Heritage NL approves $100K in revitalization grants for Registered Heritage Structures

Six heritage properties in Newfoundland and Labrador have been awarded grants to assist with heritage restoration projects. These include two community museums, residences, and a historic church property. 

A total of $100K was approved for Registered Heritage Structures across the province. The properties will all undergo work to restore original heritage features, utilizing traditional materials and craft skills.

Drake House Museum in Arnold's Cove will see exterior work repairing and repainting clapboard and trim; the Butler Property in Cupids and the Our Lady of Mercy Museum in Port au Port West will have heritage windows repaired and storm windows made; the often-photographed St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Trinity will undergo much needed roof repair; while the iconic Devon House on Duckworth Street, St. John’s, and the Sexton/Wilansky House in Trinity will have trim, detailing, and exterior materials repaired and restored. 

“Heritage NL is proud to be part of these important restoration projects,” says board chair Dr. Lisa Daly. “Our heritage properties are a vital part of tourism visitation and destination marketing for the province, and need continual investment.”

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 as Registered Heritage Structures and may provide grants for the purpose of preservation and restoration of these historic places.

Drake House, Arnold’s Cove

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/drake-house-registered-heritage-structure/

Butler Property, Cupids

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/butler-property-registered-heritage-structure/

Our Lady of Mercy Museum, Port au Port West

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/our-lady-of-mercy-museum-registered-heritage-structure/

Devon House, St. John’s

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/devon-house-registered-heritage-structure/

Sexton/Wilansky House, Trinity

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/sexton-wilansky-house-registered-heritage-structure/

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Trinity

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/st-pauls-anglican-church-registered-heritage-structure-2/

Job Posting: Women's History Researcher with Heritage NL

 

Julia Salter Earle during the 1925 municipal election campaign.

Job Posting: Women's History Researcher

Heritage NL has received funding through the Job Creation Partnerships program to hire an EI-eligible worker for a 52 week period, $670/wk, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Heritage NL and the Newfoundland & Labrador Historical Society are hiring a Women's History Researcher to conduct scanning parties across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in an effort to digitize documents and photographs relating to women’s and gender-diverse folk’s lives and history. The Researcher will coordinate with community museums, heritage and history groups, libraries, and seniors groups to organize scanning parties to digitize documents and photographs contributed by the public with a theme of women’s history. The Researcher will create the metadata for these documents and upload them to the Memorial University Digital Archives Initiative. 

The Researcher will also be tasked with providing an update of the research done to date during the Suffrage Symposium November 14-16, 2025; assisting with symposium planning, and leading a workshop to teach other researchers and academics how to conduct scanning parties. The Researcher will also give an overview of the works achieved at public presentation before the end of the project.

Strong research, communication, and writing skills required.  A background in women’s history or gender studies is a definite asset. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Be a resident of the province;

• Canadian citizens or permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada;

• Meet the definition of EI-eligible;

• Be approved by the department under Section 25 of the Employment Insurance Act as insured participants who are active EI claimants; and

• Have an employment plan that identifies that the JCP work experience being considered supports a reasonable occupational goal.

Send your cover letter and resume to dale@heritagenl.ca

Deadline to apply: June 6, 2025 

Sheep to Sock 2025: "Shear Bliss"

Heritage NL, along with our partners the Sheep Producers Association of NL, NONIA, and O'Brien Farm Foundation, had a great time at our annual Sheep to Sock event.

We had sheep, a silent auction, and demonstrations of several traditional crafts including Heritage NL's braided rug workshop. If you are interested in attending a braided rug workshop, add your name to our email list here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9D3a7itUUherKDvik7ZnEfbLn0KjvVd_3NF4FFEC3xSQaHw/viewform?usp=header

Braided rugs

Emily Denief using a spinning wheel

Read the full CBC article on the event here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sheep-to-sock-1.7538062

Introduction to the 2025 Heritage Conference Intern

Hello! My name is Victoria Mathews, and I will be joining the Heritage NL team as the conference intern. I am thrilled to be working with WHAM to run a great event. I recently graduated from Algonquin College's Applied Museum Studies in Ottawa and moved to Newfoundland in December. I am enjoying my time here and learning all I can about Newfoundland and Labrador's rich history.

In my free time I greatly enjoy art, such as scrapbooking and sketching, and have recently started book binding. In the fall I plan to do an online book binding certificate to further my knowledge of the craft. 

The upcoming heritage conference will be October 17th-18th at The Rooms. More details to come but it is safe to stay MANL, ANLA and Heritage NL are very excited to be collaborating again! 

Heritage NL Update May 2025 - New Designations, Posters, Research, and Sheep to Socks!

 

In the May 2025 Heritage Update for Newfoundland and Labrador:

Heritage NL Designates Two Properties as Registered Heritage Structures 

20th annual Heritage Places Poster Contest Winners

Sheep to Sock event - May 17th

Report on the Youth Heritage Forum 2025

An Overview of Heritage NL's Rigolet, Labrador, Trip; and

Updates at the White Elephant Museum Registered Heritage Structure

Download the pdf at

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uiywc6pehQ9Mnd-Okh-DQWgEww1WmHrE/view?usp=sharing

Photo: traditional Inuit grasswork in Rigolet, 2025. 

An Early Bungalow and a Piano Showroom: Heritage NL Designates Two Properties as Registered Heritage Structures

Two historic properties, one in Deer Lake and one in Harbour Grace, have been designated Registered Heritage Structures by Heritage NL. 

The Aitken Property in Deer Lake includes a 1930s/1940s bungalow and two outbuildings on a mature lot. It has historic value due to its association with the town's evolution and growth both during and after the construction of Deer Lake's hydroelectric station in the 1920s. It is a good representative example of a type of home built in Deer Lake by families involved in the pulp and paper industry. The home was built by Ernest Aitken, who moved from Botwood to Deer Lake in the 1920s. Ernest, his wife Annie, and their two daughters originally lived in a log cabin close to a construction site associated with one of the dams feeding the hydroelectric station. The Aitkens and other families stayed at this site for many years before building modern, permanent residences in the more populated part of the town. 

The Parsons/Collis Building is one of the few commercial buildings remaining on Water Street that predate the 1944 “Great Fire” in Harbour Grace. It was constructed circa 1858 as the easternmost building of a block of three once known as “Pike’s Block.” The other two buildings were demolished around 2000. 

Simeon Henry Parsons purchased one of the Pike’s Block buildings around 1870, and operated a photography studio and cabinetmaking, upholstery, and undertaking business from there. Leslie Collis purchased the Parsons building in 1940 and proceeded to establish a piano showroom and a repair and finishing shop there. The Collis family eventually relocated to St. John’s and went on to establish seven stores across the island. Their Harbour Grace store and factory closed permanently in 2001. 

“These designations reflect industry and innovation in our province,” says Heritage NL board chair, Dr. Lisa Daly. “From the beginnings of a community around the hydroelectric station to the development of new technologies, the built heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador adapts as we have continued to grow.”

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 may provide grants for the purpose of preservation and restoration of such structures.

Sheep to Sock Saturday at O'Brien Farm, May 17th, 2025

Join Heritage NL and our friends at the Sheep Producers of NL, and NONIA for our second "Sheep to Sock" at O'Brien Farm on Saturday, May 17th, 2025. There will be sheep, lambs, shearing demonstrations, spinning, carding, weaving, knitting, and more. See the whole process of how we go from sheep to sock! A free family event.

Sheep to Sock Saturday
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
10am-4pm
O'Brien Farm
150 Oxen Pond Road, St. John’s - Google Map link here

Where can I park? Map here

List of Demonstrators:
Shearing Demo, BBQ and Market by SPANL
Spinning - Emily Denief
Carding - Amelia Reimer
Knitting - NONIA
Crocheting - Saltwater Crafts
Weaving - Elsa Flack and friends
Braided Rugs - Heritage NL

Sheep to Sock Schedule!

Parking Legend

What can we do to stop the theft of historic art pieces?

Following the recent theft of an iconic Amelia Earhart statue in Harbour Grace, I did a quick Google search on stolen bronze art pieces. The results are shocking, and this is only a short selection of a VERY long list over a few months. What steps can we take here in Newfoundland and Labrador to stop the theft and presumed recycling of historic bronze statues?  - Dale Jarvis

Here are just a few recent thefts:

24 April 2025 - Edmonton, Alberta
Man arrested after more than $250K in metal stolen, including Emily Murphy statue
https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/emily-murphy-statue-partly-recovered-at-metal-recycler-man-charged

3 April 2025 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bronze statue stolen from northwest Albuquerque park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycKz79yNZv8

11 March 2025 - Edmonton, AB

‘It’s very disrespectful’: Second bronze statue within 2 weeks goes missing in Edmonton

https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/its-very-disrespectful-second-bronze-statue-within-two-weeks-goes-missing-in-edmonton/

27 February 2025 - Berlin, Germany

Boy with Octopus: Who is stealing Berlin’s bronze statues?

https://www.the-berliner.com/english-news-berlin/boy-with-octopus-eduardo-rossi-who-is-stealing-bronze-statues/ 

14 February 2025 - St. Paul, USA

Stolen F. Scott Fitzgerald statue destroyed, suspect arrested after scrap yard calls police

https://www.fox9.com/news/stolen-f-scott-fitzgerald-statue-stolen-arrest 

12 February 2025 - DC, USA

500-pound Scottish terrier statue stolen from D.C. dog park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiCHYt8MkU 

9 December 2024 - Montreal, QC

Art heist or metal theft? Iconic mother-and-child statue stolen in Westmount 

https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/article562630.html 

7 November 2024 - Gananoque, Ontario

Noel Bullock statue stolen from Gananoque Horticultural Society Park

https://www.gananoquereporter.com/news/noel-bullock-statue-stolen-from-gananoque-horticultural-society-park 

1 November 2024 - Berthierville, QC

Thieves speed off with bronze statue of Quebec Formula One racing legend Gilles Villeneuve

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/villeneuve-statue-melted-down-1.7371102

Sep 20, 2024 - St. Albert, Alberta

Statue of imitations: Saint Albert could return to St. Albert

https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/statue-of-imitations-saint-albert-could-return-to-st-albert-9518792

Two paid work experience positions with Heritage NL and MANL!

Heritage NL and Museum Association of NL (MANL) have two ASCEND positions available for NEET youth. This initiative provides meaningful employment opportunities for youth aged 15-30 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), while strengthening the community sector.

Through provincial minimum wage subsidized 19-21 week work placements in community sector organizations, ASCEND gives youth the hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development they need to succeed. Before placements begin, participants complete two weeks of career and personal development training, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce. The two positions are:


2025 Heritage Conference Intern

Heritage NL and Museum Association of NL are searching for an internship position to assist with the organization of the Fall 2025 Heritage Conference, which will take place at The Rooms in St. John’s. This annual conference is hosted by MANL, ANLA and Heritage NL, who are working together to help local heritage organizations build ideas and tell community’ stories. The Intern will work closely with the organizational team on programming the conference, contacting possible workshop leaders and presenters, organizing events and meetings, and assisting with registration and promotion of the event. The applicant will have a background in event planning, strong computer skills, and knowledge of various digital media formats. A heritage background or work experience, or work with community historical organizations or museums, is an asset. The participant should be able to demonstrate the ability to plan, design, or carry out a project or task from start to finish with well-defined objectives and outcomes.

MANL Professional Development Assistant

The Professional Development Assistant will play a key role in advancing the skills and expertise of museum professionals and volunteers across Newfoundland and Labrador. The Intern will be responsible for assisting in the development, coordination, administration and delivery of MANL’s training and mentoring programs. Working closely with MANL staff, the Intern will support MANL’s professional development objectives, including supporting MANL’s membership of 160 heritage organizations, as well as the work of WHAM! - Working in Heritage, Archives and Museums - a new partnership dedicated to raising professional standards and skills in the diverse heritage fields in this province. Excellent communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills are required to help support MANL members services and to build relationships with heritage organizations, government and communities throughout the province. Excellent computer skills would also be an asset, including experience with digital technology & learning. This position will require careful record-keeping, attention to detail and the ability to work on multiple tasks, while delivering results on schedule.

The Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and Heritage NL are committed to being equal opportunity employers, actively promoting employment equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

DEADLINE: April 25th, 2025

If you fit the NEET criteria,

1. send your resume to dale@heritagenl.ca, AND
2. register with the ASCEND program at https://joinascend.ca/

Heritage NL gives heritage status to historic Port au Port rectory

A window-filled historic museum on the Port au Port Peninsula has been given heritage status by Heritage NL as a Registered Heritage Structure. 

The Our Lady of Mercy Museum was constructed in 1952 as the rectory for the parish priest of the Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church (also a Registered Heritage Structure) located next door.  Over the years, the building served as a priest’s rectory, office, and family home. 

Still recognized by some as “Father Green's House,” the building now serves as a popular museum, gift shop, and tea room. 

Its most distinct architectural feature is the sun porch with diamond-shape window panes, which wraps around two sides of the structure. Local students would visit the building in the 1950s and ‘60s to see their exam marks posted in the sunroom windows. 

“Heritage NL is proud to showcase the special architecture and history of Western Newfoundland,” says Dr. Lisa Daly, chair of Heritage NL. “The designation of the Rectory celebrates its continued heritage as a community-centred space, and is timely given that this year is the centennial anniversary of the church.” 

In addition to the designation, Heritage NL will be working with the Our Lady of Mercy Committee to provide training around the conservation of historic wooden sashes, an important skill to have for a structure with so many windows. 

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 may provide grants for the purpose of preservation and restoration of such structures.

 

The City of St. John's Heritage Awards

 Heritage Awards

The City of St. John's Heritage Awards recognize commercial and residential property owners for their work in rehabilitating, restoring and celebrating our rich built heritage.

Who can submit a nomination?

Residents can nominate a designated Heritage Building or a building in a Heritage Area; property owners can nominate their own property.

 

Award categories

Nominations are accepted annually in the following categories:

• preserving or restoring the original character of a heritage building or any building in a Heritage Area
• rehabilitating an older building, including successfully integrating modern elements
• respecting the character of a modern building in a Heritage Area
• infill developments that blend into a neighborhood in a Heritage Area
• stewardship and long-term preservation of a heritage building or any building in a Heritage Area.

 

Application and Deadlines

The deadline for applications is Friday, February 28 at 5 p.m. To submit a nomination, complete and submit the Heritage Awards Nomination Form.

 

Contact us

For more information, please contact Planning. 

Learn more here: City of St. John’s Applause Awards Website

MANL Midday Museums- Heritage Mentorship Program Launch

Join the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 as they celebrate the first anniversary of Midday Museums and introduce the launch of their brand new Heritage Mentorship program!

In celebration of our first anniversary of Midday Museums, MANL is launching a brand-new resource designed for their members.

• Do you have questions on which funding applications would best suit your needs?

• Have you struggled to engage volunteers, particularly youth, with your organization?

• When you hire students every summer, are you comfortable with student payroll and other HR duties?

• Is your computer too old to install the software you need for your collections archiving?

MANL is here to help!

Please join the conversation on February 25 to hear about our heritage mentorship program and how it can help your organization. This initiative grew from our recent heritage conference, held at The Rooms this fall.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, there is no shortage of passionate, hard-working heritage employees and volunteers, with many years of experience, knowledge, skill and ingenuity. Our people are our best resource! It makes sense that we build on that expertise by sharing it with our peers in our communities throughout the province.

One aim of our Heritage Mentorship Program is to connect experienced professionals and volunteers with everyone in the heritage sector who need help, including emerging professionals, youth, students, and volunteers of all ages. Interested in engaging and mentoring youth within your organization? Juliet Lanphear, from Heritage NL will be joining us to announce an upcoming opportunity to bring together emerging professionals to network, become involved in the heritage sector, and share their insights into engaging youth in heritage.

So, please join MANL on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at noon on Zoom. Registration is free and everyone is welcome to participate. To register, simply fill out THIS FORM by noon, NST on Monday, February 24. 

For more information and to register, please click here.

Instructor Spotlight: Susan Furneaux

Work and photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/marynterraart/
Created when they were a student in Susan Furneaux's class.

Susan Furneaux is a teacher, artist, craft consultant, and mentor. She specializes in natural dye and fibre techniques, learning, teaching, and exhibiting throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, nationally and internationally. Susan has won multiple awards for her embroidery, natural dye and innovative use of natural materials including the 2022 VANL CARFAC’s ‘Endurance Award’.

In 2022, Susan was a mentor with Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program. Motivated by reciprocal knowledge exchange, capacity building and the preservation of traditional skills, Furneaux shared the craft of Bark Tanning. This is a traditional method used for tanning hides into leather, or colouring materials. Bark Tanning was listed as critically endangered on Heritage NL’s 2021 Craft at Risk List.

In March Susan will be teaching Beyond Basics: An Advanced Landscape Needle Felting Workshop!

With photos for inspiration, Susan Furneaux will guide participants through creating landscapes in needle felting. Topics will include colour theory, blending, background alternatives and embellishment. This workshop requires previous needle felting experience. Participants are required to bring photos for inspiration and any wool bits and pieces they may have in their stash.

When: March 5, 12:30-4:30pm NST
Where: Heritage NL's office located on the 2nd floor of the Newman Building, 1 Springdale Street

Register here for the workshop!

Stories from Chapel's Cove by Patrick Whelan

Excerpt about Harbour Main-Chapel Cove-Lakeview from the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, Volume 2.

Just before the holidays we had a visit to our office from Patrick Whelen of Chapel's Cove. He was interested in dropping off two stories about the community. The first story is a true ghost story he experienced as a boy. Here is his written stories in his words:

"My friend Harold and I were walking home from Avondale one summer's night circa 1960. The time was approximately midnight. The walk home would take us about an hour to complete after accompanying our girlfriends home. The night was very bright with a full moon shining above Hickey's Mountain on the calm water of Second Pond. From the edge of the road to the water was about ten or twelve meters. There were low bushes growing in the pond and along the side with grass closest to the road. So there were no big obstructions.
I said to my friend, "Look do you see that?"
We stopped, and shouted, "Hey, hey!" at the man who kept moving and did not respond. 
He was moving outside the bushes which were growing in the water. This pond has a deep muddy bottom. The silhouette showed that he had something resting on his shoulder and he was supporting the object in his hands. It looked like a rifle. His cap had the shape of a salt and pepper cap. Along the side of the road was crushed stone. We both picked up some and threw at the figure. Then we ran for about fifty feet or so before looking back. There was no one there. Also, when the person was moving outside the bushes, the water was not disturbed. The area where this event occurred was Lakeview. We were on our way home to Chapel's Cove."

Have you ever encountered a ghost near Lakeview? Let us know your experiences!


The next story is about the old cemetery in the community and how it was demolished. Below are the words Patrick wrote about his memories of the site:

"The old cemetery in Chapel’s Cove is located in the centre of the community. No burials took place after about 1900. A new cemetery was created on Chapel’s Cove ridge.

The old cemetery had small and very large aspen trees. The very large trees numbering about eight which lined the side of the road. In 1958 a hurricane topped the large trees across the road in front of the new school which we attended and watched the action. Some of the clearing crew used a large two man cross cut saw to junk up the large trees. Those trees were about 60 ft. high and approx. 30 in. diameter. Unfortunately, no one recorded the rings for age.

In 1959/60 Father Howard announced at Mass that the old Parish Hall would be torn down and a new one built. This old building served the Chapel's Cove residents as a church, school, and an entertainment hall. The location of the new hall was not yet to be decided. One Chapel’s Cove resident told Father Howard that he would give him the land to build a new hall.

Anyway one morning at Mass in Harbour Main Father Howard announced that he had permission from the bishop to build the new hall on the old cemetery approx. on the footprint of the old hall. Now the wheels are in motion the trees were all cleared and the old bldg was torn down by the local residents.

Next came the unbelievable, the excavation order to bulldoze the site, to a level property was indicated by Father Howard. Although the people of Chapel’s Cove were talking amongst themselves about this terrible atrocity, only one person, Dick Fewer, spoke openly about it. Since the R.C. Priest was the sole ruler of the community no one dared to question his motives.

A bulldozer from Holyrood was offloaded at the cemetery and began excavating. My school friends would look in awe as the bulldozer started to dig its blade into the ground and push whatever was in its path. He started to dig form Phil Whelan's property towards the river. This area was the location where Phil Whelan's two infant brothers were buried. Further over towards Murphy's fence were the remains of Dick Fewers' family. The land by Whelan's property was higher than the area towards the river, therefore he would cut off the high and fill in the low. As he was digging deeper we could see the skeleton remains and wooden boards from the coffins being pushed ahead of the dozer. The remains which were not pushed in front were crushed by the dozer going front and bak over the land. When any bones became visible we would collect and store them in a wooden container located near the site. During this excavation a dog was seen carrying a human bone in his mouth from the cemetery. 

Now that the site has been levelled off, the graves at the lower area of the cemetery are there to this present day which is October 2024. This cemetery had only two white headstones and one wooden cross surrounded by a white pailing fence. All the remains are buried inside the main entrance gate at St. Peter and Paul cemetery, Chapel's Cove. 

Unfortunately this is a sad but true story that the orders from one person could eradicate the first cemetery in Chapel's Cove."

Are there other older cemeteries that have been demolished? Let us know if you have one in your community!

Registration Open for Youth Heritage Forum

Heritage NL and our partners are excited to announce that the registration for the Youth Heritage Forum is now open. Interested participants can register on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/youth-heritage-forum-tickets-1204966269549?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Youth Heritage Forum is a great opportunity for students and emerging professionals to network, attend professional development seminars and workshops, and share your thoughts on being a youth in heritage. Lunch is provided!

"Applying The Halperts’ Vision to Today," event with MUN Folklore

Please join us on Tuesday, February 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Gushue Hall DH 2002 (Junior Common Room) for a “Applying The Halperts’ Vision to Today,” a roundtable discussion featuring MUN Folklore Department graduates and/or faculty who worked with or were influenced by Dr. Herbert and Violetta Halpert, the founders of Memorial's Department of Folklore, and the Folklore and Language Archive (MUNFLA).

Our panelists will discuss the Halpert's legacy in the province and beyond, reflecting on public folklore, community facing scholarship, and future applications.

Facilitated by Jillian Gould (Folklore, MUN), this event will feature Amanda Dargan (Education Director, City Lore, New York City); Michael Taft (Head of the Archive American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, retired); Crystal Braye (N.L. Public Folklorist, Octopus Consulting); Philip Hiscock (Folklore, MUN, retired); and Neil Rosenberg (Folklore, MUN, retired).

Light refreshments will be served.

Visitors may park in Lot 22 (Large lot by Business and Social Work. To cross Prince Philip, you may take the underpass from the north side of campus, by the Chapel, right to R Gushue Hall). https://www.mun.ca/cep/media/production/memorial/administrative/campus-enforcement-and- patrol/media-library/parking/Permitted-Lot-Map-2024.pdf

Heritage Funding Survey from the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Our friends over at MANL invite you to fill out a short Heritage Funding Survey. They write,

We are gathering data about our heritage organizations so we can prepare to educate various levels of government and municipalities on the importance of the heritage sector and to advocate for a much-needed injection of funds into the CEDP program. To achieve this we need your help and that of every heritage organization in the province.

In order for our information to accurately reflect the work being performed by our heritage organizations and the value it brings to our province, we are asking everyone to please complete this short survey at your earliest convenience. Please feel free to forward this survey onto other heritage organizations within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We would also like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with the CBC NL Radio program The Signal with Adam Walsh last week. If you missed the program, you can listen to it on their website. Here is a link to the news story covered by CBC, which also contains a link to the radio program:   https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-heritage-sites-risk-funding-1.7431889

You can help them out by answering the Heritage Funding Survey right here.  

January 2025 edition of the Heritage Update

In the January 2025 edition of the Heritage Update:

• Heritage NL announces the return of the popular Youth Heritage Forum, happening March 22nd;
• we want your feedback for our Youth Engagement and Employment Survey;
• gearing up for the 20th Annual Heritage Places Poster Contest;
• launching the National Heritage Week 2025 Municipal Challenge;
• The NL Historic Trust's Southcott awards;
• ongoing research on the St. Joseph’s Chapel, Blackhead, One Room School and Church;
• the Celebrate 75 project is underway;
• Craft at Risk Mentor receives the Premier’s Medal for Heritage;
• A report on the Cemeteries as Community Heritage workshop in Heart's Content;
• and Flora and Folklore: a taste of Labrador Tea. 

Download the full newsletter at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NGbVbHQRQkD1vwrj-MOzatFyBXpyHxhi/view?usp=sharing 

Flora and Folklore: Labrador Tea

Flora and Folklore: Labrador Tea

By Dale Gilbert Jarvis

Most local readers will know something about Labrador tea, the small evergreen shrub of the heath family Ericaceae. Formally known as Rhododendron groenlandicum, it grows in bogs and swamps, and on rough terrain, in Greenland, Canada, Alaska, northern Europe, the more northern sections of the United States, and of course, Labrador.  The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador offers the following description of the shrub:

Labrador tea is an evergreen shrub, usually less than one metre in height. The new twigs are densely covered with brown hairs, while the older branches have a flaking bark. The leaves are thick and leathery, with the margins rolled under. The upper surface resembles dark green leather. The lower surface has a dense rusty felt of hairs when mature.

Over the years, Labrador tea has also been known as common Labrador tea, bog Labrador tea, bog tea, Hudson's Bay tea, James tea, St. James tea, Indian tea, wooly tea , wild rosemary, swamp rosemary, swamp tea, marsh cistus, moth herb or thé du labrador. 

Photo credit: Salicyna CC BY-SA 4.0, wikimedia

Labrador tea has been a popular Indigenous beverage in North America for centuries, and has also been used as a spice for meats. It has been used by settlers, traders, trappers and explorers. William Epps Cormack, the early nineteenth century inland explorer, found the shrub growing in many locations, and in 1822 he wrote, "on the skirts of the forest, and of the [marshes] are found ... Indian or Labrador tea.”

Some connoisseurs recommend collecting the leaves in the spring, before flowering, others in late fall. Some collectors prefer the flowers of the plant, claiming they make an even more pleasant beverage. Most agree that the tea should not be too concentrated, due to the poisonous content of the leaves, and that the tea should be steeped, never boiled. The leaves of the plant have been used in Germany to make beer more intoxicating. In Finland, Labrador tea is regarded as an aphrodisiac, and it is popularly used to flavour liqueurs.

In a 1957 study of the Indigenous peoples of the western arctic, ethnobotanist W. J Oswalt also noted the paranormal powers of Labrador tea. He wrote, "there are ceremonial uses for Labrador tea; one is to turn a stalk and throw it out the door if a child is ill or if you want to get rid of ghosts."

If you try it, let me know if it works. 

Sources

“Labrador Tea” in Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's: Harry Cuff Publications Limited, 1998.

Oswalt, WH: “A Western Eskimo Ethnobotany” in Anthropological Papers of the Univ. of Alaska (1957) v6 n1, pp16-36.

William Eppes Cormack: Narrative of a Journey Across the Island of Newfoundland in 1822, ed F.A. Bruton (London: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd., 1928).