Description of Historic Place

Building 32, also known as the Former Defensive Guard House, is located at the eastern end of the north main ditch below the King’s Bastion at the Québec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada. It is a small, squat, one storey masonry building with a gable roof supported by wood rafters. A chimney rises through the roof, which is covered in painted tin sheeting. The imposing walls of the Citadel flank the Guard House. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 32 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Building 32 is associated with the defense of British North America during the final years of construction of the Citadel (1839 -1857) against the threat posed by the United States. The role of Building 32 was to maintain visual contact with the battery of carronades below. It is also associated with the restoration of the Citadel carried out during the Depression to provide work for homeless single men. Building 32 is also part of the historic district of Old Québec, which was created in 1963, and later declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Architectural Value
Valued for its very good aesthetics, Building 32 is constructed on the principals of English military classicism. Its solid masonry walls are clearly defensive while its good functional qualities can be seen in its simple utilitarian design. The stonework and the brickwork of the vaulted ceilings display good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
Building 32 reinforces the historic character of its military site within the Citadel of Québec, and together with the associated adjacent buildings is a well-known local landmark.

Sources: Rhona Goodspeed, Reports 88-161, 90-312, 90-313, 90-314, 90-315, Buildings, Citadel, Quebec, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-161; The Former Defensive Guard House (No.32), Cote de la Citadelle, City of
Quebec, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 88-161.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 32 should be respected.

Its very good aesthetics, functional design and quality materials, for example: the single-storey irregular massing, the gable roof with tin covered chimney; the symmetrical façade with a door flanked by two windows; the solid masonry construction and supporting wooden roof rafters; the solid side walls pierced by loopholes, and the curved rear walls; the plain interior with exposed stone block walls and wooden floors and roof timbers.

The manner in which Building 32 and adjacent buildings are compatible with the historic character of the fortress setting, and is a familiar regional landmark, as evidenced by: the design and form, which complement the location in Québec’s old defense system; the structure’s high visibility and ongoing relationship to nearby defense works.

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 former Defensive Guard House was built in 1850 from plans attributed to the Royal Engineers. Between 1932 and 1935, the building and the adjacent walls were reconstructed. The former Defensive Guard House is currently being used for storage. Building No. 32 is located at the eastern end of the north main ditch below the King’s Bastion. It is a component of the Citadelle of the city of Québec, a national historic site. The building is owned by the Department of National Defence. Refer to FHBRO report 88-161.

Reasons for Designation

The former Defensive Guard House was designated a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its historical, architectural and environmental significance.

Building No. 32 is associated with the defence of British North America during the final years of construction of the Citadelle (1839-1857) against the threat posed by the United States. It is also associated with the restoration of the Citadelle carried out during the Depression to provide work for homeless single men.

The role of the Defensive Guard House was to maintain visual contact with the battery of carronades below. The walls were pierced with loopholes that extended along each side giving the impression that the Guard House was an integral part of the fortress. Its fine state of preservation is attributable to the quality of the original design, the use of quality materials and appropriate building techniques, continuous maintenance and, without doubt, the restoration of the 1930s.

The former Defensive Guard House is flanked by the imposing walls of the Citadelle, including the counterscarp and the imposing wall of the King’s Bastion. Through its materials and functions, it enhances the military character of this part of the Citadelle.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of Building No. 32 lies in its specific massing, the choice of materials and its strategic location inextricably linked to the role the Defensive Guard House played in the history of the Citadelle.

The Defensive Guard House is a small, squat, one-storey masonry building with a gable roof supported by wood rafters. A chimney rises through the roof, which is covered in painted tin metal sheeting, also known as “tôle à la canadienne”. Its massing is irregular but symmetrical. The façade, also symmetrical, has a door with a window on either side. The rear walls, which join in a curve, are thicker. It should be noted that the original loopholes and openings that once pierced these walls have been filled in. The sides of the building, which extend to the outer wall, also have loopholes.

All of these characteristics should be preserved. To ensure the longevity of the components of this building, it is recommended that an ongoing maintenance program be established. Replacement joints and stones should be similar to period materials in composition, shape, texture and coursing. All metal components should be corrosion treated. To convey the primary function of the building, the openings that permitted artillery fire should be reopened. In the interest of historical accuracy, new doors and windows that are more compatible with original versions of these elements should be considered.

The interior of Building No. 32 is very plain, consisting of exposed stone block walls and wood floors and roof timbers. Any restoration of the building should seek to preserve the rudimentary appearance of the space. It would be of interest to recreate the small wood doors (with appropriate iron hardware) that were once located in front of the angled loopholes that allowed firing toward the bottom of the cliff. The original plans called for one bed per guard; it would be appropriate to preserve, if possible, traces of this occupancy.

The heritage value of the former Defensive Guard House lies in its close relationship with its setting and the other defensive works nearby. It is therefore important to minimize interventions in the immediate area and consolidate the masonry walls adjacent to the building with the same respect for historical materials as is recommended for the building.

For guidance on interventions, please refer to the FHBRO Code of Practice.

2001.08.27