Pattee / Freiman House
149 Somerset Street West
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
Built in 1891, Pattee/Freiman House is recognizable by its circular conservatory that projects from the west end of the front façade. This late-Victorian mansion was originally owned by lumber baron, Gordon B. Pattee.
In 1913, Archibald J. Freiman, owner of the well-known Freiman's Department Store, bought the home. A.J. Freiman and his wife, Lillian, were leaders in the city's Jewish and business communities.
One particular anecdote speaks to the character of the Freiman family. The biggest rival to Freiman's Department Store was Ogilvy's, which was also located on Rideau Street. In the 1970s, Ogilvy's had a disastrous fire which put them out of business for months. When they rebuilt and reopened, Freiman's welcomed them back in an advertisement in the Ottawa Citizen.
Today, the house is used as the Ottawa Army Officers' Mess and is worth a tour through the sumptuous interior – but you'll need a member of the Mess to get you in!
