Description of Historic Place

The Knowles House is located on a short road directly off the main road in Barrington Passage, Nova Scotia. The small, unadorned house, sits on the top of a small hill facing the ocean. The municipal heritage designation, give July 4, 1984, includes the house and property.

Heritage Value

The Knowles House is valued for its association with Nathaniel Knowles and family; as the oldest house in Barrington Passage; for its local building materials; and its simple utilitarian form.

The house was built in 1787 by Nathaniel Knowles, son of early settler Nathaniel Knowles. Knowles Sr. was originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and a member of the British militia. He had been in the French and Indian War and participated in the capture of the Fortress of Louisbourg. Knowles Jr. married Phebe Kinney and the couple raised their seven children in this home. The home has remained in the Knowles family since its construction.

It is believed that the Knowles House is the oldest in Barrington Passage. Its basic form and massing has not changed since its construction, although some changes such as the addition of a picture window, the removal of the original chimney and vinyl siding obscures the home’s long history. The one-and-one-half storey house sits a top a small hill, reached by a gently winding gravel drive, facing the ocean. The location was no doubt chosen for its strategic view of the ocean and surrounding properties. A large oak tree is located directly in front of the house; its size and age provides a hint of the home’s long history. The framing was hand-cut from trees on the hillside on which the home stands.

Source: Municipality of the District of Barrington, Municipal Heritage Files, Knowles House

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements of the Knowles House include:

- wood frame, constructed using local timber;
- gable roof;
- one-and-one-half storey;
- narrow roof overhang;
- absence of adornments;
- central entrance;
- location a top a small hill;
- large oak tree in front yard;
- all original interior elements.