Bouvrette House

The Salvation of an Ascension

At the turn of the last century, this home was separated into apartments. In doing so, the staircase banister was lost to time. A few antique spindles were purchased from an Architectural Antique Store, from which copies where crafted. A beautiful main newel post was also purchase, but was too small for the design. An enlarged copy was crafted and the staircase rose to new heights. Yet that was only the first step. Also lost in the early conversion were the bottom two winding treads (wedge shaped steps), which were re-created. Behind the drywall of the sloped ceiling, horizontal tongue and groove bead boards were revealed and restored to the light of day. To top it all off, first floor vertical tongue and groove board where milled to match replacing a missing four foot section.

Joseph Bourque, an early Hull builder who also built Taché House at 170 Champlain street in 1901-1902, created this Beaux-Arts Italianate style home around 1908 and sold it to Albert Bouvrette, a Hull teacher, in November 1910. When Albert passed away in April, 1920 it was pass on to his wife Exudoxia Desrosiers (who married in 1903) and children Sylvio, Cecilia, Jacque, Joan, John and Paul. Both daughters entered the religion. When his wife passed away in July 1939 his son Sylvio inherited the home and lived there till November 1968.

When the current owners converted the two apartments back to a single family home they found this receipt dated February 16, 1916 for Albert Bouvrette for hay and flour from A.L. Raymond ( a Grocery store on Champlain Street till 1970) in1916 in the walls. Plus a post card from Paul sent to Cecilia Bouvrette (his sisiter who became a nun in St. Hyacinthe). Translation: “Just a note to say a few words. I hope all is well with you. As it is always with me, school! I am 10 out of 24. Enjoy your stay in Biten Paul” The most recent restoration there where several cigarette boxes found.

Completed

2015

Location

Gatineau, Quebec