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The Barn

1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada

Formally Recognized: 2010/01/11

The Barn today as the Ells Funeral Home; Grand Manan Historical Society
The Barn in winter, 2010
The Barn and house in the 1950's; Ells Family
The Barn, ca. 1950
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Other Name(s)

The Barn
Ells Funeral Home
Maison funéraire Ells
Barn Workshop
Barn Workshop
Al's Oasis
Al's Oasis

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1899/01/01 to 1902/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2010/03/17

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Barn is located on Route 776 directly beside the Bank of Nova Scotia. It is a two-and-a-half storey barn outbuilding with a traditional gambrel roof from the turn of the 20th century. The front area is all paved for the funeral home that operates out of the barn at this time. The original homestead is still beside The Barn and the land between the house and the barn is also paved.

Heritage Value

The Barn on Grand Manan Island is designated a Local Historic Place for being an excellent example of barn outbuilding architecture from the turn of the 20th century. Built as a barn in 1899-1902, it maintains many traditional features such as the gambrel roof, cedar shingle siding and massive rectangular plan.

The Barn has been renovated several times in order to serve many different functions, thus remaining an integral part of the community over time. It was built by Albert and Susan Wooster and has remained in the Wooster family. In 1947, it was converted into a restaurant by Ruth Wooster. Many residents would pass an evening by going to the movies and dining at this restaurant. A few years later, she renovated the rooms upstairs as a bed and breakfast. It was called ‘The Barn’ circa 1966. Later, Ruth’s husband Steve Hamilton operated a marine electronic workshop here called “The Barn Workshop”. Allan Ashfield had a flower shop in The Barn called “Al’s Oasis”. Currently, The Barn is the home to “Ells Funeral Home” which was started in 1982 in part by a Wooster descendant. The rooms upstairs have been made into apartments.

Source: Grand Manan Archives - Local Historic Places files

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe The Barn include:
- voluminous rectangular two-and-a-half storey massing;
- gambrel roof;
- cedar shingle siding;
- proximity to the original homestead;
- views of Grand Harbour Bay.

The character-defining elements relating to the interior include:
- interior spatial arrangement reflecting multiple commercial uses over the years.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Local Historic Places Program

Recognition Type

Municipal Register of Local Historic Places

Recognition Date

2010/01/11

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1947/01/01 to 1947/01/01
1982/01/01 to 1982/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Developing Economies
Trade and Commerce
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design
Peopling the Land
Settlement

Function - Category and Type

Current

Religion, Ritual and Funeral
Mortuary Site, Cemetery or Enclosure

Historic

Commerce / Commercial Services
Hotel, Motel or Inn
Commerce / Commercial Services
Eating or Drinking Establishment
Commerce / Commercial Services
Shop or Wholesale Establishment
Food Supply
Barn, Stable or Other Animal Housing

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

Albert Wooster (with family and friends)

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Grand Manan Archives, 1141 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

2025

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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