The residents of Tilting, Fogo Island believe that the Lane House is the oldest structure in the community. The original house was built by Augustine McNamara, who came from Ireland in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Several owners held it before Mr. Lawrence "Lar" Lane acquired it in 1929. According to Robert Mellin, the exterior appearance of older houses in Tilting cannot often be relied upon to give an indication of the original house types in this northeast coast community. Houses were often changed over the years: roofs were cut down and changed from a gable roof to a low pitch roof, or cut down from two stories to one. Stairs were often relocated, and additions or renovations were made which transformed the house.

In this restoration, an attempt was made to demonstrate to the viewer the ability to preserve some of the features of the original structure. Outside, deteriorating asphalt shingles on the roof were replaced with wooden shingles. All clapboards, trim, soffits, and eaves were replaced, and inappropriate windows were replaced by the more historically-correct two-over two on the ground floor, and a unique one-by-one on the second floor, all constructed of wood in traditional patterns by craftsman James Youden, of St. John's.

Peeling paint was removed from trim and exposed floor joists. The semi-circular winding staircase had fallen into decay and badly lacked paint and stain, but it was repainted and its rail restored. The handrail collides with and intersects the ladder to the attic. According to architect Robert Mellin,"the builder could have simplified construction by compromising one of these two elements, but he chose to demonstrate his skill and carefully wove the two together." Inside, the attic of the house reveals that the structure had at one time been transformed by placing a centre-hall plan for the second floor on top of a hall-and parlour plan house.

The Lane House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1994. It was restored by the Tilting Expatriates Association with the assistance of a grant from the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. Robert Mellin donated architectural consulting assistance during the planning and restoration process. Artifacts and exhibits have been collected, and the house is now open to the public as a museum during the summertime. It stands as a testament to the dedication of a group of volunteers who wish to preserve and commemorate their community's history, and presents the best of our culture to visitors so that they may understand our unique culture and way of life.