History
Winsor House was constructed in American Colonial Queen Anne design in 1907
by master carpenter and shipbuilder, Arthur Gillingham for
the honourable Captain William C. Winsor.
The building is of frame construction on a three foot concrete
basement foundation that rests on solid granite. The framework of
the house is bolted ship fashion with a base casing of
tongue and groove lumber, covered by clapboard and cedar
joined with brass nails.
One of the unique features of Winsor House is its second
floor balconies - One overlooking the harbour and another
overlooking the town. The original owner of the house, honourable
Captain William C. Winsor was one of the most outstanding
cod fishermen and sealing captains in Newfoundland.
Captain Winsor was also very active in the Political life
of the colony. He served as Minister of marine and
fisheries in the Sir Robert Bond Government and later
became the Postmaster General for Newfoundland (he was
actually the last person to hold this post prior to the
Commission of Government). He was, in later life, made a
member of the Order of the British Empire for services
rendered to the Crown. Many of Newfoundland's most famous politicians have
stayed and enjoyed the hospitality of this house.
Prime Minister Sir William Whiteway stayed for three days
and was so impressed with its brightness that he used the
plans to build a smaller version of the house in St. John’s
(later to become The Laurier Club). Other significant
visitors; Sir William Morris (Lord Morris), Sir Robert
Bond, Sir Richard Squires, William Coates, and
Joseph R. Smallwood while he was Premier.
Winsor House is the only surviving building of thirteen similar
houses built in Wesleyville between 1840 and 1907. The
house is included in the Canadian Inventory List of Historical
Homes.
Dr. Arthur Diamond, a Medical Pioneer of the area who used
part of the residence for the first surgery in Bonivista North.
Mrs Albert Blackwood, Grandmother of renowned Newfoundland
Artist David Blackwood (the house is featured in many of
David"s paintings).
Captain Thomas Winsor, a prominent Wesleyville Merchant.