129 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada.
Other Name(s)
R. Hopkins House (and other owners)
Links and Documents
Construction Date(s)
1874 (an earlier date of 1850 listed on the Historic Town Evaluation seems unlikely)
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
129 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal, N.S., was built as a residence by a Mr. R. Hopkins in 1874. Although sometimes dated to 1850 and allied with the Classic or Greek Revival style, it is better defined as vernacular: the well-proportioned but simply constructed and articulated building common to regional residential practice. The original building materials have, moreover, been extensively altered, including broad dimension horizontal sheathing, modern windows plus the addition of a small entrance on the north-west side.Yet the Hopkins House is the last remaining of three historically interesting structures built on this site, adjoining the former Ferry Slip[way] and near the former Delaps Shipyard, close to the point at which lower St. George Street turned into “Cow Lane” (also known as “The Alley”. The oldest of the three structures erected prior to the Hopkins House were the home of the notary Jean Chrysostome Loppinot, Jean-Francois Flan and the celebrated Madame de Freneuse (respectively identified as ‘O’, ‘P’ and ‘Q’ on de Labat’s 1707 map of Port Royal). The site subsequently became the location for social and commercial activity associated with later British settler community. On the south section was constructed in circa 1797 the Harris Hall store, thereafter converted for use by Western Star Lodge of the Order of Oddfellows and then as the Masonic Lodge (or Hall). On the north side of the property once stood the residence of James and Jane Roach and their son William H. Roach, well-known figures in local history.
Heritage Value
The heritage value resides primarily in the historical associations of the site, the present building, while architecturally pleasing, having been much altered materially.Historic Value
The historic value of the Hopkins House, as denoted by its municipal designation, derives chiefly from the history of construction of the site. The three now demolished properties were owned by those individuals or social groups that contributed significantly to the predominantly French then British settler communities. The present building enjoys spectacular views down the Annapolis Basin and toward the Annapolis River.
Architectural Value
The Hopkins House has been described as belonging to the Classic or Greek Revival style. Apart from the cornices on the roof rakes on the main front to St. George Street, the proportioning of the structure is not classical; nor does the articulation copy Revival detailing, abundantly available through pattern books. Rather it is best classed as regional vernacular. Indeed, its date of construction coincides with the advent of the various iterations of the Italianate or Renaissance Revival, of which there is no aesthetic influence. In addition, the building materials have been extensively altered, so that even the flat lintels are in company with the windows these span, quite modern. Nonetheless, the house is pleasant in appearance and superbly sited.
Source: Heritage Property Files, MAP#224 – 129 St. George Street, Town Hall, Annapolis Royal.
Character-defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the House Hopkins are more general than specific but include:superb location looking west and east over the Annapolis Basin,
well-proportioned structure,
cornices on the raking or sloping sides of the single pitch roof,
simple flat lintels to the windows and doors.
Designation Authority
Municipal
Statute
Heritage Property Act
Type
Municipally registered property
Date
1982/05/21 ((?))
Recognition
Historical Information
Function - Category and Type
