Bolton-Est Town Hall National Historic Site of Canada

The Bolton-Est Town Hall was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1984 because:

• a rare example of regional building traditions, this structure stands as a graceful tribute to the development of local self-government and to community spirit.

The Municipal and Road Act for Lower Canada was passed in 1855, resulting in the construction of many public buildings in the English-speaking communities of rural Québec during the second half of the 19th century. The Bolton-Est Town Hall was erected in 1867 and for economic reasons, used a volunteer community workforce, was constructed of locally obtained wood and was designed to serve various functions. It housed a council chamber and a social meeting place; however, the presence of a classroom on the ground floor is unique and distinguishes the building from previous township halls in Canada. The Bolton-Est Town Hall is also a rare example of a wood township hall that has preserved some of its functions, its original appearance and its sophisticated architecture. This structure stands as a graceful tribute to the development of local self-government and to community spirit in Canada.