Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

The Abram Richards Property was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001 because it has aesthetic value.

Built in 1912, the Abram Richards Property has aesthetic value as a well-preserved example of the biscuit box style from the early 20th century. The classical details demonstrate the work of the builder and original owner, Abram Richards, who was an accomplished finish carpenter. There are several interior furnishings originally purchased for the home that still remain there, such as the mantel and overmantel built by Henry William Winter – a successful, self-taught furniture maker from nearby Clarke’s Beach. These pieces are significant in that they reveal a unique and ingenious style of furniture making specific to Winter’s work.

The Abram Richards Property has further aesthetic value due to its environmental setting. The surrounding property contains mature trees and plants native to the area and a small, wooden shed can be found at the rear of the property. The surrounding property is representative of a way of life where large, sprawling, residential properties were common. The viewscape over the ocean suggests a time when maritime living was paramount to a community’s existence.

Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Bareneed – Abram Richards Property – FPT 1423”

Character Defining Elements

All those elements that speak to the aesthetic value of the property, including;
-biscuit-box style;
-number of storeys;
-type of roof;
-chimney number, style and placement;
-carved wooden mouldings surrounding eave trim;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-classical pilaster wooden corner boards;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden storm windows;
-rounded window sills;
-entablature style wooden raincaps;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior wooden doors;
-size, style, trim and location of porches on front and rear facades;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows and wooden doors in front and rear porches;
-large, wooden drip cap and water table above the foundation;
-dimension, location and orientation of house;
-Henry William Winter mantel and overmantel in the interior;
-original form, scale and massing of outbuilding including roof type, wooden clapboard, wooden corner boards, wooden window size, style, trim and placement, size, style, trim and placement of wooden exterior doors, and dimension, location and orientation of outbuilding.

Community

Bareneed

Municipality

Not specified (Newfoundland)

Civic Address

Dock Road

Construction (circa)

1912 - 1912

Builder

Abram Richards

Style

Square