House of Providence, commonly known as the Academy building or Academy Building
The House of Providence is a three-story brick building featuring Georgian architectural style with symmetrically arranged windows and doors across its balanced facade. Today it houses office spaces, shops, and event venues while remaining open for visitors to tour its interior rooms.
Construction began in 1873 and was completed in 1874, designed by Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart who arrived from Montreal in 1856 and shaped regional development. Mother Joseph was known for traveling through mining camps to gather donations and establish hospitals, schools, and orphanages throughout the area.
The building once operated as an orphanage and school for girls, reflecting the Sisters of Providence's commitment to education and social care in the region. Visitors can sense how this place embodied faith-based community work that shaped local life.
The building requires climbing stairs, though a small elevator is available to help visitors access most spaces within. It sits in a quiet area and can be visited for tours or reserved for private events.
An overlooked detail is that Lowell Hidden, an ancestor of the current owners, was personally convinced by Mother Joseph to help make bricks for the building. This direct link between the builders and the family who owns the property today shows how intertwined local history remains.
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