sevigny avec la collaboration d’Yvan Fortier, Ateliers de menuiserie, canal de Chambly, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Report, 89-005; Woodworking Shop, Chambly Canal, Chambly, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 89-005.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Woodworking Shop should be respected.

Its good aesthetic and very good functional design, and good craftsmanship and materials, as evidenced by; the massing, which consists of six attached sections; the gable roofs and the mansard roof with dormers, and the two brick chimneys and large, industrial chimney stack; the exterior form of the building, which speaks to the transitory nature of many of the activities it accommodated and its workshop function; the wood frame construction; the variety of exterior finishes and materials that vary with the different sections and that are utilitarian in nature, including the diagonal wood sheathing; the regular arrangement of the two rows of 24 wood sash windows and the door openings, including the double, battened door and hardware; the interior spaces and bearing walls of the individual sections composing the building; the variety of interior finishes, including the heavy plank flooring located on the second floor.

The manner in which the Woodworking Shop reinforces the industrial character of its workshop complex setting at the Chambly Canal National Historic Site of Canada and is a local landmark, as evidenced by: its overall scale, massing design and materials that harmonize with its workshop surroundings and maintain a relationship with its adjacent wood service buildings and
the canal; its visibility due to its large scale and location adjacent to the canal; its familiarity due to its historic role as a source of employment for the local community.

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 woodworking shop consists of six buildings built between 1883 and the early 1960s. Except for two sections which were built by the Department of Transport, all of the buildings were built by the Department of Railways and Canals. The buildings are presently owned by Environment Canada and are administered by the Canadian Parks Service. See FHBRO Building Report No. 89-05.

Reason for Designation

The woodworking shop was designated Recognized because of its architectural significance as a service building and because it establishes the historic character of the workshop complex which services the Chambly Canal system.

The workshop function related to the operation of the Chambly Canal is entrenched in this particular site. It was traditionally a source of seasonal employment for the regional population and as a result, the complex is a familiar local landmark.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the woodworking shop resides in its composite form in its distinctive internal configuration.

The exterior of the building is marked by a dichotomy of style, expressive of the structure's evolution. Its form speaks to the transitory nature of many of the activities accommodated on the premises, while attesting to the permanence of the workshop function. It is important that the inherent diversity of construction techniques, of construction materials, and of architectural detailing be maintained.

The spaces on the interior are defined by the bearing walls of the individual sections composing the building. This basic configuration should be retained; any requirements for further subdivision should be met in a reversible manner.
As is the case on the exterior, interior finishes and materials vary with the different sections, and all are utilitarian in nature. Any attempt to homogenize, or beautify, the appearance of the interior should be resisted.

The west wall of the 1883 section briefly served as an exterior wall, prior to the construction of the adjoining annexe. It is particularly significant because it has survived intact and contains valuable historic elements namely, a 24 over 24 sash window, diagonal wood sheathing, and a double, battened door which is replete with period hardware. Another noteworthy feature is the heavy plank flooring located on the second floor.

Consideration should be given to lowering the grade, providing positive drainage away from the building, and introducing a landscape treatment which would dissipate the runoff from the roof. These measures would favour the preservation of the base of the structure.

A small grouping of older, wood service buildings still stands at the east end of the property. Their presence acts as a foil to the modern influences on the site and enhances the heritage character of the workshop complex.