THE CHARLES MACDONALD HOUSE OF CENTREVILLE SOCIETY

In 1912, Charlie returned to the Annapolis Valley and built the region’s first concrete factory here at 19 Saxon Street. At the time, culverts and sewage containers were made of wood, which often rotted, and home electricity was still a novelty. Many homeowners attempted their own wiring in wooden houses, leading to frequent fires. As a pioneer in concrete construction, Charlie sought to address these problems by promoting the use of concrete.

 

Eventually, Charlie’s Centreville gravel pit ran out of raw materials. To secure a new location in Kentville, Charlie sold the land where the one-room factory stood. Less than a year later, he reacquired the property, with the original factory intact, and set out to transform it into his home.

 

Charlie’s use of concrete was innovative for its time. The Centreville Concrete House was the first reinforced concrete building in the Annapolis Valley, constructed just 20 years after the first such building in Europe. Charlie pushed the boundaries of concrete, creating unique features like cabinets, shelves, a bathtub, a decorative hearth, a birdhouse, and even life-sized animal sculptures.

 

Charlie lived in the Centreville Concrete House until his death in 1967 at the age of 93. After his passing, Mabel continued living there until her passing in 1981. The woodlot behind the property  was bequeathed to the village of Centreville and later became Centreville Park, while the Concrete House was left to John and Charlotte Legge. When the up-keep of the Concrete House became too much for the Legges, it was put up for sale. 

 

Recognizing the historical significance of the property, a group of 10 concerned citizens came together to preserve Charlie’s legacy. In 1995, the Charles Macdonald Concrete House of Centreville Society was formed, and the museum opened its doors the following year. Keeping with Charles Macdonald’s ethos, admission is free. 

 

Over the next 25 years, the Concrete House became a hub for music and art events, welcoming locals and visitors to experience Charlie and Mabel’s extraordinary life. However, the house faced significant structural issues. By February 2020, the building was in such a state of disrepair that the board of directors faced a critical decision: sell the property and walk away or attempt to save it.

 

The board voted to save the Concrete House. Between March 2020 and February 2025, the all-volunteer board dedicated themselves to the restoration effort. They spent countless hours researching, fundraising, writing grants, and working hands-on to restore the house. Tasks ranged from painting and building to cleaning and designing. In the summer of 2025, the Concrete House reopened, fully restored and ready to inspire a new generation.