Sittin' Rock Municipal Heritage Site

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.

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.

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.