Description of Historic Place

The Bartlett/Burke House, built around 1830, is a two and one half storeyed house with a mid pitched roof and dormers located in Brigus, Conception Bay, NL. The designation is restricted to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Bartlett/Burke House is designated because of its aesthetic significance and historical associations.
Aesthetically, the building is unique in that it defies the rules of nineteenth century design by employing an asymmetrical front facade. The middle window of the three bayed facade and the porch beneath this window are placed slightly off-centre. This lack of symmetry is continued on the two gable ends. A unique interior feature is the intact large open fireplace on the main floor, which was common in the homes of many early permanent settlers to the area, but of which there are few remaining examples.

The building is historically important because of its association with the Bartlett’s, a successful and influential family in Brigus during the late1800s and early 1900s. Abram, a successful sealing captain, was the first Bartlett to live in the home. He was followed by his son John, the first of many Bartlett’s to become involved in Arctic exploration and a member of the House of Assembly. John’s son Moses, like many Bartlett’s before him, was also a sealing captain, a skipper of fishing schooners and commander of Arctic expeditions.
Source: Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property designation file M-037-015, Brigus - Bartlett/Burke House

Character-Defining Elements

-number of storeys;
-mid pitch roof;
-return on eaves;
-single central dormer window on either side roof;
-dormer placement and style;
-dormer window size, style, trim and placement;
-wooden roof shingles;
-corner boards;
-window size, style, trim and placement;
-location of porch on front facade;
-rounded roof on porch;
-size, style, trim and placement of windows in porch;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior doors;
-chimney style and placement;
-stone wall foundation;
-large open fireplace;
-dimension, location and orientation of building;