B. J. Hales House Heritage Site

The 2 1/2-storey B.J. Hales House, completed in 1912, is a brick- and stucco-clad wooden structure in a residential area of Brandon.

The property’s wild grape arbor, wild crabapples, Manitoba maples, elms, ferns, honeysuckle, mountain ash and huge basswood trees are legacies of B.J. Hales’ residency.
The B.J. Hales House is significant as the long-time residence of Benjamin J. Hales, the first principal of Brandon Normal School.
The noted naturalist and author founded the B.J. Hales Museum.
Key elements that define the heritage character of the House site include:
a front hedge and iron-railed gate anchored by brick and limestone posts
a decorative fish pond (bounded by limestone slabs),
a roughly-constructed stone oven
and a one-metre-high stone fence along the south property line
Key elements that define the dwelling’s distinctive Arts and Crafts-style exterior character include:
the picturesque facade, including the eye-catching, symmetrically curved eaves over two sets of upper-storey windows
the shed-roofed dormer near the central peak of the truncated hip roof
the single-storey front porch and the two-level rear porch and sunroom
the walls of red brick, white stucco, half-timbering, limestone and brick windowsills, some segmental-arched brick window heads, wood shingles on the front porch roof and rear porch and sunroom.
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Key elements that define the home’s well-appointed interior character include:
the centre-hall plan with a roomy vestibule leading to compact high-ceilinged rooms
an oak staircase with a large round newel post and turned spindles
beautifully finished and detailed oak trim, shown to best advantage in the vestibule but noticeable elsewhere on the main floor, including wide baseboards, beamed ceilings, finely finished doors.
Hidden behind a wall of towering trees, this brick structure is not specifically representative of any single architectural style.
The home showcases a number of interesting architectural features such as:
two dormer windows on the second floor bound by connected eyebrows
a steep hipped roof
a fairly unique canted bay window, side lights, and display windows.
The lot is partially bordered by a fieldstone wall with a large fieldstone fireplace built into the southern wall of the property.
The property’s wild grape arbor, wild crabapples, Manitoba maples, elms, ferns, honeysuckle, mountain ash and huge basswood trees are legacies of B.J. Hales’ residency.
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BROMLEY’S MENSWEAR
S. Cohen Collection
Trousers have Stretch Guard Panels and Performa-Stretch Waistbands to provide exceptional comfort.
THE CINNAMON TREE
French Doll Necklaces
Fabulous statement necklaces featuring beautifully crafted dollies on long chains – quirky and unique!
Tips for hanging framed items
We offer these tips courtesy of Larson-Juhl.
Even the most beautiful pieces of framed art can still look awkward if they are not hung logically.
Some of the key considerations are:
- Choosing framed art that fits the space where it will hang
- Hang frames in reasonably close proximity to the furniture below it to create unison
- Hang frames at eye level for maximum viewing pleasure, keeping in mind people stand in foyers and halls and sit in many other spaces so that height can vary.
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To avoid crooked frames on the wall
When frames are hung from a single point, they usually shift on the wall over time.
Both for safety and also to keep frames straight, always hang everything from two points.
On heavier pieces this also helps distribute the weight.
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