Water Street, St. John's, 1962 #Folklorephoto

Photograph of Water Street in downtown St. John's in 1962. Shows the Bank of Montreal, VOCM, Ayres, Royal Bank of Canada, and a St. John's Transportation System bus. This image is part of the Allen and Pearl Squires Fonds at the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives.  

Entrance to Mine on Bell Island, 1954. #Folklorephoto

One of the Bell Island Mine entrances taken in 1954. This photograph is part of the Allen and Pearl Squires Fonds from the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives. To see other photographs from this collection visit MUN's Digital Archives.

Fishing Stage in Freshwater. Conception Bay, 1995

Fishing stages in Freshwater, Conception Bay. This photograph was taken in 1995 and is part of the slide collection of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation.

Do you know this building in Heart's Content? #Folklorephoto

Do you recognize this building in Heart's Content? This photograph was taken in 1994 and is part of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation slide collection.

Barn in Freshwater, Conception Bay 1995 #Folklorephoto

Photograph taken in Freshwater in 1995 and is part of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation slide collection.

Today's Catch and Earle Freighting Service LTD. Carbonear, 1994. #Folklorephoto

This photograph was taken in 1994 and is part of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation slide collection.

Blundon House Before and After. Bay De Verde, 1997. #Folklorephoto

These three photographs are from the 35mm slide collection of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation and were taken in 1997. The same year the building was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Blundon House is the last merchant house in Bay De Verde, originally owned by John Blundon who owned several schooners used in the coastal trade.

To see what Blundon House looks like today, visit Heritage Foundation website.

~ Kelly

Long Since Demolished House in Freshwater, Conception Bay (1995). #Folklorephoto

A House in Freshwater, Conception Bay that has since been demolished. Photograph taken in January 1995 and is part of the slide collection of the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation.

What Is Your Earliest or Favourite Memory from the Royal St. John's Regatta? #Folklorephoto

People at the 1962 St. John's Regatta. Identified (l to r): Theresa, Edna Tucker, Delcie, Jake Tucker, Jimmy King, Al Squires, and Syl. Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives (Allen and Pearl Squires Fonds). 

1962 St. John's Regatta. Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives (Allen and Pearl Squires Fonds)

1962 St. John's Archives. Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives (Allen and Pearl Squires Fonds)

What's your earliest or favourite memory of the St. John's Regatta? Do you compete, watch the races, play the games, eat the food, or take in every aspect?

~ Kelly

Custard Head Fishing Premises Before and After. Hant's Harbour, 1995. #Folklorephoto

In looking through images I recently scanned at the Baccalieu Trail Heritage Corporation, there are many buildings that were on the verge of demolition. The 35mm slides taken from 1993-1996 include many boarded up homes, stores, stages, and sheds that are no longer part of the Baccalieu Trail landscape. This building in Hant's Harbour is an exception.

In 1999 the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador designated the Custard Head Fishing Premises as a Registered Heritage Structure. Built by Joseph Francis in 1909, it is a perfect example of traditional, vernacular outbuilding construction.

To see what the fishing premises looks like today, and read more about the structure, visit the Heritage Foundation website.

~Kelly

"This Is Going to Be a Bad Night for St. John's" - The Great Fire of 1892 #Folklorephoto

View of the city from Duckworth Street east after the fire of 1892. Photo courtesy of MUN Archives and Special Collections (05 01 006) 

"This place is going to burn down, my boy," he remarked jovially, to an acquaintance: "go home and pack your little bundle." Still, people believed Water Street perfectly safe. I went into tea and was greeted with the news that all west of the Episcopal cathedral was burned. Scotland Row, the range of houses in front of the cathedral, was then burning. People were gradually becoming panic-stricken. I remarked to my landlord at tea: "This is going to be a bad night for St. John's." - Our Great Fire, By An Eye-Witness in the Morning Despatch July 19th 1892 

This July marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1892, which destroyed much of St. John's and is remembered as the worst disaster to befall the city. The City's commemorative activities will take place on Saturday, July 8th and Sunday, July 9th, 2017.  Visit City of St. John's for scheduled of events.

The Church of England Cemetery in Harbour Breton. #folklorephoto

One of our former board members, Doug Wells, was inspired by the podcast we did last week with archaeologist Robyn Lacy (listen to that interview here). He sent us a few photos of the old gravestones at the old Church of England Cemetery in Harbour Breton, sometimes referred to as the Newman & Co. Cemetery.

Do you remember being sent to the store as a child? #Folklorephoto

028.03.193 Four unidentified children in front of  Broad Cove with a jar of mustard pickles.
Photo courtesy of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives.

The above photo shows four unidentified children in front of Broad Cove in St. Philip's, who look like they may have just come from a stop at a local store. One little girl holds a jar of mustard pickles, another has something in her hand, maybe a chocolate bar? Do you have memories of your parents sending you to the store as a child? How far did you walk? What did you have to pick up?

~ Kelly

What Do You Remember About the Community Post Office? #Folklorephoto

028.03.126 "Mrs. Dine Haynes." August 17th 1962. From the Allen and Pearl Squires fonds. Courtesy of the Portugal Cove St. Philip's Archives.  

Do you recognize the above post office? or Mrs, Dine Haynes?

The image is part of a collection of slides taken by Allen and Pearl Squires in 1962. Allen Squires grew up in St. Philip's and while home for a visit for the summer of 1962, Allen and Pearl traveled around the Avalon Peninsula taking photographs in various communities including Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, Pouch Cove, Torbay, St. John's, Holyrood, Brigus and others. This slide was labeled "Mrs. Dine Haynes" August 17th 1962, though there are no other photographs from that day to give other clues to where this might be.

The left side of the photograph shows a cemetery, which appears to only be next to the Post Office because of a partial double exposure, and not part of the actual location. In the window is a Players cigarette advertisement and a Brookfield dairy ad "For a treat try a Polar [Bar]", indicating that the Post Office also served as a store. Do you know which community this Post Office was in?

What do you remember about your local post office? Was it part of a store? Was it in someone's house? Who worked there?

~Kelly

Alex C. Gruchy General Dealer, Pouch Cove 1954 #Folklorephoto

028.03.013 Alex H. J. Gruchy, Delcie Squires, and Pearl Squires in front of Alex C. Gruchy General Dealer, Pouch Cove. 1954
Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives 

These two photograph are from the Allen and Pearl Squires fonds at the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives. Allen and Pearl visited his home town of St. Philips, taking 35mm slided in 1954 and 1962. The slides show the couples travels around the Avalon Peninsula including Pouch Cove. The above photo shows the Pouch Cove shop Alex C. Gruchy General Dealer in 1954. Allen Squires and Alex Gruchy served together in WW2 as part of the 166th Newfoundland Field Regiment Royal Artillery. Below is a photograph from Allen and Pearls 1962 visit, showing Allen Squires, Alex and Jean Gruchy with their children and a friends baby.

 028.03.132 - Alex and Jean Grouchy and their son and daughter and friends baby and Allen Squires (in suit) in. Pouch Cove. August 12th 1962. Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives.  

Are you from the Pouch Cove area? What do you remember about the Gruchy's shop?

For more information on the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives, contact the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Heritage Programs and Services Coordinator Julie Pomeroy.

~Kelly

The Torbay Airport 1954. Do You Remember Your First Trip on an Airplane? #Folklorephoto

028.03.059 Torbay Airport.
Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives.

The above image taken in 1954, shows the first terminal building for the Torbay Airport, now the St. John's International Airport. The Royal Canadian Air Force opened the location as a military airport in 1941, constructing the first terminal building in 1943. It would become a civilian operation in 1946 and was run by the Canadian Department of Transportation.   

028.03.055 Pearl Squires in front of Trans Canada Air Lines plane. 1954.
Photograph courtesy of the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives.

These two photographs are part of the Allen and Pearl Squires fonds at the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives. Allen Squires was from St. Philip's and the fonds includes two sets of 35mm slides taken while visiting the area in 1954 and 1962.

For more information on the Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Archives, contact the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's Heritage Programs and Services Coordinator Julie Pomeroy.

~ Kelly

Do you remember the Mount Pearl Curl? - Tuesday's #FolklorePhoto

You may remember Kerri Rodden-Kemp from Kilbride who appeared
on The Ellen Degeneres show with her big hair from 1989.
Photo courtesy of CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.

This week I did some follow up interviews from our Mount Pearl Memory Mug Up events which took place at the local library. Debbie O'Rielly who grew up in Mount Pearl in the 1970s and early 1980s described her memories of playing games, going to school, and visiting the local shops. She also explained the system of trails she would play on as a child and later as a teenager used as a hangout spot. Debbie also mentioned some of the major changes and the growth she has seen in the community over the years.

Aside from childhood memories there was one particular thing I had to ask Debbie about and that was the origin of the Mount Pearl Curl. Debbie explained that the phenomenon started a couple of years after she graduated high school but she explained the process of creating the famous Mount Pearl Curl. In the clip below you can learn how to recreate the style with the help of a lot of hairspray and a textbook.



Do you remember the Mount Pearl Curl?
Do you know how this hair trend started or how it spread?
Better yet, do you have photographs?
Let us know in the comments or email terra@heritagefoundation.ca!

~Terra Barrett

#Folklorephoto The American Man of Spaniard's Bay

Gerald Crane stands next to a remaining American Man at Spider Pond near Spaniard's Bay, 2008

This photo shows a pile of rocks, called "The American Man" located at Spider Pond near Spaniard's Bay. Reminiscent of an inukshuk, the rocks were used as markers for direction when traveling across Spider Pond and Long Pond in stormy weather. Originally there were two markers at Spider Pond and one at Long Pond, though only the one pictured remains.

According to an article in The Compass written by Gerald Crane, in the early 1900s, fisherman from the area would travel along the Labrador coast. On the shore, they would see piles of rocks set up by Americans to mark good fishing ground. When the fishermen came back to the Spaniard's Bay area and set up the markers, they named these piles of rocks after their American friends.

Do you know of any similar land markers? Have you heard an other stories of the origin of The American Man? Have you visited The American Man at Spider Pond?

Source: "The American Man and Some Spots in Tilton" by Gerald Crane, The Compass, 17th March 2009

~ Kelly

#Folklorephoto Hearse Rules of the Spaniard's Bay Orange Lodge

This list came to us with material written by Wesley Gosse about Spaniard's Bay. This list would have hung at the "No Surrender" Loyal Orange Lodge No. 15 in Spaniard's Bay, and outlined the rules for the use of the Lodges hearse. The fraternal organization held parades, sometimes called 'walks', in the community as well as funeral procession for deceased members. The rules outline who could use the hearse for free, and how much it would cost for those who had to pay. Unfortunately the rules are not dated.

~ Kelly

#Folklorephoto BINGO! Do You Have a Bingo Ritual, Setup, or Luck Charm?

BINGO cards and dabbers at the Witless Bay Knights of Columbus. Photo by Saeedeh Niktab Ettati. 2014.

Do you play Bingo? Do you have a particular ritual or setup? Is there anything you do for good luck?