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The Fisherman's Store

This fisherman's store is based on a number of buildings in the area, mostly in East Jeddore, that date to before the 1950s and as such can be considered typical. The buildings generally are constructed very simply, no larger than necessary, often using second-hand materials to keep the cost low. A store would almost always be very close to the shore and the fisherman's wharf to minimize the distance gear would have to be carried to go fishing, and the distance the catch would have to be transported if it was being processed in the store.

The ground floor of the store would be used primarily for processing the catch during the summer, holding the supply of salt for salting the fish, and the barrels in which the fish were cured, all under cover and in the shade to minimize spoilage. In the fall, after the fishing season was over and the processed fish sold, the fisherman's boat and heavier gear such as anchors, traps and buoys would be stored on the ground floor for the winter. In early spring, the boat could be prepared for the coming season undercover while the weather was still bad.

The second floor was usually quite low because it would be usedmostly during the winter months and the less space to heat the better. While the ground floor was often damp, the second floor would be dry because it was well above round level, and the sun shining on the roof would heat the relatively small space, keeping it hot and dry during the summer months. A dry area was very important beforethe introduction of nylon and polyester twines and nets, because cotton, the material in use in the 1940s, easily rotted if it was stored in damp conditions. The second floor, therefore, was primarily an area where fishing gear was repaired, and new gear, such as lobster traps were made.

This replica was created by salvaging a c. 1950 garage from Clam Bayand building a new level beneath it to create a typical two-storey building