In 1906 Tom Brown built a large log house with 17 rooms for Lord Northcliffe and his visitors. Then in the spring and summer of 1909, with the help of 300 men, Tom Brown built the Grand Falls House right next to the Log House (also known as the Fore House). Lord Northcliffe was so impressed that Mr Brown had the Grand Falls House ready for his arrival for the opening of his paper mill, that he gave Mr. Brown a handsome pocket watch. Grand Falls House was built in the Tudor style, similiar to many English country houses. The fireplaces found in each room were built of local stone by local artisans. The house is still owned by Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and it is used as a company guest house. That’s where Viscount Rothermere and Major Harmsworth stayed this year when they were here for the Centennial Celebrations. Oh, and Corey Boone's aunt works there. She was polishing a beautiful tea set when we toured the Grand Falls House.
Before my four classmates and I explored the house we walked around the grounds. The house is surrounded by white birch trees, and on the front there is a wonderful view of the Exploits River. Off to one side of the house are some steps leading down to the river. These steps are the only sign of the old Log House left. The steps would have led you to the front door of the old Log House. The old Log House had to be torn down in 1938 because it was no longer in use and it was falling apart. During the Founders' Day Celebrations it was announced that Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. has donated a piece of land on Scott Avenue to the Heritage Society. The Society is going to construct a replica of the old Log House, and it will be the new home for the Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Centre.
We were able to explore all three levels of the house. Some rooms we could not see because they are still renovating. As you go up the first set of stairs there is a little ledge with a window that lets you look down into the living room. Mrs. Oldford told us that this was for Lady Northcliffe. She liked to know who was visiting her before she met them. She was kind of shy. When we were on the third floor some of the rooms had sloping roofs. I would like to have one of those rooms. There were all kinds of antique furniture throughout the house. We were allowed to sit on some of the beds. One thing we noticed was that all the doorknobs were really low on the doors. When I met Viscount Rothermere at the Founders’ Day Parade I asked him why the doorknobs were so low and he replied, “For you to open them more easily.” I also got to meet Major Harmsworth that day. They were both nice. Major Harmsworth brought caps all the way from England for everyone in my class with the name of their newspaper, The Daily Mail, written on them. It was very kind of him to do that. Now, all the students in my class have a great souvenir to remind us of the wonderful way our town celebrated its 100th birthday in 2005.
Madison Haggett (2004-2005)