Located in the Heritage District of historic Harbour Grace, Rothesay House is a Queen Ann-style home, originally constructed in 1855 at Brigus for the Mundens, a mercantile family. The home was subsequently acquired by the Munn family, dismantled, transported by schooner, and reconstructed at its current location in Harbour Grace, circa 1906.
With an oceanfront view, Rothesay House offers 4 beautifully appointed guest rooms, each with private bathrooms, some with queen beds and fireplaces.
Come and enjoy a relaxing evening curled up in front of the sitting or parlour room fireplaces. Experience the ambiance of exquisite candlelight and fireplace dining in the Rothesay Dining Room during your stay. Relax on the veranda and watch the boats go by.
Call and reserve and come home to Rothesay House Inn. Before you get here, visit www.rothesay.com.
Location:
P.O. Box 577
34 Water St West
Harbour Grace, NL A0A 2M0
Proprietors:
Lynn & George Butler
t: (709) 596-2268
tf: (877) 596-2268
Rothesay House Website
Rothesay House Facebook
Street Address: 34 Water St West, Harbour Grace, NL
GPS Coordinates: 47.693080, -53.213409
History
Captain Azariah Munden originally constructed Rothesay House in Brigus in 1855. His daughter Elizabeth married Robert Stewart Munn, of Harbour Grace, and the house was later passed to their son, Robert Stewart Munn II.
In 1905 Willis Davis, a merchant, sold a piece of Water Street property to another merchant, Ernest Simmons, in Harbour Grace. Simmons constructed a three-storey dwelling house on part of the land, known as “The Maples” for the large maple trees on the property. He sold the neighbouring parcel of land to Elizabeth Trapnell, wife of Robert Stewart Munn II, for $400.00.
In 1906, after his marriage to Elizabeth Trapnell, Robert had the house dismantled and shipped via schooner to Harbour Grace. This move was responsible for some architectural changes to the house. In its first location it was set upon a high wall at the base of Brigus Harbour. When it was moved to Harbour Grace it was put in a low, flat lot where several structural features were no longer necessary, like pillars, archways and a wide front deck. Upon its reconstruction the pillars and arches were never put back, and the current corner tower was instead constructed.
In 1942 the property was sold to Arthur G. Godden, a prominent local businessman, for $6,000.00. The Godden family lived there until the property was sold in 1995 to Daniel Beniot and Byde Warford, who were responsible for much of its restoration. In 1996 Rothesay House was sold to Ron and Terrilynn Brazil. In 1998 Rothesay House was bought by Lloyd and Maxine White. Lynn and George Butler currently own Rothesay House, operating the House as an inn.
Today, Rothesay House remains a great example of the Queen Anne style of architecture. The house is also noteworthy for its original 1906 garage located at the front of the property, the large mature property with native trees and English-style garden, and the original wrought iron fence surrounding the property.
The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador designated Rothesay House a Registered Heritage Structure in 2005.