Description of Historic Place

The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is situated on a rise that overlooks the Rideau Canal and the area around Chaffey’s Lockstation. It is a two storey, cube-shaped building with a pyramidal-shaped roof and symmetrical front and rear façades. A rough-faced stone ground floor contrasts with a weatherboard faced upper floor. The main entrance consists of a stone porch with a second floor balcony. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is a very good example of a building associated with the construction and operation of the Rideau Canal which illustrates the theme of military defence for the Canadas in the second quarter of the 19th century and the evolution and transformation of the waterway as a federal public work. It is one of the last defensible lockmaster's houses to be built and exemplifies the change in the role of the Rideau Canal from a military function to that of transportation. Currently, the house is a locally operated museum interpreting the historic role of the canal in the area.

Architectural Value:
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is valued for its good aesthetic design characteristic of a late 19th century residence. The house retains elements of its original military form as well as those added features. Good functional design is evidenced in the interior layout. Good craftsmanship can be seen in the ground floor stonework. The regularly coursed stone masonry of the lower storey and defensible porch represent the craftsmanship of the Royal Engineers.

Environmental Value:
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House reinforces the historic character of its park-like setting at Chaffey’s Lockstation and is a familiar landmark to local residents and to visitors.


Sources:
James De Jonge, Fifteen buildings, Southern Area, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Reports 89-155, 89-156, 89-157, 89-158,89-159, and 89-160

Defensible Lockmaster’s House, Chaffey’s Lockstation, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 89-158

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Defensible Lockmaster’s House should be respected, for example:

Its very good aesthetic, good functional design and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example:
The two-storey massing; The pyramidal roof, and the chimney; The exterior walls, the ground floor constructed of rough-faced masonry blocks, and the frame second floor clad in weatherboard; The placement of the windows and doors; The interior configuration.

The manner in which the Defensible Lockmaster’s House reinforces the historic character of its park-like setting at Chaffey’s Lockstation and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by:
Its overall scale, design and materials which harmonize with the green spaces around at the lock station; Its visibility due to its prominent location adjacent to the canal, which makes it a local landmark; Its role as a historic museum which makes it well-known in the area.

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 Lockmaster's House at Chaffeys Lockstation was built between 1844 and 1848 as one of the last of the defensible dwellings on the canal. In 1895, a second storey was added, and the interior layout was modified. Prior to the 1930s, two frame extensions were built, but these were demolished in 1964. The current frame addition on the north side was built by the Canadian Parks Service in 1970. Environment Canada Parks Service, is the custodial department. See FHBRO Building Report 89-158.

Reason for Designation

The Defensible Lockmaster's House at Chaffeys Lockstation was designated Recognized because of its historical associations, aesthetic design and craftsmanship, and its environment.

As one of the last defensible lockmaster's houses to be built, this residence exemplifies the change in the role of the Rideau Canal from a military function to that of transportation. The lockstation was the focus for settlement in the 19th century, while at the turn of the century, it became the centre of resort development. Currently, the house is a locally operated museum interpreting the historic role of the canal in the area.

The house retains elements of its original military form as well as those added features characteristic of a late 19th century residence. The park-like setting of the house is in keeping with the resort era at the turn of the century. The house retains its historic orientation to the site.

Character Defining Elements

The Chaffeys Lockmaster's House is a two-storey pyramidal-roof structure, with symmetrical front and rear facades. The integration of the first and second storeys is superior to other examples of similarly modified lockmaster's houses. The addition of a second-storey balcony to the original defensible porch creates a strong central focus on the entrance facade. Careful placement of the upper storey sash windows above those of the lower reinforces the symmetry. The interior layout survives unmodified from the late 19th century.

The regularly coursed stone masonry of the lower storey and defensible porch represent the competent craftsmanship of the Royal Engineers. The original fabric should be retained and the frame second storey addition should be respected. Inspection and maintenance of these materials on a regular schedule is recommended.

The building is situated on a rise above the canal, retaining its original orientation to the site. The current landscape derives from the resort era, rather than the military period, and is in keeping with both the residential nature of the design and the current museum function. It would be appropriate to retain the environment in its present form.