As a charity dedicated to preserving local history, the Cow Head Conservation & Heritage Committee’s goal is to enhance and preserve the cultural sites of the community of Cow Head and keep knowledge of local history alive. The committee’s Connecting through Culture project entails creating a haunted walk at the site of the infamous Double Axe Murder which occurred at Shallow Bay in 1809, before Cow Head was settled. An exhibit telling the story, including the axe itself, is housed at the Dr. Henry N. Payne Community Museum. The story has been developed into a play by Theatre Newfoundland Labrador for the Gros Morne Theatre Festival and will be enhanced by the haunted walk created by local artists Stephanie and Daniel Payne.
This project showcases the theme Connecting through Culture by connecting people, place and community through culture and telling our stories. As a participatory cultural experience, it can be enjoyed virtually and by visitors. The walk will bring the story to life as it is told by local storyteller Cameron Brake as he leads you with lanterns in hand to the gruesome spot where the bodies were found and then back to the Museum to the view the infamous axe.
To read more about the Dr. Henry N. Payne Community Museum, visit their Facebook page. Connect to Gros Morne Fall Fest through their website or Facebook page.