Purd’s

GENERAL

Type / Purpose

Private Residence

Location

64 Gondola Point Road, Rothesay

Description

Purd's is a small L-shaped Gothic Revival-style house in Rothesay with a steep gable roof and prominent decorative bargeboards.

Heritage Value

Purdy's is a Gothic Revival-style house in Rothesay and is notable for both its creator and its later occupant. It was the first of many beautiful structures built by local master builder Joseph Henderson, who is credited with changing the architectural landscape of Rothesay around the beginning of the 20th century. On its own, Purdy's provides a good if small example of Gothic Revival residential architecture, featuring a steep gabled roof with thick bargeboards along the eaves and an open veranda.

In 1930, the house was acquired by local socialite and activist Dorothy Purdy. The house was nicknamed “Purdy’s” by her friends and has retained the moniker in her memory ever since. Purdy was an only child, raised by her widowed father, and she never married. She is notable for taking an active role during both World Wars and for being the first Provincial Secretary of the New Brunswick Girl Guides.

Heritage Recognition

Municipal Register of Local Historic Places (2008/01/14)

ARCHITECTURE

Date of Construction

1900

Character Defining Elements

- One-and-a-half-storey L-shaped dwelling
- Steep roof with a gable over the entrance and a slimmer one on the ell
- Pinnacles atop both front gables
- Thick bargeboard trim under eaves
- Rectangular windows
- Front veranda

Builder/Building Company

Joseph Henderson

OWNERSHIP HISTORY

Notable Historic Occupants

Dorothy Purdy

SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS

Links/Related Content Photos
Photograph by the Rothesay Living Museum, taken from the Canada's Historic Places website

Sources Contributors

Gabrielle Byrne

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A Ginger Design