Billings Estate (Ground Floor) - Integrated Project Dossier (2015)

Billings Estate Museum is the former home of the Billings family. It is a wooden structure; with a basement, main floor, second floor, and attic. Originally 1500 acres in size the site is now 8 acres and includes the main house, the gate-house, and the family cemetery. The Construction of the main house started in 1828 and it finished in 1829. The structure is timber frame and the exterior is wood cladding, the cladding is laid horizontal and painted white. The architecture of the building is the New England style of the Georgian period. The home was built by Bradd-ish Billings I; who was originally born in Massachusetts, Braddish was the first settler in Gloucester Township when he immigrated in 1812. In 1831 the family moved their former house intact to the east side of the main house. It was at this point that they removed the existing veranda. In 1865 the family built a west wing, which was to be a separate kitchen for Braddish’s daughter Sally Billings. The site is in itself a character-defining element. Elevated above the surrounding area the site oversees the property as well as the Rideau River. The new England style classical inspired design, which includes the rectangular massing, front-sloped pitched roof with end chimneys, and slate shingles. The front façade has symmetrical organization of the central block and central entries and an open porch with pillars supporting a balcony. The windows have decorative connecting with dentiles and the top floor pedimented dormers. This is the Integrated Project Dossier compiled by a group of undergraduate students of the Architectural Conservation and Sustainability Program (Engineers and architects) at Carleton University for the CIVE3207 (ARCN4100) Historic Site Recording and Assessment course in 2015.