Description of Historic Place

Dowd Residence is located on 385 Robinson Street in Moncton. It consists of a 2 story eclectic Colonial/Greek Revival bungalow, a pillared veranda with pediment and a barn.

Heritage Value

Dowd Residence is designated as a Local Historic Place because it is a rare example of a middle-class single family dwelling and barn from the late 19th century.

The original structure consisted of 3 rooms on the 1st floor and 2 rooms on the 2nd floor. It was built for Donald McKinnon and his family in circa 1885 upon their arrival in Moncton from Prince Edward Island. Mr. McKinnon was among the many labourers who moved to Moncton to work on the Intercolonial Railway. This original gabled Greek Revival structure is still apparent within the Colonial-style additions by William Dowd.

William Dowd purchased the house in 1907. He made some additions and renovations to the exterior and the interior of the house in 1914. No other major alterations have been made since then. The shingle siding helps in defining the original building while the clapboard siding and veranda help denote the newest portion.

Since the purchase of the residence by William Dowd in 1907, it has remained in the Dowd family. In 1996, Dowd Residence was designated a Heritage Property through the City of Moncton Heritage Preservation By-Law #Z-1102.

Source: Moncton Museum, Moncton, New Brunswick - second floor files – “385 Robinson”

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the architectural elements of the Dowd Residence include:
- single pane fixed windows with rectangular transom;
- single, paired and triple fenestration;
- moulded returned eaves with wide fascia boards;
- pediment over veranda with paired Tuscan columns;
- gable and pediment dormers breaking the cornice;
- wide lath soffit under eaves and veranda;
- entablatures over windows and doors;
- shingle and clapboard siding with Tuscan corner pilasters;
- turned spindle balustrade on veranda;
- corbel chimney head;
- brackets under eaves;
- asymmetrical massing;
- Petitcodiac River mud packed above the foundation wall between joists;
- cross gable design.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior architecture of the structure include:
- interior layout;
- diamond lattice window transoms;
- copper beaded light in door;
- oak woodwork;
- original staircase with turned spindle balustrade and newel post;
- pressed tin ceilings, cornice and walls;
- stained glass transoms;
- original hardwood floors;
- moulded baseboards;
- wallpaper original to 1914;
- panel pocket doors;
- brass name plate on inside door “Wm M. Dowd”.

The character-defining elements relating to the barn include:
- cedar shingles;
- corner boards;
- windows with entablatures;
- steeply pitched roof;
- pediment over lath doors.