Harbour Grace doubles down on Ridley Offices demolition decision

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

The Town of Harbour Grace is defending it’s decision to demolish the nearly 200-year-old Ridley Office building, despite some negative feedback from residents.

During the June 8 meeting, Mayor Terry Barnes expressed displeasure at cutting remarks lobbied at councillors on social media which he said included insults like “uneducated” and “fools”.

“Don’t throw rocks when you’re living in glass houses,” said Barnes. The Mayor confirmed that Heritage NL inspected Ridley Offices and signed off on the demolition.

Councillor Christina Hearn also touched on the issue later in the meeting,

“Social media has not been kind, but that’s it,” she said. “We’re here to try to help everybody as best we can. There’s no easy answers, and current property owners do have rights, especially when it comes to safety and liability. However, I apologize to the residents of the Town of Harbour Grace with regards to the recent demolition of the Ridley Offices as the public was caught off-guard by not being made aware that this heritage site was being removed. And the community, I personally feel, did have a right to know in advance of what took place.”

Hearn said she did not know demolition permits in the town did not come before public council, and made a motion that, going forward, any demolition permit applications connected to heritage buildings or structures in Harbour Grace come before public council before a decision is made.

“This way, regardless of the decision made, the public will be aware,” she Hearn.

Both councillor Hearn and Mayor Barnes noted, however, that even if the demolition permit had been brought to council for a public vote, the fate of Ridley Office would have remain the same.

Town clerk Nancy Pike interjected that the staff do not have a way of identifying properties as heritage buildings. She suggested that more discussion be had before such a motion was passed. Hearn rescinded the motion, tabling the topic to be further discussed under housing at a later date.

Mayor Barnes, meanwhile, added that while a former owner of the building had publicly criticized the town’s decision, it was owned by a private company when demolition took place.

Barnes queried why the former owner, whom he did not identify by name, did not give the building to the town rather than selling it to a private company if she was so concerned about it’s future.

“That’s all I’ve got to say on that,” he said.

Former owner Rhonda Parsons – whom council did not identify by name during the meeting – said she was heartbroken to learn of the demolition of the historic building which she had herself lived in and renovated over the years.

Born in central Newfoundland, Parsons spent most of her life in Toronto. However, she always had a deep connection to the island, especially to Harbour Grace, where some of her relatives lived.

“As a child, I spent many summers in Harbour Grace with family, especially with my uncle, Wilfred Parsons,” she said. “Those years left a lasting impression on me. I remember the harbour, the old homes, the salt air, the stories, and the unique atmosphere of the Point of Beach.”

Ridley Office, located in the Point of Beach area, is thought to have been built around 1838, and was one of the oldest surviving mercantile structures in Harbour Grace. It was associated with merchant activity related to the fishing and shipping trade, which is a huge part of the town’s history.

“What made Ridley especially unique was not only its age, but also its character and craftsmanship,” said Parsons. “The structure contained original stonework, exposed wood, historic fireplaces, old floors, and architectural details that reflected another era of Newfoundland history.”

For many years Parsons returned to Harbour Grace seasonally, putting time and money into restoring the building and property. Eventually, she returned to Newfoundland permanently, living at Ridley Office while she worked as an instructor at College of the North Atlantic. Her renovation work included restoring rooms, decorating, and researching the building’s history. She says tried to respect Ridley Office’s original character and spirit rather than modernizing it.

 “It became more than a house to me,” said Parsons. “It represented memory, history, creativity, and preservation.”

In addition to renovating Ridley Office, Parsons tried to promote the idea that heritage preservation and tourism could strengthen Harbour Grace both economically and culturally, and said she had discussed the topic with council and other government officials

“I believed Ridley Office had the potential to become an important heritage and tourism site where people could experience part of Newfoundland’s early mercantile and outport history firsthand,” said Parsons.

Parsons now lives in St. John’s, and was devastated to learn about Ridley Office’s recent demolition. It is not the first structure in the Point of Beach area to be lost over the decades. Older homes have been demolished, natural features have been altered, and industrial activity has become more and more prominent.

“What made the loss even harder was knowing how much history had already disappeared from the Point of Beach and Harbour Grace over the years,” Parsons said. “Ridley Office felt like one of the last surviving physical connections to an older Harbour Grace tied closely to the ocean, merchant history, and the town’s architectural heritage.” She says that the town has not just lost a building, but part of its identity.

According to Parsons, the demolition of Ridley Office is an example of a concerning trend when it comes to heritage preservation, particularly in smaller historic communities who may be facing economic strain. “Too often, historic buildings are viewed as burdens or obstacles rather than as cultural and economic assets that could help strengthen tourism, identity, and community pride,” she said.

When asked what changes she would like to see, Parsons said she would like to see heritage preservation treated as an important part of Harbour Grace’s future rather than simply as a burden from the past.

“I believe there needs to be a stronger long-term vision for protecting what still remains of the town’s historic character before more is lost. That includes meaningful support for owners of heritage properties, encouragement for restoration and adaptive reuse projects, stronger awareness of the town’s architectural and cultural significance, and greater collaboration between heritage organizations, government, and the community itself.”

With Ridley Office gone, Parsons hopes conversations about its demolition might make people more aware of the importance of protecting the remaining heritage in both Harbour Grace and Newfoundland in general. She hopes future generations will be able to experience an authentic connection to Harbour Grace’s past not just through photos and books, but surviving buildings, roads, and landscapes.