9-11 Church Street

9-11 Church Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, B0S 1A0, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1982/08/24

Other Name(s)
9-11 Church Street
Ye Old Towne Pub

Links and Documents

• Historic Places website

Construction Date(s)
1884/01/01 to 1884/12/31

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2006/01/14

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

9-11 Church Street, Annapolis Royal, N.S., also known as Ye Olde Towne Pub, is a two-storey building of brick construction. It is sited within the historic commercial district of Annapolis Royal and was constructed in 1884 and within close proximity of the waterfront. The municipal designation includes the building and surrounding property.

Heritage Value

Historic Value:

The historic value of 9-11 Church Street, as recognized in its municipal designation, is found in its association with the commercial history of Annapolis Royal. The building was erected in 1884 by John B. Mills, a Member of Parliament, and it housed the Bank of Nova Scotia and law offices. It was constructed in what was then one of the busiest areas of town, facing the busy railway yards and public wharf, and beside the post office and customs house. Because of the many fires which ravaged the business district of the town, there are few commercial buildings of this age. After the bank moved to larger quarters, the building continued to be used for commercial purposes. The liquor commission operated there from 1930 to 1966. Thereafter, a bakery was operated there by Greg Kerr, later Member of the Legislative Assembly and Minister of Finance in the Nova Scotia Government. The building stood empty for a number of years, being used intermittently as a bookstore and a youth hostel. The rejuvenation of the town, beginning in the early 1980s, gave new life to this part of town and to this building.

Architectural Value:

The architectural significance of 9-11 Church Street is found in its Italianate form. The brick, flat roof building displays some Italianate features, in a simplified form, common to many commercial buildings of this era. Unlike many of the Italianate commercial buildings in larger centres, this one is of two storeys. The front façade has symmetrically placed doors and windows. The doorways and windows on the first floor are round-arched with hooded mouldings, and are separated by brick pilasters. The windows on the second storey, while rectangular, have slightly arched hooded mouldings. The front façade has been altered only slightly since its construction, with the exception of seasonal porches which are added for the winter.

Source: Heritage Property Files, Map #191, 9-11 Church Street, Town Hall, Town of Annapolis Royal.

Character-defining Elements

Character-defining elements of 9-11 Church Street relate to its Italianate architecture and include:

- symmetrical façade, oversize cornice and round-arched windows and doorways with hooded mouldings;
- two storeys;
- brick construction;
- stone carved with the date of construction high on the front façade;
- location facing the busy town market and adjacent to the imposing former post office;
- proximity to street.

Recognition

Jurisdiction
Nova Scotia

Recognition Authority
Local Governments (NS)

Recognition Statute
Heritage Property Act

Recognition Type
Municipally Registered Property

Recognition Date
1982/08/24

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)
N/A

Theme - Category and Type
Developing Economies
Trade and Commerce
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current
Developing Economies
Trade and Commerce
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Historic
Commerce / Commercial Services
Office or Office Building

Architect / Designer
N/A

Builder
John B. Mills

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation
Heritage Property Files, Town Hall, 285 St.George Street, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

FED/PROV/TERR Identifier
02MNS2156