Drake House Receives New Historic Plaque

Earlier this month Drake House in Arnold's Cove received a new historic plaque presented by past Heritage NL chair Dave Lough. 

Drake House in Arnold's Cove

While Drake House has been located in Arnold’s Cove for over 50 years and serves an invaluable function as a community museum, it was originally built in the 1890s in the now resettled community of Haystack. Haystack was part of the government-sponsored resettlement program implemented in Newfoundland and Labrador between 1954 and 1975 that resulted in the resettlement of almost 260 communities and the relocation of over 27 thousand people. Drake House, through its history and its current role as a museum, preserves the heritage of our province and teaches us about this important part of our history. The house is also a good example of late 19th century outport architecture built using local, traditional materials.

Frank Drake outside Drake House circa 1941

In 1969, Frank Drake reluctantly had Drake House towed to Arnold’s Cove to its current location, ending permanent settlement at Haystack. The Drake House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by Heritage NL in 2003 due to its social and aesthetic significance. 

Drake House in Haystack

The new plaque reads: This house was built in the Placentia Bay community of Haystack by brothers

George and John Drake. George's son, Frank, became Haystack's last resident following resettlement in the 1950s. He stayed until 1969 when the house was moved to its present site. The house continues to tell the story of resettlement as a community museum.

Drake House plaque

You can learn more about Drake House here.