Rorke Stores Museum and Loft

The firm that became John Rorke & Sons was Carbonear's longest lived business. Not only a merchant family, the Rorke business extended to other enterprises, including coal dealing, coopering, sail making and shipbuilding.

In 1838 John Rorke from Athlone, Ireland, purchased the old English firm of Slade, Elson & Co. in Carbonear and founded John Rorke & Sons, which would go on become the town's longest lived merchant business.

The exhibit at Rorke Store Museum chronicles the history of the Rorke's business and of the people of Carbonear. An array of images and original artifacts tell the story of the generations-old connection to the Labrador fishery from the days of the merchant to the life of the stationer.


Season: 10 am - 5pm, Will accommodate groups on off hours

Location: Historic Water Street, Carbonear

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 999
Carbonear, NL,
A1Y 1C5

Telephone: 709-596-4949

Fax: 709-596-4904

Email Address: rorkestore@nf.sympatico.ca