Place Description
The restored Doucet House is located in the picturesque setting of Rustico, PEI. The building has a view of surrounding fields and open water. It has a yard surrounded by a rough log fence. It was moved to this location next to the Farmer's Bank of Rustico National Historic Site in December 1999.
Why is this place important?
The Doucet House is rare example of Acadian vernacular construction in PEI. A dendrochronological study has dated the surviving original wood frame of the building to 1768, making it possibly the oldest dwelling in PEI. The Doucet House is significant to the history of the Acadian population of the province. It was built by local Acadians after the 1763 Treaty of Paris which ended hostility between Britain and France following the Seven Year's War. It originally also served as a focal point for the religious life of the Rustico Acadians. Mass was held in the house by travelling missionary, Father James MacDonald. Its first occupant, Jean Doucet, had even been appointed by the Bishop of Quebec to perform various religious ceremonies due to the shortage of priests in the late 18th Century.
The restoration of the Doucet House has been documented and can be seen on the website of the Virtual Museum of Canada.
Source: PEI Heritage Advisory Committee Files
Special Characteristics
The following elements are integral to the design and form of the Doucet House:
- the one-and-one half storey height
- the gabled roof of wooden shakes
- the central brick chimney
- the dovetailed pine log construction (typical of vernacular Acadian builders in the Maritime region of Canada)
- the sandstone foundation
