{{Short description|Historic house in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2026}} thumb|Mallard Cottage Seen in 2012 from Barrows Road '''Mallard Cottage''' is a heritage-designated<ref name=":4" /> building located within Quidi Vidi Village in the City of St.John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The cottage is a one-and-a-half-stories with a hipped roof and central chimney. The architecture is an example of early 19th century vernacular style patterned on Irish thatched-roofed cottages. Though the exact date of construction cannot be confirmed, based on evidence from construction techniques, architectural style, and oral history the date for its construction are placed between 1820 and 1840,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador Mallard Cottage Registered Heritage Structure|url=https://heritagefoundation.ca/heritage-property/mallard-cottage-registered-heritage-structure/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=heritagefoundation.ca}}</ref> making it one of the oldest residential structures in St. John's.<ref name=":4" /> Two other buildings in St.John's of the same style are Anderson House, built 1804–1805,<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Anderson House (42 Powers Court, St. John's)|url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/anderson-house.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> and Martin McNamara House,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Martin McNamara House (15 Plank Road, St. John's)|url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/martin-mcnamara-house.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> exact construction date unknown. These three structures are the best preserved examples of late 18th and early 19th century architecture in St.John's.<ref name=":5" />
== History == Mallard Cottage was built by the Mallard Family, an Irish-immigrant<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mallard Cottage National Historic Site of Canada|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=233|access-date=2020-08-26|website=www.pc.gc.ca|language=en}}</ref> family of fisherfolk and farmers,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=July 2016|title=Mallard Cottage (2 Barrows Road, St. John's)|url=https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/mallard-cottage.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=August 26, 2020|website=Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador}}</ref> who resided in the property from its construction until the early 1980s.<ref name=":1" /> Though the date of construction is unclear there is a transaction shown in the Registry of Deeds dating to 1803 showing an exchange of chattels between a William Mallard, fisherman, and Messrs. Cunningham, Bell, and Co of St. John's.
== Restoration and heritage designation == In 1985 the property was purchased by Peg Magnone. After purchasing, the property underwent major restoration and modernization work.<ref name=":1" /> At the time of purchase the property did not have electricity, running water, or an indoors bathroom.<ref name=":1" /> Great care was taken in the renovation to preserve the historical significance of the property while also making it usable as an antique shop. The cottage was successfully operated as an antiques store from 1985 until it was purchased from Magnone's granddaughter in 2011.
After Mallard Cottage was purchased in 2011, work began on converting it into a restaurant, including an extension at the rear to create additional dining area of 30 square metres.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=St. John's Municipal Council Meeting April 2, 2012|url=http://stjohns.ca/sites/default/files/files/minutes/Regular%20Meeting%20April%202%202012.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> In addition to the extension a major structural overhaul was completed due to the advanced state of deterioration in certain parts of the cottage when it was purchased.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=29th Annual Southcott Awards presented June 25, 2013|url=http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/trident/TheTrident2013Summer.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> For their success in restoring the cottage as close as possible to its original condition, the owners were presented with the Southcott Award in 2013.<ref name=":3" />
Mallard Cottage was designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada in fall 1983,<ref name=":0" /> a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in December 1986<ref name=":1" /> and a Heritage Building by the City of St. John's in 2006.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=City of St. John's Heritage Buildings|url=http://www.stjohns.ca/sites/default/files/files/publication/Heritage%20Bldgs%20October%202019.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922081350/http://www.stjohns.ca/sites/default/files/files/publication/Heritage%20Bldgs%20October%202019.pdf|archive-date=September 22, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2020|website=|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Current usage == Since November 2013, Mallard Cottage has been run as a restaurant.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Mallard Cottage|url=http://mallardcottage.ca/info.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref> Known for their use of local ingredients and culinary inspiration, the restaurant created by chefs Todd Perrin, Kim Doyle and Sommelier Stephen Lee has won many accolades including being ranked the 22nd best restaurant in Canada by Canada's 100 Best in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-03-19|title=Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, Bars and Chefs. {{!}} No. 22: Mallard Cottage|url=https://canadas100best.com/no-22-mallard-cottage-2018/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, Bars and Chefs.|language=en-CA}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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Category:Buildings and structures in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Historic buildings and structures in Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Vernacular architecture in Canada Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 19th century