Launching the "Maxwell Roy" - 1940s. #FolklorePhoto

These photos show the boat "Maxwell Roy" about to be launched. The Maxwell Roy was the last ship to be launched by Martin Gosse of Spaniard's Bay. The photos were taken sometime in the 1940s. The two main buildings shown in the background of the second photograph were still standing in 2018.

Photo courtesy Daphne Robinson. Photos collected as part of the "Lassy Days Photo Scanning Pary" held Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 at the Wesley Gosse Heritage Museum. If this photo elicits memories for you, or if you'd like to arrange a photo scanning party for your community, contact Dale Jarvis at dale@heritagenl.ca

Bauline Burial Ground

Group in the unmarked cemetery.

On Thursday Dale and I met with three archaeologists from Memorial University, and three residents of Bauline to discuss the possibility of completing a project in an abandoned cemetery in the community. The unmarked cemetery is an old Methodist burying ground which predates the old United Church cemetery in the community.

Measuring out the cemetery. The rock walls delineating the cemetery can be seen in the foreground.

We met beside the United Church and walked down to the site which is on an incline and is only marked by a short rock wall. One of the residents pointed out two rocks which he was told by an older community member was the entrance to the graveyard.

Reviewing the church floor plans.

After a trip through the graveyard and a discussion of what the next steps were we visited the United Church building. The church is due to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020. Dale is completing some research on the history of the church itself and we were able to find some floor plans of some alterations done in the 1980s.

Undenominational Cemetery. 1925.

Once we finished exploring the church we took a quick detour on the way back to town to visit an undenominational graveyard where several goldpreachers or coonies are buried. We are also interested in learning more about this religion and are looking into where else there were goldpreachers practicing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

One of three marked stones in the undenominational graveyard.
Several unmarked stones are also located in the small graveyard.

Stay tuned for more updates on the church and the graveyard! But in the meantime if you have any information about either please reach out to Dale Jarvis at 739-1892 ex. 2 or dale@heritagenl.ca

Living Heritage Podcast Ep138 Something is Brewing in Newfoundland

In 2013, Mike became the first certified cicerone in Atlantic Canada, a certification commonly understood as the equivalent of a sommelier in the craft beer world. Mike is also the co-founder of The Newfoundland and Labrador Artisanal Special Order Beer Club, a special order club that allowed people to order beers that were not available through the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). In addition, he is the founder of The Beer Thief, an online forum that connects craft beer enthusiasts. In this episode, Mike talks about his training as a cicerone and the origins of the Special Order Beer Club, as well as the recent decision to have the club take a break as the craft beer scene in Newfoundland continues to grow.

Download MP3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes are hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Digital Storytelling: 1968 Oxfam Walk with Palma Mercer

Digital storytelling is a short form of digital media production that allows everyday people to share aspects of their own family and community history. Many people have stories about family members and local places that often go untold. Digital storytelling helps interpret and make community history accessible.

Palma Mercer tells the story of the 1968 Oxfam Miles for Millions Walk.

Or click here to watch the video on YouTube.

Photos and audio courtesy of Palma Mercer. Photos collected as part of the Digital Storytelling workshop held Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s. If this video elicits memories for you, or if you'd like to arrange a digital storytelling workshop for your community, contact Dale Jarvis at dale@heritagenl.ca

Skipper Martin Gosse, Spaniard's Bay. #FolklorePhoto

Photo of Skipper Martin Gosse (middle), son Roy (right), and son-in-law Allan Jerrett (left). Early 1950s.

Photo courtesy Daphne Robinson. Photo collected as part of the "Lassy Days Photo Scanning Pary" held Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 at the Wesley Gosse Heritage Museum. If this photo elicits memories for you, or if you'd like to arrange a photo scanning party for your community, contact Dale Jarvis at dale@heritagenl.ca

Update on the Lewis Ferman & Co. sign, Water Street, St. John's

Back in October, folklorist Terra Barrett and I rushed down the street to prevent an old shop sign from being sent to the local landfill. That opened up a flood of stories and memories, and we are pleased that the sign will eventually be displayed at The Rooms here in St. John's. If you missed the story, you can read about it here:

• Hidden Piece Of St. John’s Jewish History Saved From The Dump
• Hidden sign reveals history of influential Jewish couple in St. John's
• It means an awful lot': Family members thrilled at uncovering of Ferman sign
• Newfoundlander and Holocaust survivors' son reunite in Toronto

I figured it would be a good time to give a bit of an update, and share a couple more photos.

First, the sign itself:

It might not look like much at the moment, but this is the first part of the restoration project underway at The Rooms by their talented conservators. Here, the sign has been tented with plastic and rehydration is taking place to allow the paint to relax so that it can be reattached. Thanks to Maureen Peters for sharing the photo with us. 

Next up, an old photo, sent to us by grandson Michael Ferman. He writes, "While the image quality is poor, the photo clearly shows the original sign, and I would suspect it is most likely Lewis Ferman in the photo due to his signature of the back."

Lastly, something of a treat! Here is a photo that comes to us from Brenda Simms Flood. Left to right, the photo shows her mother, Joan Simms; Lewis's wife Grunia Ferman, and Doris Snelgrove. All these ladies were neighbours here in St. John's, and the photo was take at St. John's airport, 1995, after Grunia received her honorary doctorate from MUN at the Fall Convocation: three friends who were Protestant, Jewish, and Roman Catholic. 

I'm still collecting memories and photographs, so if you have something to share about the Fermans, or about any of the other Jewish merchants in St. John's or throughout the province, you can get in touch with me via email at dale@heritagenl.ca or phone 1-888-739-1892 x2. 

Living Heritage Podcast Ep137 Armistice100 On Air

On Tuesday, November 13th, 2018, Heritage NL folklorist Dale Jarvis interviewed special guests Darlene Redmond and Michael Pretty at the Annex, Admiralty House Communications Museum, as part of a live audience recording of the Living Heritage radio show and podcast to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice.

Darlene Redmond is an artist who has always had a keen interest in history and war. She admires the care and dedication given by the people of this province in preserving the history of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and created the series to contribute to a proud legacy. She lives with her husband and children in Mount Pearl. Darlene's work will be featured in Admiralty House's new exhibit "Armistice 100."

Michael Pretty is the founder of The Trail of the Caribou Research Group Inc. (TCRG). TCRG is a not-for-profit volunteer organization and a registered charity. Their mission is to raise awareness of the accomplishments and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in military conflicts and peacekeeping missions over the past 100 years. All TCRG initiatives are founded on values of fellowship, inclusion and respect.

The Armistice 100 exhibit at Admiralty House runs until Nov 30, 2018

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes are hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Carbonear - Putting Heritage to Work Followup Meeting

On Monday, 5 November 2018, Heritage NL facilitated a workshop in partnership with the Town of Carbonear to discuss a multi-faceted approach to revitalizing the downtown core and waterfront with a particular focus on utilizing the community’s cultural assets.

The workshop comprised two parts: I) a vision session where people identified what they would like to see in the Carbonear heritage district of the future; and II) a session to explore what is needed to develop local heritage and business assets. Participants were in agreement they would like to see more business development, and more economic growth in the community.

You can look at the preliminary report here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_k2ExS3tphXAlS732yurVLQH_X7K8qE5kWAHt5X6mGA/edit?usp=sharing

Participants noted that any plan needs buy-in/commitment from community. Therefore, a follow-up meeting will be held at the Princess Sheila Seniors Club Building, Water Street, Carbonear, on Wednesday, December 5th, at 6pm.

The goals of the follow up meeting will be to:

• Communicate/share ideas collected at the last meeting
• Prioritize opportunities
• Identify local leadership -> who will take the ball and run with it?

This event is free, and open to anyone who is interested in the heritage and business development of Carbonear. Tea/coffee will be available!

Register online at:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/carbonear-putting-heritage-to-work-followup-meeting-tickets-53098066747


For more information, contact:
Kerri Abbott
Economic Development & Tourism Officer
Town of Carbonear
P.O. Box 999, 256 Water Street
Carbonear, NL A1Y 1C5
Tel: (709)596-3831 Ext. 235
Fax: (709)596-5021
Email: kerriabbott@nf.aibn.com


photo: 1911. Commemorating the coronation of King George V, present Queen's grandfather. Photo compliments of Tracy Oates/Carbonear Heritage Society Facebook page.

The Funeral Procession. #FolklorePhoto

A funeral procession on Church Hill, Spaniard's Bay, approximately 1930s or 1940s. Note the flag at half mast on the right half of the photo. Any automobile enthusiasts who can give us a date for the car, let us know!

Photo courtesy Daphne Robinson. Photo collected as part of the "Lassy Days Photo Scanning Pary" held Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 at the Wesley Gosse Heritage Museum. If this photo elicits memories for you, or if you'd like to arrange a photo scanning party for your community, contact Dale Jarvis at dale@heritagenl.ca