Description of Historic Place
The Pascal Poirier House consists of a traditional 19th Century vernacular one and a half storey gabled house and property located at 399 Main Street in the Town of Shediac.
Heritage Value
The Pascal Poirier House was the birthplace and home of Pascal Poirier (1852 -1933), a prominent Acadian leader and author who became the first Acadian to be appointed as a Canadian senator.
After completion of his studies at the Collège Saint-Joseph in Memramcook, Pascal Poirier was appointed postmaster of the Dominion parliament in 1872. He held this position until his appointment to the Canadian Senate on March 9, 1885. In 1933, at the time of his death, he was the eldest Senator.
The building is an example of an Acadian house which dates to circa 1825. It is purported to be the oldest house in Town of Shediac.
Source: Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport, Heritage Branch, Site File.
Character-Defining Elements
- front grounds along Main Street with grassed area, walkway and driveway;
- Early 19th century house with hand-hewn structure;
- Late 19th century exterior finishes including verandah along the front and west end of house, with glassed-in entrance porch;
- Early 19th century front entrance with sidelights and transom;
- Original 19th century glass in all windows;
- Mid 19th century wide corner boards a neo-classical element
- Traditional centre hall plan, with a back ell;
- Plaster cornice and centre medallion of front west room;
- low interior doors and door openings.