Description
The Gover House is a two-storey, 19th century, steep gable style house located in Trinity, Trinity Bay. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Statement of Significance
Formal Recognition Type
Registered Heritage Structure
Heritage Value
The Gover House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1993 because of its architectural and social values.
Architecturally, the Gover House is significant because it is a good example of the mid-nineteenth century domestic architecture in Trinity Bay. The house, significant for its full studded method of construction, is one of the oldest in the community and has been virtually unaltered structurally since it was built. Traditional elements of this house include its symmetrical facade and back porch, typical of Newfoundland outport construction during that era. In a region where the lowering of roofs became a common practice, this house escaped the trend and has retained its steep gable roof and peaked dormers, representative of the 1850’s.
The Gover house is also socially and environmentally significant due to its setting within the community. Situated near the water, this house sits among two other houses that are almost identical in style, each dating back to the mid-19th century. For the members of the community, this particular house serves as a reminder of both the successes and failures felt by the fisherman of Trinity in the 1800’s.
Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Trinity – Gover House – FPT 101”
Character Defining Elements
All elements that define the building’s vernacular domestic design including:
-number of storeys;
-steep gable roof;
-style, style, trim and placement of peaked dormers;
-style, style and placement of chimneys;
-wooden roof shingles;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-wooden corner boards;
-symmetry of front façade;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior wooden doors;
-size, style and placement of linhay on rear facade;
-lack of exterior decoration typical of 19th century outport houses, and;
-dimensions, location and orientation of building.
All those features that speak to the environmental value of the property, including:
-location of house within the community, and;
-proximity to two other houses that are almost identical in style, each dating back to the mid-19th century.
Location and History
Community
Trinity, Trinity Bay
Municipality
Town of Trinity
Civic Address
Fisher's Cove
Construction (circa)
1850 - 1850
Style
Rectangular Long Façade
Location
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