Built just three years prior, in 1878, the house was damaged by the fire, but was repairable and has thus survived. Classic Revival in style, the house has strong Italianate influences, most notably the 180 brackets sprinkled about the exterior. They can be found everywhere one might expect to see one, including under the eaves, the window hoods and under the eaves around the front bay window and the small portico at the entrance, supported by round wood columns.
Below, the house rests on a field stone foundation while above, it retains its original pressed tin roof. Between, the building appears to have retained essentially all of its wookwork, such as clapboard siding, heavy corner boards window hoods, lintels, frames and sills.
The house has led an interesting life as a church rectory, law office, RCMP Garrison, residence, bar & restaurant and, for a few years, a derelict. Today the house has been repurposed as a
Bed & Breakfast with four spacious guest rooms. A quick description of the B&B follows.
Each of our four spacious guestrooms is tastefully decorated with there own individual character. The ensuite or private baths have all the amenities you may have forgotten as well as housecoats and slippers. All our rooms have Wireless Internet Access, Cable TV with DVD players and air conditioning. Browse our selection of current movies, relax with a book in the library or enjoy the deck in our private courtyard.
Gourmet breakfast served in the dining room with a view of the St’ John river. Weather permitting, have your breakfast served outdoors in our secluded courtyard. Our specialty Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict is served with a selection of fresh fruit and homemade loaves and homemade jam. Other breakfast entrees may be Pancakes with sautéed bananas and walnuts with New Brunswick Maple syrup or an omelets with New Brunswick scallops and shrimp served with our signature Buttermilk Biscuits. Of course juice, tea and coffee are included.
Today’s Bennett House was built in 1878 as the rectory and home of the First ArchDeacon of the Anglican Church for the Fredericton Diocese in Carleton County.
An unfortunate fire destroyed 20 properties in Woodstock in the great fire of 1881. The interior of Bennett House was destroyed in the fire. Because of its unique construction, the exterior was saved and the home rebuilt. An insurance claim was issued for the princely sum of $1960.00.
The home was sold to a prominent local lawyer around 1900. The stunning floor to ceiling leaded glass bookcase in our library was moved from the Connell House (National Historic Site C1839). He ran his practice from the library and main room of the home until 1920 when the home was then sold to the Winslow family.
The building operated as the RCMP Garrison from 1920 until 1935 when the then Liberal Federal Government did not renew the lease, as a prominent Tory owned the building. The hayloft is still there and the stables were converted into living quarters for the owners.
The building became the residence of the Winslow family from 1935 on and stayed in the family through generations until sold in the late 1980’s to another prominent Woodstock resident. It was operated as a bar-restaurant for a few years but sadly was neglected and vacant for three years before we acquired it.
From the Bennett House B&B