#Folklorephoto Standing on the Roof Looking at All the Snow

This photo of the Taylor House in Woody Point was collected by Charlie Payne and donated to the HFNL as documentation of the Woody Point Heritage District. A unidentified woman stands on the roof of the house looking over the piles of snow surrounding the house. Date unknown.

To see more items from the Bonne Bay area visit the MUN Digital Archives Initiative

Tuesday Folklore Photo: Stormy Old St. John's

I feel like this happens every year - we think we are out of the woods with winter and that spring is on our doorstep, when suddenly another big storm hits! I've been fooled a couple times this year already. This trend, unfortunately, is nothing new, and something that St. John's has been dealing with for decades. Newfoundlanders have become very adept at dealing with the harsh weather, and sometimes need to rely on back up plans for transportation when your regular vehicle just couldn't cut it.

This weeks folklore photo is of New Gower Street from 1925 - and as you can see, even this young man riding on his trusty Tauntaun is having a tough time with the winter weather! Tauntauns were used as pack animals, and also served as patrol mounts when the Rebel Alliance's vehicles couldn't deal with the cold weather. I could have certainly used one this past winter!


(Just kidding - only a little April Fool's fun! This photo actually comes from the Tumblr Old Timey St. John's - you should check it out - it's incredible!)

Snowy Days Gone By: St. John's Winter Scenes

With a blizzard on the way and rolling blackouts effecting the province, I thought I'd share some pictures of past snowy days, when snow clearing was not what it is today. We'll get though this together, like we have so many times before. Just remember to shut off those Christmas lights, drive safe, stay warm, bring in your pets and hug your babies!

Courtesy of: Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative
East End, St. John's. Temperance Street and Battery Road in winter.
Print developed from glass negative in the Geography Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection, Historical Photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Original repository Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives and Special Collections Division 

Courtesy of: Memorial university's Digital Archives Initiative 
Winter, Waterford Bridge Road, ca. 1905
John Job Collection, Maritime History Archive

Courtesy of: Memorial University's Digital Archive
Government House, St. John's. "New Willys Car". Car with chains on wheels, ready for winter. 1932
Print developed from glass negative in the Geography Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection, Historical Photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Original repository Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives and Special Collections Division

Courtesy of: Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative.

New Gower Street, St. John's. View looking east; snow covered street with horse and cart, ca. 1925

Print developed from glass negative in the Geography Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland Geography Collection, Historical Photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador. Original repository Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives and Special Collections Division