Étienne-Paschal Taché House National Historic Site of Canada

The Étienne-Paschal Taché House was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1990 because:

• it was, for more than 35 years, the principal residence of Étienne-Paschal Taché, doctor, prime minister of United Canada, and one of the fathers of Confederation;
• it is a wooden house, of rectangular plan with a medium-pitched roof; which is typical of traditional Quebec architecture and exhibits interior details of classical inspiration.

The house was constructed for Étienne-Paschal Taché, a doctor who practiced medicine, before becoming a major figure in Canadian political history from the mid-1830s until his death in 1865. As Prime Minister of United Canada, Taché presided over the 1864 Quebec Conference and, although he died before Confederation had been achieved, he is remembered as one of the fathers of Confederation. Taché lived in the house for 35 years, raising 15 children.

The house exhibits elements typical of the Quebec “maison traditionnelle”, including the rectangular plan, the medium-pitched, front-sloping roof, high basement, and heavy timber construction. Built in the late 1820s and enlarged in 1855 with an extension to the east and a north-east tower, the house was completed with a second tower in the 1880s. Interior detailing exhibits influences of British classicism. Many modifications were made to the house over the years, and it was partially restored in the late twentieth century.