MacPhee House facts for kids
The MacPhee House is a special building in Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia. It used to be a hotel, but now it's a helpful visitor information centre. This historic building is recognized on the Canadian Register of Historic Places because it's an important part of the area's history. Wendy MacKenzie, who leads the Sheet Harbour Heritage Society, helps take care of it today.
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What is the MacPhee House?
The MacPhee House is a unique building that has seen many changes over the years. It helps people learn about the history of Sheet Harbour and guides visitors to fun places.
The House's Early Days
This interesting house was built around 1875. It started as a 1½-story home in the middle of Sheet Harbour. It sat on a piece of land about half an acre in size.
Becoming a Hotel
In 1911, a two-story addition was built onto the side of the house. This was done to make room for more guests because the building was then used as a hotel. It continued to welcome visitors as a hotel until at least 1964.
Architectural Style of the MacPhee House
The MacPhee House has some cool architectural features. The front wall, called a gable wall, has a special design known as an open pediment. This style is part of what's called Greek revival architecture, which was popular a long time ago. Old photos of the hotel show a wide, open porch, or verandah, with fancy decorative patterns.
A New Home for a Historic Building
Sadly, a fire partly damaged the hotel's addition. Instead of tearing down this important building, the Government of Nova Scotia bought it in 1985. They carefully moved it to its current spot near the West River Bridge. This land used to belong to a company called Scott Paper Company.
MacPhee House Today
Today, the MacPhee House is a busy place. It works as a Visitor Information Centre, where people can get maps and tips for exploring the area. It also has an interpretive centre inside. This means you can learn all about the history of Sheet Harbour and the people who lived there. The house is located in a lovely park area, which connects to beautiful nature trails. It's a great place to start an adventure in Sheet Harbour!
