This 2 ½-storey Second Empire style dwelling, which was built for Charles H.B. Fisher in 1882, is situated on the southwest corner of Brunswick and Church Streets.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of this dwelling is associated with the architectural style, and the prominence of its ownership. Charles H.B. Fisher hired Mr. D.E. Dunham, Saint John architect, to design this house, which would become known locally as Brunswick Place, in the Second Empire style. Mr. Dunham, who left an imprint on the streetscape of 1880s Fredericton, designed the Post Office and Customs House (1881), located on Queen Street, and the Brunswick Street Baptist Church (1883). Charles H.B. Fisher, nephew of Father of Confederation, Hon. Charles Fisher, was a barrister who ran a law firm with his brother G. Fred Fisher, a Mayor of Fredericton. The Fisher brothers would also operate their own private bank in the city.
In 1903, Hon. A.G. Blair, who served as Premier of New Brunswick from 1883 to 1896, purchased this house for his daughter, Mrs. Robert F. Randolph. Before his daughter took up residency, A.G. Blair had extensive renovations made to this dwelling. He hired prominent Boston architect Robert Brown, who had also prepared the design plans for 791 Brunswick Street. Building contractor and future mayor of Fredericton, Moses Mitchell, was hired to undertake the renovations.
The Randolph family took up residence in 1904, when the renovation were complete, in which house they lived for nearly a decade.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements identified for the Second Empire style dwelling located at 790 Brunswick Street include:
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2 ½-storey wood frame construction
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Second Empire style features
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Mansard roof
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projecting bay on north facing side
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balustrade on south facing sun porch
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large rectangular windows
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open front entry porch