Description of Historic Place

Ryan Store and Fish Purchasing Centre, also known as Building 2 located at Ryan Premises National Historic Site of Canada in the outport town of Bonavista, is a simple 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 coherent group of 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 Store and Fish Purchasing Centre at Ryan Premises is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
Ryan Store and Fish Purchasing Centre is strongly associated with Atlantic Fisheries in Canada. One of six buildings that constitute 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 Store and Fish Purchasing Centre 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 Store and Fish Purchasing Centre, 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 Store/ Fish Purchasing Centre, Ryan Premises, Bonavista, Newfoundland, Heritage Character Statement, 92-083.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of Ryan Store and Fish Purchasing Centre should be respected.

Its Newfoundland vernacular architecture, functional design and craftsmanship, for example: the basic rectangular massing of the building’s simple, two-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 size and pattern of window and door openings; the simple ornamentation; the masonry and concrete foundations.

The manner in which Ryan Store and Fish Purchasing Centre 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 within 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 Store/Fish Purchasing Centre (Building No. 2 of the Ryan Premises) was built circa 1874-1879 for the Ryan family fishery. The family-run company has been closed since 1978. The building served as the warehouse operation of the Retail Store (Building No. 1), and was dependent on the Retail Store for its heating. It is the earliest fish processing/purchasing centre in the Ryan group of buildings. 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 to commemorate the Atlantic fishery. See FHBRO Building Report 92-83.

Reasons for Designation

The Ryan Store/Fish Purchasing Centre 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 Store/Fish Purchasing Centre is one of six buildings that constitute the "Ryan Premises", 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 Store/Fish Purchasing Centre is a cornerstone element in the Ryan fishing complex.

The Store/Fish Purchasing Centre, and other buildings of the Ryan Premises, are simple wooden structures whose severe, unadorned angular qualities exemplify Newfoundland vernacular architecture. Their basic rectangular massing and regular fenestration establish the visual character of 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 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 Store/Fish Purchasing Centre resides in its massing, proportions, architectural details and materials.

Like the Retail Store, the Store/Fish Purchasing Centre is a two-and-a-half storey wood frame building with basement. The foundations are stone and concrete. 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 character of the building. Large openings in the north and south elevations provided loading access on the ground floor. There is also evidence of an outside staircase on the east side giving access to openings at the first and second floors above grade. Existing patterns and links should be retained, as should early windows and doors.

The clapboard walls are outlined by finely proportioned trim, and by the slight eave overhang and the narrow fascia which read as 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 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 Store/Fish Purchasing Centre was used for a variety of functions and was divided into a retail section and a storage section. The rest of the building was used for the curing, drying and storage of fish. Hatches connected all the floors to permit the raising of goods and fish with the aid of block and tackle. Simple, rough finishes of the interior made it easy to change partitions and doors as required. This character is in keeping with the original use of the building and should be retained. The retail section of the Store has some original shelving and counters which should be retained and restored.

When built, the principal facade of the building was oriented toward the sea. The increased importance of road transportation in the 20th Century later made the south facade the principal public facade. Evidence of both relationships should be maintained as an indication of evolving relationships with the sea.

1994.09.23
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