Carbonear Heritage Society

Carbonear Heritage Society Thanks for visiting

With its landmark island, its harbour and its streetscapes, Carbonear boasts beautiful vernacular architecture, so in 1979, when it appeared that possibly one of its historic properties was being sold and its fate undecided, a group of concerned citizens met and made a commitment to protect and preserve the heritage of their town. On February 19th, 1979, the Carbonear Heritage Society was formed with an affirmation 'to protect and preserve Carbonear's natural and built heritage'.

Seen before but worth looking again. Carbonear looking North from the “Saddle Hill”!There was not much on the South Side...
06/24/2026

Seen before but worth looking again. Carbonear looking North from the “Saddle Hill”!

There was not much on the South Side back when there were taken.

Bowling at the Orange Lodge The Orange Lodge was once a central gathering place in Carbonear. While it hosted monthly me...
06/22/2026

Bowling at the Orange Lodge

The Orange Lodge was once a central gathering place in Carbonear. While it hosted monthly meetings, it was also well known for its bowling alley, located downstairs. Long before mechanized pinsetters, bowlers rolled their balls down the lane while attendants manually reset the pins after each frame.
Thanks to Carol Moores, we can now share a collection of bowling record sheets and timesheets kept by her mother, Mrs. Melvina Moores, dating from the 1940s. Carol has also donated several bowling trophies that Mrs. Moores treasured throughout her life. These important pieces of local bowling history will now be preserved at the Old Post Office Museum.

06/22/2026

22 June 1919, SV Callidora was destroyed by fire in the "stream" at Carbonear. The British barquentine was built in 1901 and owned by John Rorke and sons for almost 20 years.
Carbonear Heritage Society

Can you name these people? The Keneally House on Patrick Street has been part of Carbonear’s history since the 1830s or ...
06/18/2026

Can you name these people?

The Keneally House on Patrick Street has been part of Carbonear’s history since the 1830s or 1840s. The new owner, Thomas Hyde, has asked if anyone can help identify the people in the following two photographs found in the house. Are they part of the Keneally’s or another family?

Thomas would love to create a Keneally family tree, or perhaps dedicate a wall in the house to the Keneally family and their remarkable history. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had much luck tracking down descendants or identifying the people in these photographs.

If you recognize anyone, have family stories, old photographs, or any information about the Keneally family, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Every small piece of information could help preserve the history of this remarkable home.

https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/society/keneally-house.php

We are delighted to unveil our 7th History Board in Carbonear!More than two years ago, the Carbonear Heritage Society se...
06/17/2026

We are delighted to unveil our 7th History Board in Carbonear!

More than two years ago, the Carbonear Heritage Society set out to uncover the story behind Tucker’s Lane. After two winters of research, that story has now been brought to life through our newest historical storyboard, revealing how this well-known lane received its name.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Town of Carbonear especially our town representative Deputy Mayor Fred Earle for having the sign installed and to Liam Rowe, a former Heritage Society summer student, whose excellent design transformed our research into an engaging and lasting display.

A very special thank you goes to Barb Bishop a member of the Carbonear Heritage Society and a resident of Tucker’s Lane, whose suggestion to create a history board for the lane inspired this entire project. We’re thrilled to see her idea become a reality.

We’re also honoured that Kenny Tucker, one of the Tucker family members still living on the lane, was able to join us for the unveiling. Fittingly, Kenny is also featured in one of the historic photographs on the storyboard, creating a wonderful connection between the lane’s past and present.

This is now the 7th History Board installed by the Carbonear Heritage Society, and each one helps preserve another piece of our town’s remarkable story. We hope residents and visitors alike will stop, read, and discover the people, places, and events that have shaped Carbonear over the centuries.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible. Together, we are preserving Carbonear’s history—one story at a time.


Wanted We are looking for the original version of this photograph, or at least a clear, high-resolution digital copy tha...
06/17/2026

Wanted

We are looking for the original version of this photograph, or at least a clear, high-resolution digital copy that can be enlarged to reveal more detail.

If you have a copy, or know someone who might, please send us a message. We’d be very grateful for your help in preserving this piece of our community’s history.

Names lost to time !This was found in an old photo album that belonged to Georgiana Guy Tucker ( 1858-1949 ). The peopl...
06/16/2026

Names lost to time !

This was found in an old photo album that belonged to Georgiana Guy Tucker ( 1858-1949 ). The people could be from here or Boston where she and her husband Walter Tucker had a winter home.

Do you have these faces in your family tree?

An old picture looking SW down water Street. Maybe in the 1950’s??
06/15/2026

An old picture looking SW down water Street. Maybe in the 1950’s??

A 236 year old headstone in Carbonear!Carbonear’s cemeteries and graveyards are among some of the oldest in North Ameri...
06/13/2026

A 236 year old headstone in Carbonear!

Carbonear’s cemeteries and graveyards are among some of the oldest in North America. Here we have one from 1790 at Bethany United Cemetery.

Is this surname “Tocque” still around Newfoundland today?

Mary Tocque (c. 1766–1790) was an early resident of Carbonear and the wife of merchant Philip Tocque. Although few details of her life have survived, her gravestone tells us that she died on December 20, 1790, at just 24 years of age. She lived during a time when Carbonear was emerging as one of Newfoundland’s leading commercial centres.

Mary was part of the Tocque family, a name that would become well known in the history of Carbonear and Newfoundland. Through commerce, shipping, and community leadership, the Tocques helped shape the growth of the town and the region. Today, Mary’s gravestone remains one of the oldest surviving memorials in Carbonear, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives, challenges, and losses experienced by Newfoundland’s early settlers.

Though history has preserved only a few facts about her life, Mary Tocque’s resting place continues to connect us with Carbonear’s earliest generations and the families who helped build the community we know today.



Address

182 Water Street
Carbonear, NL
A1Y1A9

Telephone

+17095961282

Website

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