Office furniture looking for a new home

Heritage NL has some desks, office dividers, and filing cabinets we're willing to donate to a museum, heritage organization, or not-for-profit, if you can come pick them up in St. John's. Email dale@heritagenl.ca

Saving Lace: Revitalizing Newfoundland Shuttle Tatting

Shuttle tatting ornaments by Shyla Veinott of Beau Bois.

Do you know how to tat? Do you have memories of your nan shuttle tatting?

Christina Oates wants to hear from you! 

We've recently had a graduate student, Christina, reach out to us about shuttle tatting. Christina is a student at Yorkville University. She is working on her graduating project for a Bachelor of Creative Arts. The project will explore the process of breathing new life into a critically endangered craft through the pillars of learning, practicing, and sharing.

Christina is currently researching shuttle tatting in the province and is looking for any personal connections people have with the craft, such as family heirlooms, memories, experiences, knowledge, or anything else anyone would wish to share. What she is looking for at this stage is pretty open, so even a memory of Nan tatting would be extremely helpful!

If you've got something to share please reach out to Christina at: christina.oates@hotmail.com

Ivy Pull and Basket-Making Workshop: Weaving with Invasive Species

Monday, June 15th, 2026

9am-5pm

Includes treats, tea, and lunch at Thimble Cottage

O’Brien Farm, 150 Oxen Pond Rd, St. John's, NL A1B 3J8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eCh76YR5dQwszip58 

English Ivy (Hedera helix) was introduced to Newfoundland as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. It can act as a groundcover and climb nearby structures or trees using aerial roots. Ivy thrives by smothering native plants and damaging trees, requiring persistent, long-term removal efforts. Luckily for us, ivy is also an excellent material for weaving simple baskets!

Join Lori McCarthy (Food Culture Place) and Dale Jarvis (Heritage NL) at O’Brien Farm for an invasive ivy pull to make way for indigenous plants. Then, we’ll show you how to make a hoop-style hen basket with the ivy you’ve collected - a sustainable way to repurpose a harmful plant. All participants will go home with a rustic ivy basket of their own making. 

NOTE: About 1 in a 100 people may have a skin reaction to English ivy sap or leaves - if you are uncertain about how you will react, wear gloves while handling it.  Pulling ivy can be hard work on your arms and back, so go easy!

What to bring:

• Gardening or work gloves are recommended for working with ivy. 

• Bring secateurs or small garden pruners if you have them. If not, no worries, we have spare pairs for you!

• Be sure to wear rubber boots or waterproof footwear good for stomping around in ditches, and a jacket for the rain and/or a hat for the sun (we know what Newfoundland weather is like). 

• Your favourite sunscreen and insect repellent. 

• Bring a kneeling pad or folding chair if you need one. 

Our ivy workshop will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis. Lori is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker.

Register Here:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ivy-pull-and-basket-making-workshop-weaving-with-invasive-species-tickets-1989297619731?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival at O'Brien Farm, June 6th, 2026

Sheep to Sock Schedule.

Join Heritage NL and our friends at the Sheep Producers of NL for our third annual Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival at O'Brien Farm on Saturday, June 6th, 2026. There will be sheep, lambs, shearing demonstrations, spinning, weaving, knitting, pillow top making, rug hooking, and more. See the whole process of how we go from sheep to sock! A free family event. Bring cash if you want to purchase from SPANL's fundraising BBQ, canteen, or market.


Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
10am-4pm
O'Brien Farm
150 Oxen Pond Road, St. John’s - Google Map link here


Where can I park? Map here or see below

List of Demonstrators:
-Shearing Demos - SPANL
-Spinning - Beth Howley of Angora Borealis
-Weaving - Jessica McDonald using a floor loom provided by the ATC
-Pillow Tops - Heritage NL
-Rug Hooking - Heritage NL
-Waulking - Students of the CNA Textile & Apparel Design Program
-Knitting - Featuring NONIA knitters and Christine LeGrow as well as Michael Pretty from Trail of the Caribou Research Group discussing the Grey Sock project

Be sure to visit 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 celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons, traditional craft practices, and the O’Brien Farm Foundation's long ties to sustainability and agriculture. This exhibit will run until June 15th in the Visitor Centre. During Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival Heritage NL will 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.

Parking details for the event:

Ridley Office Timeline

1838 - Building constructed. See 2026 historical note. 

1978 - Ridley Office featured in the art exhibition Ten Historic Towns (later a book) by artist Jean Ball. Ms Ball noted that her purpose "is not to record everything of value, but to open the eyes of the general public to the treasurers in their midst, in the hope that they will preserve as many as possible of the buildings still not beyond repair."

1990 - Ridley Office designated as a Registered Heritage Structure because of its aesthetic and historic value.  

1991 - $10,000 grant approved for restoration by Heritage NL, disbursed in 1994. 

1991-06-05  - Plaque unveiled at Ridley Office. At this time the building had been purchased by the Town of Harbour Grace in order to save it.

1992 - Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (Heritage NL) releases the Harbour Grace Heritage District Report. Amongst its recommendations to the Town of Harbour Grace, it suggested that Ridley Offices should become the focus for the area, "ideally as a public operation."

1993 - Rather than keep the building as a public asset, the Town of Harbour Grace puts Ridley Office up for sale, stating "Interested parties should note the most important aspect of this offer is to preserve the property as a heritage structure."

2005 - As part of ongoing issues between the then property owner, the Town, and neighbours, Heritage NL encouraged all parties to work together "to find a solution that will ensure that the building is cared for, maintained, and used in a manner which befits such an historic property."

2012- $2,000 grant approved by Heritage NL and disbursed in the same year. 

2014 - Ridley Offices owner says Harbour Grace holding up permit to open.

2014 - Additional $15,000 approved by Heritage NL for restoration work; this grant went unclaimed and was eventually rescinded. 

2015-2017 - Property owner and Town of Harbour Grace in conflict, the Town offers to buy back the property, and explores expropriation. 

2015 - NL Historic Trust publishes article "Ridley Offices Under Threat"

2018 - Fire in the property. Town backs off from expropriation. 

2018 - Harbour Grace People, Places & Culture Workshop

Following an open, public town meeting hosted by Heritage NL, the workshop report suggested the Town strengthen designation and municipal heritage bylaws, and to introduce a small municipal subsidy for improving built heritage. It also made the following recommendation: 

• "The development of a communication strategy should be a high and short-term priority to ensure that all stakeholders in the community are informed of the development process. Without this, there is a real risk that trust and efforts will break down. It could take the form of a regular printed or online newsletter and/or use of social media."

2019 - Ridley Office Assessment Report. 

In September of 2019, an architect's assessment was made of the building. Numerous conservation recommendations were made, including immediate removal of English Ivy, and repairs to prevent water ingress. None of the architect's recommendations were followed. 

2019 onwards - Property vacant. Repeated flooding. 

2025-07 - Heritage NL hears rumours of demolition discussions, and writes a letter to the Mayor and Council, stating the following:

"We recognize that ownership has changed several times, and the current owner has not been in contact with the office. Heritage NL is very open to discussions around reuse and rehabilitation of the structure, which is eligible for both our annual restoration grants, and for our regular maintenance grants. We recognize a need for investment in the heritage infrastructure in your community, and feel that this building, with its important ties to the history of the fishing industry, could be a great asset and success story for the company, town, and province."

No response received. 

2026-03-24  Heritage NL contacted by owner Harbour Grace Ocean Industries, who stated that the inside of the building showed significant deterioration and appeared to present a threat to the safety of those around it, in particular with some of the walls caving in. 

2026-04–02 Ridley Office Site visit report. Failure to act on any of the 2019 recommendations has resulted in acceleration of building deterioration. Major internal failures of mortar, most second floor joists rotted. Badly burnt timbers from 2018 fire still in place.  Noticeable bowing of improperly repaired exterior masonry, top right half of front facade stone leaning dangerously away from the building. Ice buildup in rubble core of masonry walls. Daylight visible through multiple gaps in the stone walls, roof. 

2026-04-15 Letter to Town of Harbour Grace regarding condition of the building.  Discussion of high conservation costs, difficulty of moving building, possible salvage; note that approval or denial of a demolition permit is the responsibility of the municipality. 

2026-05-15 - Harbour Grace Residents Shocked by Demolition of Heritage Buildings 

 

Information on the S.O. Steele Building, 100 Water Street, St. John's

We've had a few inquiries about the history of the S.O. Steele Building; interested researchers can find more information here:

• Heritage experts ponder future of crumbling building near Newfoundland National War Memorial (CBC article)
• Infrastructure minister says something needs to be done with 'eyesore' building next to war memorial (CBC article)
• S.O. Steele Building Registered Heritage Structure (Heritage NL website)
• Heritage NL Fieldnotes Series, 036, May 2024 - S.O. Steele Building, 100 Water Street, St. John’s
• 2024 - Abbott Floats Museum/Library Combo For National War Memorial.
• 2022 - James Harris STEELE Obituary
• 2011 interview with Margaret Hitchens
• 2011 interview with Paula McDonald
• 2000 - What a Newfoundland Soldier Wrote About the War (Bert Riggs, MUN Website)
• 1996 Article - From Steele to Roses 
• 1991 Agenda Paper - Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
• 1987 Designation Letter from Heritage Foundation of NL (Heritage NL)
• Biography of Owen William Steele
• STEELE, Owen William Service Documents (The Rooms)
• STEELE, James Robert Service Documents (The Rooms)

Down by the Salley Gardens: Willow Planting Workshop and Picnic

Are you curious about growing willow for privacy, living fences, or basketry? This workshop will offer hands on training for sourcing, preparing, and planting willow cuttings. We’ll talk site selection, planting techniques, and proper care of cuttings and then we’ll work together to expand the farm’s Salley Garden!

A few suggestions for this workshop: wear comfortable gardening clothing, and dress appropriately for the weather! Gardening or work gloves suggested, and bring a kneeling pad if you need.

Willow planting will be taught by Lori McCarthy and Dale Jarvis.  

Lunch and tea at Thimble Cottage is included in the price!

Lori McCarthy is a chef, forager, hunter, educator, basket weaver, and enthusiastic outdoors person. She regularly teaches basketry courses through her business Food Culture Place - a folk school for craft, culture, and belonging. Dale is an author, folklorist, and Executive Director of Heritage NL, where he works to safeguard the historic places and living history of the province. He is passionate about forging links between communities, and is an aspiring basket maker. 

Tickets available through Eventbrite

Death on the Ice: Call for Volunteers

Fishing for Success is again hosting our continuous, live reading of Death on the Ice coming up on April 25, 2026 and is looking for volunteers. 

Want to hang out in traditional sealers garb? Help serve seal treats? Maybe play a musical selection if you’re musically inclined? Please, help Fishing for Sucess make this another successful event! For more information contact Liam at Liam@fishingforsuccess.org.

Gander International Lounge Highlighted by Architectural Conservancy Ontario

 The new designation for the Gander International Lounge was recently highlighted by Architectural Conservancy Ontario in their newsletter "Acorn in a Nutshell."

"Though technically it's outside the province, we couldn't resist this good-news story of Gander, Newfoundland's spectacular time-capsule airport lounge—a swanky space straight out of Mad Men—receiving provincial heritage designation recently.

A symphony of mid-century design and art, the 1959 international lounge features terrazzo floors, panelled walls, sleek MCM furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and painter Kenneth Lockhead's 22-metre-wide "Flight and Its Allegories" mural. But aside from the many celebrities and heads of state that have crossed these floors in the airport's heyday, it was the 6000+ bewildered and frightened travellers who landed in the town of 10,000 without warning on 9/11 that guaranteed the site's legacy as a place of unusual compassion as well as Modernist beauty. The lounge re-opened for tours in 2022 and is now used as a community space.

Well done, Newfoundland and Labrador, and well done, Gander."- Architectural Conservancy Ontario

Virtual Heritage Job Fair

Join us for a virtual heritage job fair! Are you looking for a summer job, or are you a heritage institution looking for employees? Then join us for a virtual job fair! This event is an opportunity for employers to share their upcoming job openings with a group of prospective employees. This job fair is a great way to see what heritage jobs are available across the province in one place. 

Register here as a prospective employee:

 https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T4d5D9y2QEC_s3AZ0pXFCg

If you are interested in presenting as an employer, register here: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedPWVcQoLYoNtu8Wf2rHAftrtvwtIutCpcSFR7lXjchrp_AQ/viewform?usp=header

Upcoming Lecture: Some Old White Guy Lived There

Some Old White Guy Lived There: Rethinking Existing Narratives and Searching for Herstory

Upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society lecture with speaker Andrea O’Brien with Heritage NL.

Heritage NL (Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador) is a not-for-profit Crown agency of the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. Established by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1984, Heritage NL has a mandate to help preserve the rich heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the beginning, this mandate was largely met by designating spaces which were built by the elite - including grand ecclesiastical buildings, merchant houses, fraternal lodges, and government institutions. Over time it was recognized that many spaces integral to the province’s history were not being recognized. This led to the designation of more modest buildings and some that recognized underrepresented parts of the province’s past.

Yet the stories told about these places and the names assigned to them were still those of the male white owners, architects, and builders. The plaques placed on the exteriors extolled their accomplishments while ignoring the stories of the females who lived and worked with them. Over the past few years Heritage NL has introduced a new plaque design. This presents an opportunity to re-explore buildings and the lives lived within them. We are discovering that untold stories are often more captivating than the known, male centric narratives. Improved archival access and a refocusing on oral histories is uncovering the stories of the unnamed women who lived in heritage homes, women who ran businesses alongside their male family members, women who worked at merchant premises, women who contributed to the building and maintenance of community spaces, women who were forces for change, women who weren't afraid to break societal norms.

To date Heritage NL has designated 350 Registered Heritage Structures. One by one we are determined to tell the stories of the others who lived in, worked in, and used these buildings - with hopes that this rethinking of accepted narratives will lead to the telling of even more diverse stories.

Thursday - March 26th @ 7:30 pm (NT) / 7:00 (AT)
In-Person: Memorial University, A1043, Arts and Administration Building
Free Parking in Lot 15B 
This parking lot is to the right of the Arts and Administration Building (when facing the building), and in front of the D. F. Cook Recital Hall/ School of Music entrance.  You can access the lot from Elizabeth Avenue.

Join from the meeting link: https://mun.webex.com/mun/j.php?MTID=mfd14eee59f924c1ba09bbcb98747722c

Meet Sarah Mooney!

 

Sarah Mooney will be joining us as a mentor on Research Methods at the Youth Heritage forum on March 21st. 

Sarah Mooney is a researcher, writer, and activist from St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2023, Sarah published a ground-breaking report on the human rights abuses experienced by queer Canadian soldiers in the First World War and is currently writing a creative nonfiction book on the subject. Sarah has worked with a number of national organizations as a writer and researcher including Rainbow Veterans of Canada, EGALE Canada, The LGBT Purge Fund, the ArQuives, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Sarah is also the founder and current co-chair of the NL Queer Research Initiative, a grassroots organization that was established to promote 2SLGBTQI+ history and research in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, Sarah has been nationally recognized for her advocacy campaign No Space for Hate which addresses the growing rise in anti-2SLGBTQI+ hate across the country. 

We look forward to seeing you all at the Youth Heritage Forum at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre to learn more about research methods and topics important to heritage. 

The National Trust is hosting a Youth Heritage Network Session - April 2nd 2026!

The National Trust is creating a Youth Heritage Network meant to be a space designed to connect, support, and empower young people who are passionate about Canada’s history and heritage.

They are hosting a session on April 2, 2026, at 2pm ET.

What to expect from the session: 

• Introduce the Youth Heritage Network’s vision, purpose, and goals
• Discuss roles and opportunities for interested participants
• Outline upcoming meetings and next steps

RSVP and Zoom access can be found here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Q26npeYVQlaY71qahvYqIg 

Any questions can be directed to: community@nationaltrustcanada.ca

Meet Brittany Mitchell from The Rooms!

 

Brittany Mitchell will be joining us from The Rooms as a mentor on Conservation at the Youth Heritage Forum! 

Brittany Mitchell (she/her) is an early-career preventive and generalist conservator. She has a BA in Archaeology and Heritage Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Diploma in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management from Fleming College. She currently works as a Conservator at The Rooms, provincial Museum, Art Gallery, and Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In her free time, Brittany loves to take on many creative hobbies such as embroidery, traditional art, building miniatures, and papercraft. She plays video and board games with friends, and she also loves to explore and experience Newfoundland scenery and wildlife.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Youth Heritage Forum on March 21st, 2026, at the Emera Innovation Exchange and Conference Centre to learn more about entering the conservation field. 

Mentor Introduction- Matt Reynolds

 

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

Matt is an Architect, Graphic Designer, and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified Professional known for his values-based design approach that is the foundation of all his work. He is the founder of Forgather Studio and has a decade of experience working across the disciplines of architecture, heritage conservation, branding, and interpretive design.

Matt is on the Board of Heritage NL, the Preservation Committee, and the St. John’s Built Heritage Experts Panel. He has worked for award-winning design firms across Canada and holds a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

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