John Wyse House

GENERAL

Alternate Titles

Wyse Hotel, Wyse House

Type / Purpose

Private Residence, Hotel, Store, Meeting Place, School

Location

77 Shore Drive, Miramichi, New Brunswick

Description

The John Wyse House is a one-and-a-half-storey Georgian stone cottage by the Miramichi River in the former Village of Douglastown, now a part of the City of Miramichi.

Heritage Value

Built of stone and being Georgian in form, John Wyse House is oldest known structure in the City of Miramichi. It was erected by Scottish emigrant farmer and ferry operator John Wyse sometime prior to the Miramichi Fire of 1825, making it over 200 years old.

Over the years, the John Wyse House has served multiple purposes. At various times, the building was operated as a tavern, a hotel, a shop, a place for coroners' inquests, and a meeting place. In 1842, it became a girls-only school for Douglastown children, with John's daughter Susan acting as one of the teachers.

The building is also notable for its role in the infamous "Fighting Election of 1843". In April of 1843, two meetings leading up to the election were held at the building. At the time, political tensions were running high due to the intense rivalry between opponents John T. Williston and John Ambrose Street. In July of that years, a riot broke out between the men's supporters, resulting in a voter's death after they were hit by a rock. Ultimately, the seat would be given to John Ambrose Street.

Heritage Recognition

Community Planning Act Local Register (2005/05/26)

ARCHITECTURE

Date of Construction

Sometime before the Miramichi Fire of 1825

Character Defining Elements

Exterior:
- One-and-a-half-storey Georgian rectangular massing
- Location overlooking the Miramichi River and former ferry landing.
- Symmetrical front façade
- Side-gabled roof with small gabled dormers, two on the front and two on the back
- Retained original fanlight over central entrance
- Elliptical lintel over the fanlight, with the word '1820' engraved into it
- Door to cellar on side of building
- Even course stone walls

Interior:
- Large rooms
- Retained original plaster and moulding, with box panel moulding around the windows
- Retained original six panel doors
- Mantelpiece trim with highly detailed decoration

Builder/Building Company

John Wyse

OWNERSHIP HISTORY

Notable Historic Occupants

John Wyse:
Builder and original owner. He was a Scottish emigrant, a farmer, and a ferry operator.

Susan Wyse:
John's daughter, taught at the building during its time as a girls-only school in 1842.

SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

Links/Related Content Photos

City of Miramichi, Canada's Historic Places

Sources Contributors

Gabrielle Byrne

Copyright 2023