Gamman House

Address: 306 Cyr Avenue

Construction date: mid-1870s

Nathaniel Gamman was born Ottawa, in 1848 making him an early inhabitant of the city. He worked as a janitor and a labourer and served briefly as a councilor in the town of Eastview. The Gamman's were one of many working class families who settled in the developing communities surrounding Montreal Road. 

The Gamman house was built in the mid 1870s for Nathaniel Gamman and his wife Mary.  The family lived there until Nathaniel's death in 1917. The house, constructed of wood, is typical of working class houses built during this period. Additions were later added in the rear of the house. The Gamman house is an excellent representation of Ottawa's working class and the houses they built to accommodate their growing families.

The heritage value of the Gamman house is also derived from its architectural style. The Second Empire style was primarily used for institutional, commercial and larger residential buildings. Although there are some examples of vernacular Second Empire style residences in Lowertown in Ottawa, this style is much less common than the typical gable roofed workers' cottages.The distinctive mansard roof sets the Gamman house apart from most other working class residences at the time.  The mansard roof creates a high-ceilinged attic storey, which greatly increases the floor space of the modest dwelling.