Sittin' Rock Municipal Heritage Site
New Perlican, Newfoundland and Labrador, A0B, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2008/06/10
Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2009/10/08
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Sittin’ Rock (or Sitting Rock) is located on the east side of New Road in New Perlican, NL. It is a granite rock resembling a chair-like structure that is large enough for 3 or 4 people to sit on. The designation is confined to the footprint of the landscape feature known as Sittin’ Rock.
Heritage Value
Sittin’ Rock has been designated a municipal heritage site by the Town of New Perlican because of its aesthetic and cultural values.
Sittin’ Rock has aesthetic value as it is a prominent landmark in the community. It is a well-known landmark along New Road, which was a traditional inland route to the neighbouring community of Heart’s Content. For decades the road was little more than a cart path. New Road was considered a possible route for a larger highway but was abandoned in favour of the current highway, Route 80. Older people in the community say that Sittin’ Rock was always situated along New Road – that it is a natural rock formation, although it has also been suggested that Sittin’ Rock was formed during blasting operations. Regardless of its origins, Sittin’ Rock is a special landscape feature along New Road.
Sittin’ Rock has cultural value for generations of New Perlican residents who have a shared recollection of the cultural use of Sittin’ Rock. Its shape meant that the rock was a popular site to take a rest along the road when walking from place to place. In addition, Sittin’ Rock is well-known, especially among older residents of New Perlican, as an old courtship site. As it was a popular rendezvous site, it is said that many kisses have been exchanged on this granite chair.
Source: Town of New Perlican Regular Council Meeting Motion #2008-65 June 10, 2008.
Character-Defining Elements
All those elements which represent the aesthetic and cultural value of Sittin’ Rock, including:
-location, orientation and dimensions of Sittin’ Rock;
-natural granite material;
-form being like that of a chair or bench;
-unobstructed view of Sittin’ Rock from New Road, and;
-continued public access to Sittin’ Rock.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Newfoundland and Labrador
Recognition Authority
NL Municipality
Recognition Statute
Municipalities Act
Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Building, Structure or Land
Recognition Date
2008/06/10
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
2008/01/01 to 2008/01/01
Theme - Category and Type
- Peopling the Land
- People and the Environment
Function - Category and Type
Current
Historic
- Environment
- Nature Element
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
1 Springdale Street
St. John's, NL A1C 5V5
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
NL-4356
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a