Harris Cottage

Harris Cottage has been designated because of it aesthetic, historical and cultural value.

Harris Cottage has aesthetic value as its serves as an example of an earlier architectural style of residential property in St. John’s, particularly those built following fires in the early nineteenth century. The Cottage has further aesthetic value as it stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of William Harris, carpenter and master builder, who constructed many homes in the surrounding neighbourhood, a section of the city known Georgestown.

Harris Cottage has historical value as it is one of the oldest intact residential buildings in St. John’s. It is also associated with the building of Georgestown, an area of the city which was developed, following devastating fires of the early nineteenth century, to escape the congestion of the downtown core. Of further historical note is the cottage’s association with the Harris family, as members of this family became noted builders in St. John’s.

Harris Cottage has cultural value as it is a physical reminder of an earlier time and place, specifically the development of separate, distinguishable residential areas in St. John’s. Unlike other buildings in the area, Harris Cottage is set back from the street, a reminder of how properties in this location would have been situated when Georgestown was initially developed.