Formal Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land

Heritage Value

Otterbury Schoolhouse has been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of Harbour Grace due to its historic and aesthetic value.

Otterbury Schoolhouse has historic value due to its age and extended use as a schoolhouse. It stood in an area once known as Otterbury, hence the name for the schoolhouse. It now sits within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Harbour Grace. Run by the Roman Catholic church in Harbour Grace this school was first listed in 1884 with forty five students registered in attendance. The school continued to operate until sometime in the 1960s, when it was closed permanently.

Otterbury Schoolhouse has aesthetic value due to its vernacular architectural style. This one room building has a steep, gable roof and is built with narrow wooden clapboard. The school also features wide corner boards and a wide water table. The windows, of which there are three on the main façade, are 6/6 double hung type. They have plain moulding with a small, eared raincap over top. The main door is wood plank construction and the trim is comprised of plain, flat mouldings with a small, eared raincap above the door. A small porch extends from the rear of the building.

Source: Passed by a motion of Harbour Grace Town Council, held January 10, 2006; Town of Harbour Grace Regular Public Council Meeting, September 20, 2022.

Character Defining Elements

All those elements that speak to the nineteenth century, vernacular schoolhouse style, including:

-steep gable roof;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-wide cornerboards and wide water table;
-6/6 windows with plain, flat mouldings and small rain caps;
-small porch extension at rear of building;
-window and door openings;
-location, orientation and dimensions, and;
-one storey construction.

Community

Harbour Grace

Municipality

Town of Harbour Grace

Civic Address

Water Street

Construction (circa)

1884 - 1884

Style

Rectangular Long Façade