Description of Historic Place

Building 42, also known as the Former Expense Magazine, is located on the ramparts of the Dalhousie Bastion above the casemates and is partially sunk within the ramparts across the line of the parapet of the Québec Citadel National Historic Site of Canada. Not easily visible, it is a small, rectangular, one-storey building built of masonry with a low, sloping copper roof that slopes gently down to the back. It is constructed of regular coursed limestone with an arched entry door. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Building 42 is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
Building 42 is associated with the defense of British North America during the final years of construction of the Citadelle (1839 -1857) against the threat posed by the United States. The building was used to store a small quantity of ammunition gunpowder for immediate use. It is also part of the historic district of Old-Québec, which was created in 1963 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Architectural Value
Building 42 is valued for its good aesthetics. It is a utilitarian military building of austere appearance. Well integrated into the other works of the citadel, it enhanced the defense of the fortress. Good functional qualities are evidenced in its simple design. The stonework and copper roof display good craftsmanship.

Environmental Value
Building 42 reinforces the historic character of its military site within the Citadelle 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, Québec, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 88-16; Former Expense Magazine, Building No. 42, Cote de la Citadelle, City of Québec, Québec, Heritage Character Statement 88-161.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Building 42 should be respected.

Its good aesthetics, functional design and quality materials, for example: the one-storey massing, and the gently sloping roof covered in sheet copper; the solid construction of the limestone walls of regularly and irregularly coursed stone; the one arched door; the one vaulted room with stairwell access; the interior’s brick walls, stone vaults and bare floor.

The manner in which Building 42 and adjacent buildings reinforce 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 defense system; the structure’s 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 Expense Magazine (Building No. 42) was built between 1841 and 1855 from plans drawn up by the Royal Engineers. It was used to store a small quantity of ammunition and gunpowder for immediate use. The former Expense Magazine does not appear to have been altered over the years and is currently unused. Building No. 42 is located on the ramparts of Dalhousie Bastion above the Casemates. It is part 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

Building No. 42 was designated a “Recognized” Federal Heritage Building because of its architectural and environmental value.

The former Expense Magazine is a small, one-storey masonry building with a roof that slopes gently down toward the back. Apart from the voussoirs of its unique door, its appearance is purely functional. Due to its materials, the former Expense Magazine is fully compatible with other Citadelle buildings.

The site of the former Expense Magazine has changed very little over the years. From a military standpoint, it can be said that this small building was well integrated into the other works at the Citadelle and enhanced the defence of the fortress, the Dalhousie Bastion in particular.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of Building No. 42 lies in its architectural form, its building materials and construction techniques, and its strategic placement.

The former Expense Magazine is a small, one-storey masonry building built on a rectangular plan and topped with a low-slope copper roof. The front walls of the building are covered with smooth limestone laid in regular courses. At the back, the stones have a more rustic surface and the coursing is irregular. This building is not very visible, as it partly blends into the ramparts. The only entrance, which is under a circular arch marked by stone voussoirs, fails to make one forget the building’s functional nature.

Using the former Expense Magazine for a purpose other than its original purpose should not jeopardize these formal characteristics. It is recommended that an ongoing maintenance program be established to ensure the longevity of remaining period materials. The door and door hardware should be based on originals in order to preserve the historical coherence of materials. It is equally important to ensure new replacement joints and stones blend seamlessly into the historical texture of the building and that they be compatible with the original spirit in terms of material, colour, profile and coursing.

The former Expense Magazine had one vaulted room, which was accessed by a stairwell that was also vaulted. The floor and the stone vaults were left bare, as were the brick walls. These architectural characteristics, which are an integral part of the original design, should be preserved. Any restoration of this building should respect the spare, functional appearance that presently exists. To improve air quality inside the building, the original ventilation holes that were later blocked-up could be reinstated.

This small utilitarian building was used to serve a very specific part of the Citadelle. Its heritage value thus lies to a large extent in its relationship with the site and the Casemates of the Richmond Bastion. For that reason, this part of the fortress should be altered as little as possible.

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

2001.08.27