The Bleak House was built between 1826 to 1827 for John, David, and Robert Slade of Poole, England, as a dwelling for John Slade & Co.’s Fogo Harbour fishing premises. They operated from Fogo until 1867, and in 1870, the premises were transferred to John W. Owen, a former bookkeeper. His partner, Henry J. Earle, seems to have managed the Fogo premises, and in 1897, bought it to operate his own business. The Earles ran a successful business at the premises until 1967 when the fishery collapsed, but Bleak House remained in their possession until 1983 when they donated it to the Fogo Town Council. Today, the house is a museum, filled with artifacts that depict life in Fogo through the 19th and 20th centuries.

The house’s style, location and size is representative of the influence and importance of the families that occupied it. The house was the first structure to be restored through the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s restoration program and has been open to the public since 1988.

The Bleak House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1985. It’s also been designated a Municipal Heritage Building.