Lawrence Cottage is a one-and-a-half storey, wooden framed house with a gable roof located on Lawrence Lane in Bonavista, NL. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Formal Recognition Type
Registered Heritage Structure
Heritage Value
Lawrence Cottage was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001 because of its aesthetic and cultural values.
Aesthetically, Lawrence Cottage is a good example of a vernacular style of house built in Bonavista during the latter part of the 19th century. The house was built using typical wood frame construction and the exterior was decorated in the current style. The interior presents detailing that is original to the house and the floor plan has remained unchanged since the time of its construction. The aesthetic value of this house lies in the fact that it reflects, both inside and out, the craftsmanship of early builders in Bonavista.
Lawrence Cottage has cultural value because of its associations with a prominent family in Bonavista – the Lawrence family. Lawrence Cottage was constructed for John Lawrence Jr., a local business man and tinsmith. This property once included a tinsmith shop, which is relevant to the history of Bonavista and area because it provides a connection with an important occupation in a fishing community.
Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Bonavista – Lawrence Cottage – FPT 1700”
Character Defining Elements
All original features which relate to the age and style of the property, including:
-gable roof with wooden shingle covering;
-placement and appearance of peaked dormer;
-original uniform windows openings and door placement;
-original windows and doors throughout;
-narrow clapboard;
-exterior decorative elements including trim on windows, rain caps and door mouldings;
-linhay at back of house;
-all interior features which reflect the age and style of the building, and;
-dimensions, location and orientation of building.
Notes
It is not certain if John Lawrence, Sr. or Jr. built the house. The Senior Lawrence was a farmer who came from England. He died in 1865 at the age of 79. The Junior Lawrence married Ellen Strathie in 1843 and in 1844 their first child was born. John Jr. is the father of John Withers Lawrence of Jubilee Cottage.
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