Firshade

Firshade is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and its association with the Fairweather family.

Firshade is recognized for its architecture. It is unclear when the house was built, but it seems to have been built in two different sections, the first dating back to the 1850’s. It is a beautiful example of a Picturesque Gothic Revival style house, with a steeply pitched gabled roof, adorned with finials and gingerbread detailing. It was probably built by William Davidson, and purchased by George King, a Saint John shipbuilder. Rothesay Master Builder Joseph Henderson made significant renovations in 1914. Among the oldest and most intimate features of the house is a window with the name George King's wife, “Sarah King”, delicately, almost imperceptibly etched into the pane of glass. The signature has been carefully preserved over the years. The house is located on well-manicured grounds which include the grove of fir trees for which the house was named.

Firshade is also recognized for its associations with the Fairweather family. Arthur Clarence Fairweather bought the house on March 1, 1881. It operated as a hobby farm on the grounds, which originally spanned about 170 acres. After Arthur’s death, Percy Fairweather and his three unmarried sisters inherited the house.