Description of Historic Place

Ryan Residence, also known as Building 5, at the Ryan Premises in the outport of Bonavista, is a two-and-a-half storey, wood frame building with a gabled roof, a front porch and a one-storey shed roofed extension. Its principal façade is three bays wide and has a central entrance. Its clapboard walls are framed with finely proportioned trim and two chimneys are symmetrically placed on the roof ridge. The gables and front porch are detailed with a small amount of decorative trim. The building is one of a group of six buildings that is highly evocative of the Newfoundland 19th- and 20th-century Atlantic fishing business. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

Ryan Residence is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Ryan Residence is one of the best examples of a building associated with Atlantic Fisheries in Canada. It is one of six buildings that constitute Ryan Premises, the headquarters of a family operated inshore fishery. The Ryan Company made an important contribution to Newfoundland and Canadian history and was, at one time, one of the largest fishing firms on the northeast coast of Newfoundland. The Ryan Premises dominated Newfoundland’s economic history in the 19th century and continued to be the single most important source of employment and market income well into the 20th century. The Ryan Premises are directly associated with the Ryan family and particularly, with James Ryan (1841-1917), the founder of James Ryan Ltd.

Architectural Value
Ryan Residence is a very good example of Newfoundland vernacular wooden architecture as evidenced by its basic design, symmetry and unadorned, angular qualities. As a residence, it features a front porch with well-crafted Victorian style decoration such as the gingerbread vergeboards and the columns. The good functional design of the building is demonstrated in its classically inspired center hall plan, with symmetrically placed working fireplaces which heated each room. Further evidence of its very good craftsmanship is evidenced in the interior, vaulted brick cellar as well as in decorative features such as the built-in furniture and ceiling roundels.

Environmental Value
Ryan Residence, as part of the Ryan Premises, reinforces the mixed character of its commercial and residential setting in the seaside town of Bonavista and is well known at the local level.

Sources: Shannon Ricketts, Ryan Premises (6 buildings), Bonavista, Newfoundland, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 92-083; Ryan Residence, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 92-083.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Ryan Residence should be respected.

Its very good Newfoundland vernacular architecture, functional design and very good craftsmanship and materials, for example: the basic rectangular massing which consists of a simple, gable-roofed, box-like form with a small shed-roofed structure attached to the rear wall; the roof’s slight eaves overhang, narrow fascia, symmetrically arranged chimneys and the finial on the gable end; the wood frame construction built on a masonry and concrete foundation; the clapboard walls, framed by finely proportioned trim; the Victorian style decorative elements such as the gingerbread vergeboards and the front porch columns; the pattern and size of window and door openings, which reflects the centre-hall plan; the multi-paned windows; the vaulted brick cellar in the linhay; the decorative features of the interior, including the smooth plaster on the walls, the ceiling roundels, and the built-in furniture such as the glass-fronted cupboard with Chippendale-style mullions.

The manner in which Ryan Residence, as part of the Ryan Premises, reinforces the mixed character of its commercial/ residential setting in the outport town of Bonavista, and is a well known building at the local level, as evidenced by: the overall scale, design and materials that make the building compatible with the Ryan Premises, of which it is a part; the building’s location within a major complex of buildings that is prominently situated within a relatively small community, which makes it familiar.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Ryan Residence (Building No. 5 of the Ryan Premises) was built circa 1860 for the Ryan family by local carpenters. The family-run company has been closed since 1978 and the buildings abandoned. The complex is in the care of Parks Canada because the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has designated the Ryan Premises for potential development as a commemorative site representing the Atlantic fishery. See FHBRO Building Report 92-83.

Reasons for Designation

The Ryan Residence was designated Classified for its strong association with an important historical theme, for the merits of the craftsmanship and materials used in its construction, and for the important role it plays in the character of the complex.

The Ryan Residence is one of six buildings that constitute the "Ryan Premises", headquarters of a family operated inshore fishery. The Ryan Company made an important contribution to Newfoundland and Canadian history, and is representative of various aspects of the Atlantic fishery. The Ryan premises forms a coherent whole that is highly evocative of the business of the 19th and 20th century Atlantic fishery.

The Ryan Residence and the other buildings of the Ryan Premises are simple wooden structures whose severe, unadorned angular qualities exemplify Newfoundland vernacular architecture. Their basic rectangular massing, rigid symmetry and regular fenestration establish the visual character of the complex. The Residence has Victorian elements that embellish the severe wooden structure and set it apart from the more utilitarian company buildings.

Ryan Premises is a significant complex of buildings grouped on a gently sloping site by the sea. The Classified designation applies to the entire building, and to its site relationships with other buildings in the Ryan Premises and with the sea.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Ryan Residence resides in its massing, proportions, architectural details and materials, and site relationships.

A two-and-a-half storey wood frame building on a stone and concrete foundation, the Ryan Residence is a simple box-like form with a front porch and a one-story, shed roofed extension (linhay) at the back. The vaulted brick cellar in the linhay is unusual and an example of fine craftsmanship.

The disposition of multi-paned windows reflects the interior layout and contributes to the balanced composition of the elevations. The patterns and early fabric of these features should be retained. The windows should be restored.

The clapboard walls are outlined by finely proportioned trim, and by the slight eaves overhang and the narrow fascia which read as a sharp line. Ornamentation adds a Victorian flavour to the otherwise severe architecture in such stylistic elements such as the gingerbread bargeboards and front porch columns. Care should be taken to maintain the existing wood finishes. All elements should be repaired rather than replaced, and painted in traditional colours based on paint analysis.

The interior layout of the residence is a classically inspired center-hall plan. Symmetrically placed working fireplaces which heated each room are important features that should be retained. Interior spaces are intact, and the finishes are superb examples of Newfoundland vernacular style and craftsmanship. The wood trim at doors, windows, baseboards, fireplace mantels and under-window panelling exhibits sound construction and sophisticated detailing. Board walls and ceilings have been carefully crafted to resemble smooth plaster complete with such decorative elements as ceiling roundels. The residence featured some built-in furniture such as the glass-fronted cupboard with Chippendale-style mullions. All surviving early elements should be retained and restored.

In its environs the residence plays a strong supporting role; it marks the place of the family in a large family run business that significantly influenced the surrounding community. The features which create this quality should be maintained.

According to oral history and historic photographs, the house was originally fronted by a carefully landscaped garden looking out to the sea. Consideration should be given to reinstating the garden with its elaborate fence constructed on a stone base with gateway and lantern, based on documentary, pictorial and physical evidence. The relationship of the buildings to the sea is significant and should be protected.