Wolverton House

GENERAL

Alternate Titles

Mrs. Leonard's Guest House

Type / Purpose

Boarding house / veteran’s home / private residence

Location

123 Chapel Street, Woodstock, New Brunswick

Description

The Wolverton House is a white Classic Revival residence with a prominent dormer window and red siding along a large veranda.

Heritage Value

The Wolverton House is recognized for its association with the Wolverton family and its various purposes over the years.

This Classic Revival residence was originally used as a boarding house by James Wolverton (1856-1917) and his wife Eva (Hovey). It had one of the finest contemporary bathrooms in Carleton County. It was capable of pouring both hot and cold water, a luxury at the time. Later on the couple’s son, Dr. Frank Wolverton (1888-1967), operated his medicinal business in the front parlor from 1920 right up until his passing in 1967.

In 1971, the house was sold to Branch 11 of the Royal Canadian Legion, who converted it into the only branch-owned Legion Veterans’ Home in Canada. Years later in 2004, the Wolverton House resumed its original purpose as a boarding house, now under the title of Mrs. Leonard’s Guest House. It was most recently converted into a private residence in 2014.

Heritage Recognition

A historical marker was placed outside the house by the Town of Woodstock.

ARCHITECTURE

Date of Construction

1889-1890

Character Defining Elements

- Large Classic Revival-style massing
- Side-gabled roof
- Pedimented central dormer with two windows
- Enclosed full-length front veranda
- Taps capable of pouring both hot and cold water, a luxury at the time of the building's construction

OWNERSHIP HISTORY

Notable Historic Occupants

James Wolverton (1856-1917, co-owner of boarding house)

Eva (Hovey) Wolverton (James' wife, co-owner of boarding house)

Dr. Frank Wolverton (James and Eva's son, 1888-1967, used front parlor as a medical office starting in 1920)

Branch 11 of the Royal Canadian Legion (Used the building as the only branch-owned Legion Veterans’ Home in Canada from 1971 to 2004)

SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

Photos

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2019, taken from the Historical Marker Database

Sources Contributors

Gabrielle Byrne

Copyright 2023