Description of Historic Place

MLA James Barnes's House is located at on Acadie Street, in Bouctouche, on a large, partially wooded property, formerly part of a farm known for its orchards. The house is a 2 story Greek Revival building with a projecting pedimented central bay.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the James Barnes House as a local historic place lies in its association with the person who lived in it, James Barnes (1842-1925).

Starting out as a leather merchant, he then turned to the lumber industry, farming, the fishing industry, and the railway. He was responsible for the construction of the section of railway from Chipman to Minto. He was also a pioneer in oyster farming in Bouctouche Bay, and his product enjoyed an excellent reputation throughout the country. In 1895, James Barnes was elected as an MLA, a position he held for 13 years.

Source: Kent Museum, 150 Du Couvent Road Bouctouche, N.B.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements associated with the James Barnes House include:
- location on a large treed lot;
- 2 ½ storey structure;
- steeply sloped gable roof;
- symmetry of the openings on the main façade;
- central bay frontispiece with triangular pediment;
- rear section, which is an older building than the main section.