Description

Note: First and second pictures taken after restoration, third picture taken before restoration.

Burrage’s Stage was originally the Southern Cove School in Southern Cove, Heart’s Content. The school was built circa 1888/89 and had a small attached chapel. The school housed grades one to six and contained two rooms. All grades were taught in one room, the second room being used only during the winter months. The chapel was only used during the Lenten season. Southern Cove School was closed in 1956 and its students moved to a newer structure in Heart’s Content. Alex Burrage Sr. of New Perlican purchased the rights to dismantle and remove the old school building for the price of $35.00.

During the fall of 1962, the building was dismantled and moved to New Perlican by truck. Some portions were also transported to New Perlican by boat. The building was reassembled in its current location in 1963 for use as a combination twine loft and stage. The lower floor was used for curing salt fish and the upper level for storing fishing equipment. Following the cod moratorium of 1992, this was the only building in New Perlican supporting an active fishing enterprise, which was operated by Alex Burrage’s sons, Gordon and Alex Jr.

The stage was restored in 2008 with the help of the Fisheries Heritage Preservation Program.

Statement of Significance

Location and History

Location

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