Ryan Fish Storage
Recognized Federal Heritage Building
Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador
Corner view
© Agence Parcs Canada / Parks Canada Agency, 1991.
Address :
Canaille Road, Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada, Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Statute:
Treasury Board Policy on Management of Real Property
Designation Date:
1993-03-18
Dates:
-
1888 to 1890
(Construction)
Other Name(s):
-
Building 3
(Other Name)
-
Fish Store
(Other Name)
Custodian:
Parks Canada
FHBRO Report Reference:
92-083
DFRP Number:
56560 00
Description of Historic Place
Ryan Fish Storage, also known as Building 3, located at Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada in the outport town of Bonavista, is a tall, wood frame building with a side-gable roof. The clapboard walls are outlined by finely proportioned trim and by the roof’s slight eaves overhang. 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 Fish Storage at the Ryan Premises is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.
Historical Value
Ryan Fish Storage is strongly associated with Atlantic Fisheries in Canada. One of six buildings that constitute the Ryan Premises, it was 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 Fish Storage is a good example of Newfoundland vernacular wooden architecture as evidenced by its basic design and unadorned, angular qualities. Its very good functional design and good construction forms part of a grouping of buildings whose geometric interplay features rectangular massing, regularly fenestrated elevations and front-sloping gable roofs.
Environmental Value
Ryan Fish Storage, 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 Fish Store building, Ryan Premises, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 92-083.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of Ryan Fish Storage should be respected.
Its Newfoundland vernacular architecture, functional design and craftsmanship, for example: the basic rectangular massing of the building’s three-and-a-half storey, box-like form capped with a side-gable roof; the solid, heavy timber post and beam frame construction with round wood studs at two foot (0.6 meters) centres clad with straight edged lumber and finished with narrow spruce clapboard; the clapboard walls that are outlined by finely proportioned trim, and by the slight eaves overhang and the narrow fascia; the pattern and size of window and door openings; the simple ornamentation; the masonry and concrete foundations.
The manner in which Ryan Fish Storage, as part of the Ryan Premises, reinforces the mixed character of its commercial and 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 in a major complex of buildings that is prominently situated within a relatively small community, and its role as a commercial structure in the community.
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 Fish Store (Building No. 3 of the Ryan Premises) was built circa 1888-1890 for the Ryan family fishery. The family run company has been closed since 1978. The building is in the care of Parks Canada because the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has designated the Ryan Premises for potential development to commemorate the Atlantic fishery. See FHBRO Building Report 92-83.
Reasons Eor Designation
The Ryan Fish Store building was designated Recognized for its strong association with an important historical theme, for the craftsmanship and materials used in its construction, and for the important role it plays in the character of the complex.
The Ryan Fish Store is one of six buildings that constitute the "Ryan Premises", which comprised the 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. As an architectural ensemble, the Ryan Premises forms a coherent whole that is highly evocative of the 19th and 20th century Atlantic fishery.
The Fish Store shares aesthetic qualities with the other Ryan Premises buildings, whose severe, unadorned angular qualities exemplify Newfoundland vernacular architecture. The basic rectangular massing and regular fenestration establish the visual character of this building and the complex.
Ryan Premises is a significant complex of buildings grouped on a gently sloping site by the sea. The recognized designation applies to the entire building, and to its site relationships with other buildings in the Ryan Premises and with the
Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Ryan Fish Store resides in its massing, proportions, architectural details and materials.
The Fish Store building is a three-and-a-half storey wood frame building on a stone and concrete foundation. It is a simple rectangular box-like form capped with a side-gable roof. The overall form and footprint of the building should be respected.
The pattern of window and door openings is integral to the building's character. Facade openings on the north (sea) elevation are symmetrical about a central axis, with regularly spaced window openings on all floors. There are only two openings on the south (street) elevation. Large openings in all the elevations provided loading access on the ground floor and upper floors. Evidence exists of outside staircases to openings at the upper levels. Early windows and doors should be retained and restored.
The clapboard walls are outlined by finely proportioned trim, and by the slight eave overhang and the narrow fascia which reads as a sharp line. Care should be taken to maintain the existing wood finishes. All elements should be repaired rather than replaced, and painted in traditional colours identified by paint analysis.
The building's stark linear geometry and understated ornamentation complement the surrounding uncompromising landscape. The features which create this quality should be maintained; alterations which would soften or embellish the architecture should be resisted.
The structure is solid heavy timber post and beam construction with round-cut wood studs at approximately two foot centres sheathed with straight edged lumber, and finished with narrow spruce clapboard. The integrity of the structural system should be respected. The masonry and concrete foundations should be regularly inspected and maintained by qualified contractors.
The Fish Store building was used for the storage of coal on the ground floor and fish on the floors above. Unlike other buildings in Ryan Premises, it had no public function. The simple, rough finishes of the interior, with whitewash in some areas, clearly indicate its utilitarian storage function; this character should be respected.
Unlike the other buildings in the Ryan Premises, this building retains its historic orientation to the sea. Site development should respect this relationship, and preserve the utilitarian character of the setting.
1994.10.24
(19695)