Meet Katie Crane!

 

Katie Crane will be a mentor on Public Folklore at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Katie Crane is a PhD candidate in Folklore at Memorial University, analyzing the reasons why people in Newfoundland and Labrador are interested in the care for historic cemeteries. She holds an MA in Public Sector Folklore from Memorial University and has worked for museums and heritage organizations such as the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum, Heritage NL, and Admiralty House Communications Museum.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Speaker Introduction- Elsa Flack

Elsa Flack will be a speaker for our genealogy panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre. 

 Elsa Flack is a certified genealogist. For many years, she has provided genealogical research services. In 1987, the Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes awarded Elsa the professional designation, Certified Genealogist (Canada).  

Elsa has volunteered with several heritage organizations, including: the Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Portugal Cove – St. Philips Heritage Advisory Board, and the Town of Gaultois. She was also chairperson for “Peace by Piece - Quilted Memories of Newfoundland in the Great War”.

Elsa was the founding president of the Family History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, then called the Genealogical Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, for which she was inducted into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007. 

She was the chair of the committee which created the exhibit "Peace by Piece - Quilted Memories of Newfoundland in the Great War". The project involved hundreds of volunteers who made this project successful. The exhibit was part of the commemorative events honouring the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. In 2016, this exhibit travelled extensively in the Province, as well as to France and Belgium, to the interpretation centres at the Somme and Vimy. The exhibit is an example of how people can tell important family history stories using textiles. Now the seventeen quilts are displayed throughout the campuses of Memorial University. 

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Meet Crystal Braye from Octopus Consulting!

Crystal Braye will be a mentor on Exhibit Design at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Crystal Braye is a Public Folklorist and Interpretive Planner with over a decade of experience helping to preserve and share the heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. She began her career at the Wooden Boat Museum in 2012, where she honed her skills in exhibit development, oral history documentation and interpretive writing. In 2020, she founded Octopus Consulting to collaborate with heritage organizations, municipalities, and tourism operators, offering services to help communities celebrate and share their unique cultural heritage.

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Meet Andrew Walsh!

Andrew Walsh will be a mentor on Volunteering/Being on a Board at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Andrew Walsh was born, raised, and is living in Cupids, Conception Bay North. Andrew is a historian with a passion for the unique history of his community, and of Newfoundland and Labrador in general. Throughout his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts at MUN, and Master of Letters from the University of Oxford, Andrew has remained closely involved with heritage in his community, primarily through his role as chair of St. Patrick's Parish Heritage Committee in Brigus. He loves to encourage others to get involved in their local heritage groups, as volunteering in that space improves both us and our communities. 

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mentor Introduction- Megan Webb

Megan Webb will be a mentor on Volunteering/Being on a Board at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Megan Webb (she/her) is the Museum Manager at Admiralty House Communications Museum in Mount Pearl. She holds a both a Bachelors degree in Archaeology and a Masters degree in Folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Megan has over a decade of experience working in the heritage industry through archaeology, archives, museums, folklore, and built heritage. Along with her educational background and work experience, Megan places significant importance in volunteering, especially for organizations within the heritage sector. She serves as the President of the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives, Treasurer of the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, and acts as the Chair and Historian/Archival expert on the Built Heritage Experts Committee for the City of St. John’s. Admiralty House Communications Museum is a partner of the Youth Heritage Forum and Megan is a mentor.

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

MANL Professional Development Survey is coming to a close on Friday, March 13th!

Our friends at MANL (Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador) are looking for feedback on their Museum Studies Certificate Program to make sure their programming meets the needs of their members. 

They want to hear everyone's voices, whether volunteer, professional, or anywhere in between. 

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to fill out their MANL Professional Development Survey - the deadline is Friday, March 13th at 4:30 PM!

Meet Pascale Gerdun!

Pascale Gerdun will be a mentor on Employability at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Pascale started working for Parks Canada as a student over 10 years ago while she was studying History and Anthropology at McGill University. Pascale has since worked for Parks Canada at eight sites across three provinces, mostly focused in the fields of visitor experience, heritage interpretation, and operational management. As the National Historic Sites and Visitor Experience Manager for the Parks Canada Newfoundland East Field Unit, her role involves the operational oversight and cultural resource management for five national historic sites, including Signal Hill, Cape Spear Lighthouse, Hawthorne Cottage, Castle Hill, and Ryan Premises.

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Newest Fieldnote! St. Michael's Convent

After doing some digging on St. Michael's Convent, we found there is a lot more mystery surrounding the property than we realized. The convent is located on a property called 'Belvedere' which can be traced back to the turn of the 19th-century when the land was owned by Peter McKie. For decades, it was believed that a Nova Scotia born lawyer, Hugh Alexander Emerson, purchased the property in 1821 from McKie, then went on to build the dwelling house in 1826 - 1827. Oral history even describes events that took place in the 1820s while under the ownership of Emerson, but interestingly, the earliest record for his purchase was twenty years later in 1841.

Our newest fieldnote dives into these divergent timelines and tries to suss out the truth.

Read all about it here: https://heritagenl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/047-St.-Michaels-Convent-Belvedere.pdf

Mentor Introduction- Jared Hogan

Jared Hogan will be a mentor on Reconciliation and DEI-AR at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

 Jared T. Hogan (he/they) is a settler anthropologist living in Mi’kmaw and Beothuk territory on the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), with family ties to Conception Bay North and Central Newfoundland. His research explores the representation of Indigenous Peoples in museums and education spheres. Currently, Jared is a PhD Candidate and a Per Course Instructor at Memorial University, a Continuing Education Instructor at the College of the North Atlantic, and Sessional Lecturer at the University of Regina. In his work, Jared strives to help correct colonial misconceptions about Indigenous history, motivated by his experience growing up in urban Newfoundland and not learning about Indigenous Peoples in Newfoundland and Labrador (or Canada).

Join us to connect with others in the field and discussed topics important to heritage. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Speaker Introduction- Conservation Corps

The Conservations Corps will be participating in our Ways to Get Involved panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

 CCNL is a non-profit organization focusing on supporting local environmental and cultural priorities, enhancing climate resilience, delivering environmental education and creating meaningful employment and skill development opportunities for youth across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Join us to hear about volunteer and employment opportunities in the field and how to approach them. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Three Families of Limeville

Limeville is an iconic property in the Battery of St. John's, easily recognized for its crosshatch fence and array of flowers across the lawn. With a threat of redevelopment, we wanted to record its history, so we compiled a chronology of the property and three of the families who lived there: the Scores, the Moores, and the Walshes. These families all had local businesses that thrived, but also faced many hardships, including the untimely deaths of loved ones. We hope this chronology gives answers to some of the questions the public has about Limeville and sheds light on the lives of those who lived there.

Limeville in the care of the Allderdice's (Eden on the Hill 2011).

Meet Kim Orren from Fishing for Success!

Kim Orren will be a speaker for our Ways to Get Involved panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Kimberly Orren is a former high school science teacher turned commercial fisherman and co-founder of Fishing for Success, a nonprofit social enterprise museum in Petty Harbour. Fishing for Success (F4S) works to transmit the intangible cultural heritage of Newfoundland & Labrador's family fishery while advocating for an inclusive, gender-equitable & sustainable small-scale fishery that can help combat climate change and contribute to food sovereignty through better local seafood access. Through collaborations with researchers and other ENGO’s, F4S is developing a Sea2School program to connect youth in coastal communities to fishing as a cornerstone of ocean literacy and food equity.

Join us to hear about volunteer and employment opportunities in the field and how to approach them. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gander Airport International Lounge designated as a Registered Heritage Structure

Gander Airport International Lounge designated as a Registered Heritage Structure

2026-03-03
For immediate release

GANDER, NL: The iconic mid-century-modern Gander Airport International Lounge has received provincial designation as a Registered Heritage Structure.

The Gander Airport International Lounge was constructed in 1958 and opened in 1959. The lounge is an example of mid-century modern architecture and the “Jet Age” style. It was designed by Canadian architect John M. Lyle & Associates, with contributions by C.B. McNeil, the then chief architect for the Department of Transport.

“This is a remarkable example of mid-century airport design, and the first of a 1960s movement where the Department of Transport commissioned the top Canadian architects, designers, and artists in international terminals across the country,” says architect Matt C Reynolds, Chair-elect of Heritage NL. “This large room is the last intact representation of this era, and a unique example of Scandinavian-Canadian design principles that connected us to the rest of the world.”

The Lounge includes a viewing area, gallery, boardrooms, mezzanine, and bathrooms. Features include the terrazzo floors in geometric patterns, an open floor plan with large windows, and artworks like Kenneth Lochhead’s famous avante-garde mural and Arthur Price’s sculpture “Birds of Welcome.”

“Since its inception, attaining this Heritage NL designation has been a critically important goal of the International Lounge Foundation,” says ILF Chairperson - Stephanie Power. “It is a deeply meaningful and invaluable milestone for the International Lounge. It recognizes the significance of this space as a lasting symbol of modernist design, a crossroads for remarkable global figures, and a place of profound compassion during 9/11”.

“The International Lounge’s historical and cultural relevance along with its contributions in art and design are substantive, not only to Gander, but to the heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Power adds.

Heritage NL was established in 1984 to preserve one of the most visible dimensions of Newfoundland and Labrador culture - its architectural heritage. Heritage NL designates buildings and other structures as Registered Heritage Structures, and also supports programs that celebrate the living history of the province.


https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/gander-airport-international-lounge-registered-heritage-structure/

Introducing Corey Weir from Community Sector Council NL.

 

Corey Weir will be a speaker for our Ways to Get Involved panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre.

Corey is the Sector Workforce and Capacity director at Community Sector Council NL. 

Corey has been a member of the CSCNL team for almost two decades, leading initiatives like the Student Work and Service Program (SWASP), AMPLIFY and ASCEND – all programs dealing with connecting youth with non-profit organizations for employment opportunities and skills building. In his latest role, Corey works with all members of the community sector workforce, both paid and unpaid, to determine and bridge gaps on a wide variety of issues.

Join us to hear about volunteer and employment opportunities in the field and how to approach them. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Meet Rachel Head!

Rachel Head will be a speaker for our genealogy panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre. 

 Today, we’re pleased to welcome Rachel Head, the Newfoundland and Labrador Collections and Services Librarian with Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries (NLPL). Rachel will be sharing how NLPL’s archival materials can support genealogy research, no matter where you are in your search.

Rachel grew up on the west coast of Newfoundland, an experience that shaped her deep appreciation for the province’s communities and history. She later completed her Master’s in Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario. Since joining NLPL in 2023, she has held several roles, including Literacy Services Librarian and Digital Literacy and Technology Librarian. In her current role, she works with NLPL’s Reference Team, helping patrons and researchers find answers to their questions—and discover their next great local read.

Join us to learn to hear about her work in the field and tips and tricks on doing genealogy yourself. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Speaker Introduction- Kait Little

Kait Little will be a speaker for our genealogy panel at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre. 

Kaitlyn Little (she/her) is a heritage professional passionate about archival work, research, and bilingual heritage interpretation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (2019) specializing in French and history, a Master’s degree in history (2021), and a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate/Secondary, 2022) from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She currently works part-time at Memorial University’s Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA) as an assistant archivist and as a library assistant with Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries. Kaitlyn volunteers as a director-at-large for the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives (ANLA) and as a citizen representative on the City of St. John’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Join us to learn to hear about her work in the field and tips and tricks on doing genealogy yourself. Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator

Keynote Speaker- Melissa Blunden

Melissa Blunden will be our keynote speaker for the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre. 

Melissa Blunden is a museum professional and cultural leader who became an Executive Director at the age of 30. She holds a BA in Anthropology and Archaeology from Grant MacEwan University and an After Degree in Cultural Resource Management from the University of Victoria.

Over the past 15 years, Melissa has built a career in the culture and heritage sector that began as a Young Canada Works Heritage Interpreter summer student at a historic grain elevator park. After graduating with her BA, she worked both internationally and across the prairies as a field archaeologist, before returning to museum roles at various institutions in Alberta, including positions as an Outreach Coordinator, Visitor Services Manager, and Executive Director of the Lacombe Museums, a rural historical society operating 3 historical buildings. In February 2024, she moved east to lead Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum, a leading Gaelic folklife centre in North America.

She is most passionate about working with intangible cultural heritage, understanding cultural landscapes, and building strong, community-centred partnerships.

Registration is now open for the YHF, so make sure to check out the Eventbrite for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1981724146268?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Call for Submissions: O'Brien Farm Foundation Fibre Arts Exhibit

Photo from the Craft at Risk Exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery. Photo features the work of Jennifer Morgan, Virginia Stoddard, Jane Smyth, Erica Dawe, Peter Fowler, and Walter Fowler. 

Call for Submissions: Changing of the Seasons: The Turning of the Wheel

O’Brien Farm Foundation is inviting submissions for Changing of the Seasons: the Turning of the Wheel, a month-long fibre arts exhibit presented in tandem with the Sheep to Sock event at O’Brien Farm. This exhibit is going to celebrate the cyclical nature of the seasons, traditional craft practices, and the O’Brien Farm Foundation's long ties to sustainability and agriculture.

Selected works will be available for purchase at a 20% commission rate, which directly supports the public programming offered at O’Brien Farm. As we work to expand our arts-based programming, we hope to provide more commercial opportunities for artists, as well as solely presentation-based exhibitions which adhere to the CARFAC Minimum Fee Schedule

Exhibition Dates: May 15th-June 15th

Location: O’Brien Farm Interpretation Centre, 150 Oxen Pond Rd

Submission Deadline: April 15th

Eligibility & Criteria:

-We are seeking fibre-based artworks that meet the following criteria:

-Alignment with one or more thematic elements: sustainability, cultivation, creative re-use, seasonal cycles, agriculture, and our role in the natural world.

-Created using natural fibres (wool, cotton, silk, flax, etc.) or recycled natural materials

-Original designs or works based on traditional patterns. Reinterpretations of traditional patterns are welcome!

-Artworks may be two- or three- dimensional, subject to available space

-Artworks must include clear hanging instructions 

-All works must be stable and safe for public display

-Works will remain on display for the full exhibition period (May 15 – June 15, 2026). The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on occasional weekends for special events. Security will be provided.

Selection Process:

The selection process will be led by the O’Brien Farm Interpretation Committee and Heritage NL, in collaboration with a guest curator. We are pleased to announce that our curator for this project will be local artist and arts worker Daniel Rumbolt. 

Daniel is a queer settler artist raised in rural communities throughout the traditional land of the Mekap'sk Mi'kmaq Band (northern peninsula) of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). He received his BFA from Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, and his MFA in Studio Arts (Fibres and Material Practices) at Concordia University in Tiohtià:ke, Kanien’kehá:ka Nation (Montreal, Quebec). He is the National President and Spokesperson for CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens), and is currently the Executive Director of the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft, Art, & Design. 

Heritage NL will also award prize ribbons to artworks that best represent traditions listed in the Craft at Risk document, which lists endangered craft practices and encourages the sharing of heritage skills. Ribbons will be awarded at the annual Sheep to Sock Event on June 6th, 2026. To view the Heritage NL Craft at Risk Document, please visit: https://heritagenl.ca/programs/craft-at-risk/

Submission Details:

Artists must submit:

-Up to 5 images of the artwork(s)* to be considered

-Title, medium, dimensions, year, and price of artwork

-Artist Bio (maximum 100 words)

-Artist Statement (maximum 250 words) 

Technical or installation requirements

Multiple smaller artworks in a set are also eligible for submission.

-Please email your submission to programming@obrienfarm.ca with the subject line “ARTIST NAME - Artwork Submission 2026”. Ex. “DANIEL RUMBOLT - Artwork Submission 2026”

-Artists will be notified of acceptance by May 1st, 2026.

Sales

We encourage works to be available for sale. The O’Brien Farm Foundation will retain 20% commission on sales, which will go towards future exhibitions and programming, with 80% returned to the artist. Cheques will be issued within 60 days of the exhibition closing.

Shipping

Artists are responsible for all shipping costs, including:

-Shipping, delivery, or drop-off of work to O’Brien Farm

-Return shipping or pick-up following the exhibition

-Shipping for any potential out-of-town sales.

O’Brien Farm Foundation is not responsible for any damage incurred during shipping.

Exhibition Events

O’Brien Farm will host an opening reception with beverages and light refreshments (details to be announced), and all artists are warmly invited to attend. Artists are also invited to take part in our annual Sheep to Sock event during the exhibition period on June 6th.

We look forward to celebrating fibre arts with you all!

For questions, please contact: programming@obrienfarm.ca

Sheep to Sock

We’re so excited that this event is back. More details to come, but for those who don’t know, Sheep to Sock is a Heritage NL, O’Brien Farm and Sheep Producers Association of NL family-friendly (and free!) fiber art, craft, and agriculture event that showcases the entire journey from sheep to sock. Demonstrators will show how to shear sheep, card wool, spin, and more!

Heritage Places Poster Contest Winners Announced!

Heritage NL was excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Heritage Places Poster Contest on Heritage Day. The full awards ceremony is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUK75byYV8I&t=2s

Find all the winning entries here: https://heritagenl.ca/news-events/heritage-week-2026/ or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_o6UYGtAxQ&t=17s

More coverage of the winners is available on VOCM: https://vocm.com/2026/02/17/291958/ and with CBC Listen "On the Go" with Krissy Holmes: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-47-on-the-go/clip/16198129-heritage-nl-poster-winner

Some Good Folks: MA Folklore Co-op Students Available for Work

 

Availability of Folklore Co-op Students: May-Aug 2026

Students from Memorial’s Master of Arts in Public and Applied Folklore program are available for full-time, paid work terms of 12-16 weeks this summer.

Memorial’s folklore program has course concentrations in research methods, ethnography, archival studies, folktales, culture, oral history, literature, and more.  Student experience and interests include: research and cultural documentation; public event support; cultural and economic development; marketing and communications; tourism; archiving; and curating.  Assignments could include working in research, museums, heritage sites, festival planning, visual media and radio, tourism or entertainment.

Wage subsidy funding may be available to organizations hiring co-op students, through the provincial SECPAP program or the federal SWPP program.  Details about both programs can be found here https://www.mun.ca/coop/employers/funding/. 

If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch with Rebecca Newhook at: rnewhook@mun.ca