George C. Harris House!
| In 1881 Samuel Harris, Grand Bank
vessel owner and captain, took his schooner, the George C. Harris, to the
Grand Banks to prosecute the bank fishery. The success of this venture was
instrumental in launching a new era in the fishing industry and a new way
of life in Grand Bank.
In 1908, on property purchased from the estate of merchant and magistrate Edward Evans, Samuel built a house as a wedding gift for his son George C. and wife Charlotte (nee Pratt). Located in downtown Grand Bank, along the Heritage Walk and overlooking the harbor, the George C. Harris House is a typical merchant home of the early twentieth century. It is built in the Queen Anne style with classical features including a Juliet balcony and somewhat repressed Ionic capitals on the pilasters. Perhaps the most interesting and romantic aspect is the belvedere, or widow's walk, which was used by captain's wives to watch for ships returning from sea. Underlying the architectural significance of this house and other homes and businesses on the Heritage Walk is a story of a community whose property has always been linked to the sea. George C. Harris became managing director of Samuel Harris Ltd. in 1914. Under his direction the business underwent a period of intense expansion. By the twenties, however, market conditions and unfavorable government regulations for the fishery had imperiled the economic condition of the country. The Harris firm was one of the many causalities of this downturn, declaring bankruptcy in 1923. For a time it appeared the devastation of George C.'s business would spread to his personal life as creditors threatened to take his home. Due to the intervention of family, this outcome was averted. In 1923 and 1924, George C. ran in elections for the House of Assembly in an attempt to force some reform of fisheries legislation. His wife, Charlotte, daughter of Reverend John Pratt and sister of the famous poet E.J. Pratt, was active in the community life. She was an accomplished soprano and a talented artist. George C. and Charlotte Harris died in 1954. Their deaths coincided with the advent of another fishing era in the community. The schooner fishery had been in serious decline for some time. By the 1950's the steel trawler had replaced the wooden schooner and the fresh frozen product far outstripped demand for traditional salted codfish in foreign markets. In 1955, Hazen Russell, founder of Bonavista Cold Storage built a fresh fish processing facility in the town. He purchased the Harris House from the estate for use as a staff house. In the period since 1955 some of the original interior of the House was changed. In 1979 and 1982 the Harris property changed hands again as ownership of the plant transferred from one company to another. In 1992, Fishery Products International closed their processing facility in Grand Bank and the House was transferred to the Town. In 1993, the home of George C. and Charlotte Harris was leased to the Grand Bank Heritage Society for use as a Museum of Local History. With the aid of federal, provincial, and municipal funding as well as considerable support from the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, the ongoing task of restoration was undertaken. As a Museum of Local History, the exhibit portrays domestic life and and cultural pursuits of the community in the period of the bank fishery, 1881-1954. It not only displays the artifacts of the banking schooner era, but also has relics of the homes of yesterday's citizens - dishes, clothing, photos, tools, toys, games, furniture, and books. In 1994, the Grand Bank Heritage Society was presented with the Manning Award for Excellence in the Public Presentation of Historic Places by the Newfoundland Historic Parks Association for restoration work on the George C. Harris House. In 1996, the Grand Bank Heritage Society received the Southcott Award. Location: 16 Water Street, Grand Bank, NF AOE 1WO Season: July through August Contact: Marguerite DeGruchy - Telephone:709-832-1574/1568 Email: grbankheritage@nf.aibn.com We are now featuring "Grand Heritage Crafts" which is located at the Harris House. These crafts are locally produced and include: "Grand Dory" quilts, knitted goods, paintings, photo's, crocheted items, ornaments, post cards and various other items. Stop by and enjoy some tea and buns! |