Description of Historic Place

The William Richards Residence is a Classic Revival two-and-a-half storey home constructed in 1891. It is situated on the south side of the main thoroughfare leading through the Boiestown region of the Rural Community of Upper Miramichi and is located within a grouping of period homes.

Heritage Value

The William Richards Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its first resident. It is a good example of Classical Revival architecture prior to the turn of the 20th century. This style is evident in such classical details as the returned eaves, corner boards with capitals and the window entablatures. It also exhibits a traditional L-shaped plan that is typical of a rural interpretation of this style.

The first resident of this home was William Richards. William was the son of a Welsh immigrant who settled in York County and became involved in the lumber trade. William established himself at Burnt Land Brook, buying the former MacMillan mill site within the community in 1891. Prior to this, he had owned the John Fairley property on the nearby Taxis River and owned lumbering operations on the Nashwaak and lower Miramichi rivers. He was involved with the inception of the rail system which was put in place in the 1880's and opened up the export of lumber on a year-round basis. While situated in Boiestown, he built extensive management and company housing within the community and was the largest employer in the area. He also owned the local general store and was the area's largest merchant. Following his death in 1903, the Miramichi Lumber Company purchased his holdings and continued operations.

Source: Community Office, Rural Community of Upper Miramichi, Site File# 09-04

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the Classical Revival architecture of the William Richards Residence include:
- typical L-shaped two-and-a-half storey massing;
- medium-pitched gable roof;
- clad in wooden clapboards;
- double window shed dormer on side ell;
- wide eaves and returns;
- narrow corner boards with capitals;
- rectangular 2/2 windows with entablatures;
- veranda extending the full length of the front façade with squared supporting posts and low balustered rail;
- painted in contrasting colours.