Formal Recognition Type

Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program

Notes

Alfred Parsons Stage and Store are located on the south island of Change Islands, in Codrick’s Cove (sometimes called Corry’s Cove). These premises were built in the late 1800s by Alfred Parsons. The buildings have stood on the same location for more than a century, despite the rigors of Newfoundland’s sometimes harsh weather. When owners Calvin and Margaret Parsons applied for the heritage preservation grant in 2006 the site required roof work, paint, some clapboard replacement and shoring up of the stage walls. When asked why they applied to the Fisheries Heritage Program they said, “To preserve this wonderful old group of family buildings”. These are the first of their kind in the community of Codrick’s Cove to receive restoration funding for fisheries buildings The store was built in the 1870s as a wooden, two-storey home and later converted to the fisheries building it is today. As a home the building housed Alfred, his wife Eliza and their children. Eventually, their son Alfred John and his wife Elsie moved into the house and raised their family until another house became available nearby. At that time they renovated the old house and lowered the number of stories from two to one-and-a-half. They began using it as a fisheries building and it has continued to be used for that purpose, except for the time in the 1940s when it was used as a schoolhouse. Both buildings are painted with red ochre and have white trim on the wide cornerboards. The gable roofed stage was constructed by Alfred and/or Alfred John in the late 1800s for fisheries purposes, and has remained in use since that time. At the onset of the project the stage had already begun to lean and one of the priorities of the restoration was to straighten it up and make it level. It is constructed in the typical Newfoundland style with exposed beams and timbers and is excellent for storage of various fishing gear. As a result of their careful work the Parsons’ seemed to have inspired other community members. Says Margaret Parsons, “Others are now very enthusiastic about restoring their properties, which would be wonderful, as this community is well known for its lovely old premises”. The Parsons have re-hung their old bark pot and felt it was important to restore the fishing premises in its entirety to achieve its historical look.

Community

Change Islands

Municipality

Town of Change Islands

Civic Address

Parsons Lane, Codrick's Cove

Construction (circa)

1870 - 1900

Builder

Parsons family