Want to live in history? N.S.'s oldest wooden home offers 'unique opportunity'

Want to live in history? N.S.'s oldest wooden home offers 'unique opportunity'

The 318-year-old de Gannes-Cosby House in Annapolis Royal is listed for $495,000

Nova Scotia's oldest documented wooden structure, a 318-year-old National Historic Site in Annapolis Royal, is for sale for $495,000.

Located on St. George Street, the de Gannes-Cosby House reflects centuries of French and British rule in the region and has been continuously occupied.

“It's not an easy house to live in. It's difficult to heat and living in a museum is not for everybody,” said Alyn How, who inherited the home and is acting as the real estate agent.

His parents bought the property in 1983, but How says it’s time for someone new to “put their stamp on it.”

How this 315-year-old private home in Annapolis Royal became a national historic site

Selling the one-and-a-half-storey house — located at 477 St. George St. — may take time, How said. The property has been on the market for two weeks, drawing early interest but no offers.

“It's not like a condominium in Halifax, it's not like a bungalow in a subdivision,” he said. “It is a unique opportunity and we're going to take our time to make sure that we find the right buyer for it because it is of national significance.”

Between 1605 and 1710, Port-Royal, now known as Annapolis Royal, served as the capital of the French colony of Acadia. As French and British forces fought over the territory, a final British siege captured the capital in 1710.

Nova Scotia's oldest wooden house could be yours for $495,000

Today, the house stands as a reminder of nearly 120 years of Acadian settlement. It was originally built for French officer Louis de Gannes de Falaise and funded by King Louis XIV.

After 1727, it housed British officer Alexander Cosby, lieutenant-governor of the fort and town of Annapolis Royal.

“It’s really important for the patrimonial value of the Acadian people,” said André-Carl Vachon, an author and lecturer on Acadian history.

The building retains many of its original structural features, such as post-and-beam framing and wattle-and-daub infill.

Both Vachon and How hope whoever buys the home next will preserve its historic spirit.

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Molly MacNaughton is a news reporter and associate producer. For story ideas contact her at molly.macnaughton@cbc.ca