Harry Verran was a mining engineer from Cornwall, England who came to Newfoundland in 1857 to work for the American entrepreneur Cyrus Field.

The house has four bedrooms, all with period decor, antique furniture, and co-owner Christopher Newhook's original artwork.

The house incorporates a second empire style of architecture, which was very common in Newfoundland after the great fire of St. John's in 1892.

[5] Due to the rich history of the site and building, it was designated as a Registered Heritage Structure of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2000.

It was one of three structures to receive this status in Placentia, the other two being the St. Luke's Cultural Heritage Centre and the O'Reilly House Museum.