Building 18 - Blair House Traditional Cache

Building 18 - Blair House

Located at the Kentville Research Station, Building 18, also known as Blair House, is a prominent, white, two-storey, wood house with a hipped roof featuring large dormer windows on three sides. A typical foursquare house design, its main block is of cubic form and the symmetrical main façade includes the central entrance. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Historical Value

Building 18 is associated with Canada’s Experimental Farm system, which began in 1886 as a response to the country’s expanding agricultural needs. The house was constructed as a superintendent’s residence for Dr. W Saxby Blair, an outstanding horticulturalist and director of the station from 1912 to 1938. Blair landscaped the front of the station and encouraged the development of its park-like character. The Kentville Research Station is directly linked to the economic heart of the Annapolis Valley and has had a positive impact on the apple growing industry.

Architectural Value

Building 18 is a good example of a typical early 20th century foursquare house. The standard features of this type of house include the cubic form, symmetrical massing and the hipped roof with large dormers. It displays very good functional design as evidenced by its successful adaptation from a residence to a museum and is of good quality craftsmanship with well-executed exterior and interior woodwork.

There is ample parking and while there enjoy the historical gardens.