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(Photo circa 1950)
History of the Adams’ Home
The house can be described as a modified “salt box”, with a second story and a steep gabled roof. The original section was built by William Adams circa 1890. The first extension was constructed by Henry Adams, with the help of his father, just prior to his marriage in 1913. When his son, Ross, married in 1938, another extension was built on the house to accommodate a kitchen and pantry for his family. The two families shared the upstairs bedrooms. At its’ prime, the Adams property comprised 13 buildings, including work shops, a general store, fish storage and stages, a stable and bunk house. The Adams’ home was the “social hub” in the community and also provided lodging for the visiting doctors, nurses, magistrates, clergy and the Newfoundland Rangers (RCMP).
The Adams’ home was the first in the area to have running water and a septic system. Ross salvaged pipes from a steamer after a shipwreck in 1947. He and his fishing crew dug a well and trench and laid the salvaged pipes. The Adams’ kitchen housed the first phone in the area because Ross cut and erected the poles and strung the wire himself. Though Ross and his family moved away from the home in 1955, his parents continued to reside there until their deaths in 1967 and 1970. Subsequently, the house was used for temporary periods by various members of the Adams family as a summer “retreat”.
By 1989, without regular maintenance, much of the home had suffered the ravages of the harsh climate and vacancy. The house needed massive restoration. In 1990-91, David, Ross’ younger son, with some naivety but great motivation, undertook the daunting task of restoration.
Restoration of the Adams’ Home
David and his wife, Barbara, were determined to realize their dream of seeing the old home restored to health again, though to some it looked like a hopeless case. The cost of such an undertaking seemed prohibitive and caused much anxiety until, in 1989, the seed of developing a bed and breakfast was planted. Employing the skills of Jim Bessey and another childhood friend, the structural reconstruction of the home began in the spring of 1990.
The plan was to restore the house in the same manner as the original home and in accordance with the standards of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. All the exterior boards on the northern and eastern side required replacing as well as most of the boards, including “sleepers” of the first level flooring. Much of the roofing also needed replacing before the addition of wooden shingles, a feature of the original house.
To make the conversion from a private home to the temporary home of many future guests required numerous hours of planning and “hands on” work by the owners. The interior walls, ceilings and second level flooring were structurally sound, however, everything required stripping down to the bare boards before the finished surface could be prepared. As the home did not previously have electricity, it was often a puzzle to configure the wiring, trying to make it as inconspicuous as possible. A second bathroom also needed to be added. Fortunately, the kitchen loft provided ample room. Of course, new plumbing and an entirely new septic system needed to be installed. In addition, an artesian well was dug providing a good supply of excellent drinking water. During the summer of 1990, David and Barbara did all the interior decorating, trying to keep the style consistent with that of the time of the earlier home. During the winter of 1990/91, they were busy in St. John’s refinishing furniture and sewing quilts and curtains in readiness for the opening of the Tickle Inn in July 1991. The bedrooms and the parlour have been restored to much the same as they were when used by the Adams family.
Since that day when the spark to restore the home was ignited, the Adams, along with the enthusiasm and competence provided by Sophie Bessey, continue the tradition of welcoming guests to this wonderful home.
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