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The original building was designed
by Matthew Stead who was a prominent architect in New Brunswick along with the
contractors Otis Small and H.B. Crosby. The other wings that were built in 1861
and 1870 were designed by another prominent architect from New Brunswick, John
A. Munro. The building(s) were designed in the Italianate Style modelled on
rural villas and farmhouses of Italy. Some of the notable features of the
building are the "square proportioned massing with flanking wings, broad
overhanging eaves, arched windows and cupolas."
The majority of the building(s) are done in brick, with some stone trimmings
to give contrast. The roof was done in slate with a wood cornice. In Dr. John
Waddell's, Medical Superintendent, 1874 annual report he noted that by that
time the building(s) consisted of...
"...one large centre structure-three stories surmounted by a
cupola-with four three story wings, making an east front of three hundred feet,
and a south front of one hundred and fifty feet, and a north front of one
hundred and fifty feet. In the centre and connected with the main building
running back in the rear, there is a building, part of which is three stories,
part two, and part one story. This includes the washing department and room for
the boilers in the basement, the kitchen and pantries on the first floor, and
the Chapel on the second floor. This centre structure divides the open area in
the rear into two quadrangular court yards, and connected with which are airing
enclosures for the patients, partly covered and partly floored.
The view from the main front eastward command the river below the Suspension Bridge, the harbour, and the City. That to the south the Bay of Fundy, and, in clear weather, the coast of Nova Scotia; and to the north the river, with its rapids, Suspension Bridge, etc.; and the whole is a combination probably not surpassed in variety and beauty by any landscape in America.
The whole expense of the building and out-building, including land and fences, was about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
The institution will accommodate about two hundred patients comfortably, one hundred of each sex."
from the Evaluation of Historic Buildings by Harold Kalman.
1. Style: It is a notable, rare and early example of the Italianate style
2. Construction: It is a notable example of the use of brick and stone with wood cornice and slate roof built by prominent contractors;
3. Age: At over 150 years old it is comparatively old in the context of southern New Brunswick and dated from the same era as the 1828-1830 Courthouse and 1840 Engine House #2 on Sydney Street (King's Square). By virtue of being the 1st of its kind in British North America, it is also the oldest.
4. Architect(s): It was designed by prominent New Brunswick architects Matthew Stead and John A. Munro;
5. Design: It is a particularly attractive building taking full advantage of its site and because of the excellence of its design, composition, craftsmanship and resolution of it detailing;
6. Interior: Is in many areas original finishes on walls and fine pressed metal ceilings.
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Brunswick Community College - Saint John.