GENERAL
Type / PurposePrivate Residence
385 Robinson Street, Moncton, New Brunswick
The Dowd Residence at 385 Robinson Street, Moncton, is a two-story eclectic Colonial/Greek Revival residence with a veranda. There is a small barn behind the property.
The Dowd Residence was originally built at 385 Robinson Street in 1885 for Donald McKinnon, who had recently moved to Moncton from Prince Edward Island with his family. He came to Moncton to find work helping with the construction of the Intercolonial Railway, and he was just one of many to do so. The house is a middle-class single-family dwelling and barn, a type of structure rarely seen in the late 19th century.
In 1907, the house was acquired by William Dowd, and to this day belongs to the Dowd family. Dowd performed minor modifications and renovations on the home in 1914. The additions can be easily spotted by the change from shingle siding to clapboards, and a pillared veranda with a pediment was among the changes. Unlike the Greek Revival style seen in the original elements, these new details consist of Colonial-style architecture.
Municipal Heritage Preservation Act (1996/09/23)
ARCHITECTURE
Date of Constructionc. 1885
Exterior:
- Asymmetrical two-storey eclectic Colonial/Greek Revival-style massing
- Shingle and clapboard siding
- Tuscan corner pilasters
- Single pane window with transoms in sets of one, two, and three
- Veranda with Tuscan pillars, turned spindle balustrade, and pediment
- Rectangular windows with entablatures
- Cross-gable roof with returned eaves
- Gable and pediment dormers
- Moulded eaves with wide fascia boards, lath soffit, and brackets
Interior:
- Retained wallpaper from 1914
- Diamond lattice and stained glass transoms
- Copper beaded light in door
- Brass plate on inside of door reading “Wm M. Dowd”
- Various pieces of oak woodwork
- Retained original staircase with newel post and turned spindle balustrade
- Pressed tin used in walls, ceilings, and cornice
- Retained original hardwood floors
- Moulded baseboards
- Pocket panel doors
Adjacent Barn:
- Location behind main house
- Asymmetrical steep-gabled roof
- Cedar shingle siding
- Corner boards
- Lath doors with pediments
OWNERSHIP HISTORY
Notable Historic OccupantsDonald McKinnon:
Original owner, had the building constructed when he moved to Moncton from Prince Edward Island in 1885. Worked on the construction of the Intercolonial Railway.
William Dowd:
Acquired this residence in 1907. Added some Colonial-style elements to the house, including clapboards and a pillared veranda with a pediment.
SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS
Photos
Photograph by the Moncton Museum, taken from the Canada's Historic Places website
Sources Contributors
Gabrielle Byrne
