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In 1997 the non-profit Newfoundland Historic Trust and its supporters started work to restore the Newman Wine Vaults at 436 Water Street, St. John's. The goal of the Newfoundland Historic Trust was to open this site, the only historic wine Vaults in Newfoundland and Labrador, to the public as an interpreted, multi-use, historic site.2
Newman Wine Vaults Provincial Historic Site, Water Street, St. John's.20 July 2005
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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The somewhat mysterious Newman Wine Vaults at 436 Water Street is one of the oldest structures in St. John's, though the exact date of its construction remains unknown. The earliest record of the building appears on an 1807 map of St. John's. Archeologists working within the confines of the structure in the 1970's found tobacco pipes dating to the 1780's, indicating that the Vaults may have been built in the eighteenth century.4
Newman and Company sign over the main door of the Vaults.1 August 2005
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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The Vaults site has further historical significance because of its association with Newman & Company, an English mercantile firm which operated in Newfoundland from the mid 1500's to the early 1900's. While the bulk of their business ventures concentrated on the cod fishery, Newman and Company were also involved in the wine trade.6
Mural of the Newman Company's Barquantine.1887
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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Legend has it that in 1679 a Newman & Company vessel bound from Portugal to London with a port wine cargo was chased off course by French pirates and foul weather. The crew sought refuge at the Newman fishery plantations in Newfoundland. They spent the winter on the island and finally made it to London in the following spring. There it was noted that the port had acquired a smoother flavour. Taking advantage of this alchemy, the Newman Company continued to send vast quantities of port to mature in Newfoundland. The Vaults served as the central location for that practice for many years.8
Interior view of the Vaults, rubble included, prior to restoration work, circa 1997.1890
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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The Newman Wine Vaults became a Provincial Registered Heritage Structure in 1997, and was officially opened to the public as an interpreted historic site in 2002. Up to that point, the structure had largely been in a state of neglect for over twenty years, used only as overflow storage space for the provincial museum. The two hundred year-old vaults were filled with cabinets, chairs, used lumber, a straw mattress and a beaver dam!10
The interior of the main doors to the Newman Wine Vaults.1910
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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The main front doors to the Vaults had not been opened in many years and were rusted into place. Representatives of the non-profit Newfoundland Historic Trust had to force their way through to launch their rescue and restoration efforts. Once inside, they found that parts of the Vaults were crumbling and in a state of disrepair.12
Inside the north vault.1800
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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The Newman Wine Vaults as the site currently exists, is essentially a structure within a structure. The inner, and oldest, part of the structure is the vaults themselves. Built in the early nineteenth century, the vaults consist of two large rooms constructed of stone and fired red brick. The bricks are tapered to fit the curve of the vault and are bound in place with lime mortar made from seashells. There is also a small room with a gothic door at the east end the of structure.14
Warehouse interior photo showing the various materials used in its construction.1900
Newman Wine Vaults, St. John's, NL
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