'Not for the faint-hearted': Historic house restoration moves ahead

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The restoration and renovation of a Bathurst heritage home is entering its second phase, which will see work begin to the inside of the building.

Maison Doucet Hennessy House Association president Melynda Jarratt said the second of three phases of the project to restore the home and transform it into a community cultural centre will focus on the rough work inside the 1800s home.

She said the association is preparing applications to secure federal and provincial funding to help pay for the work, which includes the installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, along with upgraded plumbing, electrical and work to walls and partitions to make the space more functional.

Jarratt said the association hopes to include elements like solar power to reduce the carbon footprint of the home.

“I see this house being a model for energy efficiency,” she said.

Phase three will be the finishings, which will include refurbishing the wood floors, putting in furniture, door knobs, and other details.

Jarrett expects phases two and three of the project will cost roughly $600,000, on top of the $340,000 already spent for the first phase.

“It is a long haul,” Jarratt said. “It’s a lot of work, not for the faint-hearted.”

The home, believed to have been built in the 1840s by Charles Doucet, was used as a residence for Roman Catholic missionaries in the 19th century, according to documentation on the historic home’s website. The house was declared a local historic site by the City of Bathurst in 2009.

Phase one of the project, which focused on structural work of the building wrapped up in November, Jarratt said.

The work began with repairs to the home’s original stone foundation, which began the week before the onset of COVID-19, and was the beginning of many delays caused by the pandemic, Jarratt said.

Other work done to the house as part of the first phase included reinforcing the attic, addressing site drainage, reinforcing the entrance of the house and repairing and replacing shingles.

The pandemic caused significant delays to original timeline, from trouble getting skilled labourers to supply chain issues for specialized materials, Jarratt said.

“We learned a lot.”

Painting the outside of the house also began last summer but because of all the rain Jarratt said that project will only be completed this year.

Aside from the cost of restoration, Jarratt said the non-profit charitable organization has monthly bills to operate the house, and like everyone else those costs have increased.

The association will hold its 10th annual hootenanny fundraiser May 4 at the Southside Lounge beginning at 7 p.m., following a four-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.

Jarratt said people can expect to hear a diverse lineup of music in a kitchen party format, but on a bigger stage.

“We’ve got a big lineup of local people and people from out of town,” she said.

Performers include Jim Hennessy, Tommy Jagoe, Dianne Rennie, Richard Boudreau, George Snyder & Pat Shea, John Mann, Wally MacKinnon, Isabelle Villeneuve and Anica, who performed on America’s Got Talent.

“Anybody else who wants to come up and sing is welcome,” Jarratt said, adding music will range from country, blues and rock to bluegrass, folk and “Newfie tunes.”

“It’s definitely energetic and a lot of fun and we’re hoping people come to support the Doucet Hennessy House.”

Admission is by donation.

Jarratt said the association is also always looking for people with an interest in heritage or construction to get involved with the house.