I guess as good a place to start as any is the heritage designation of the home. The bylaw passed designating the home as a heritage building includes some of the history of the home, I’ll include a passage of from it here as well as the complete document below, but we will expand on the history of the home in more detail down the road.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
The Morin/Cutler House’s cultural heritage value lies in it being a rare and representative example of the few Second Empire style houses built in Fort Erie which still survives, displaying excellence and uniqueness in its design, as well as a high degree of craftsmanship. It is a very early example of brick veneer over wood frame construction. The Second Empire style is demonstrated by the mansard roof pierced by many decorative dormers with arch topped windows. The house was originally crowned by a tower with a four sided bell cast roof and three dormers, one on each fa9ade except the back. The first floor windows are arched topped, the brick work is two toned – buff and red. The porch is large and “L” shaped, with a curved corner mirrored by a curved roof line and curved stairs. The woodwork is very ornate, and the large pieces of glass in 1/1 windows in the front portion of the house were very rare for the area.
The Morin/Cutler House’s cultural heritage value also lies in its association with Lt. Col. James Morin and Eber Cutler, who were both significant to the community. James Morin purchased the land upon which this house was constructed as well as the land on the north side of it from the Methodists, in order to fund the building of their church. Eber Cutler, who also built “Roselawn” at 322 King Street in Port Colborne, was the largest builder in the area at the time, and the owner of a saw mill and dry goods store, built the house for James Morin. Morin was his senior manager, and had been with Cutler since apprenticing as a carpenter. Together, they also built the house next door on the north side, at 356 Ridge Road North. James Morin later became a Lt. Col. in the army, and a M.P.P. in the 5th and 6th legislatures.
This house was important in establishing and maintaining the dominant Victorian character of the area. Along with 356 Ridge Road North, and the church at 366 Ridge Road North, they are linked together historically and as a streetscape, continuing to represent the unique vision of Ridgeway.
