New HeritageNL Fieldnotes - Anglican Cemetery, New Perlican; Methodist Churches in Bauline

We're starting up a new little informal publication series here at the Intangible Cultural Heritage office.

The Heritage NL Fieldnotes Series was created to openly share information concerning the ongoing research projects of Heritage NL in the fields of built heritage and intangible cultural heritage. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. This is where we'll be posting short reports that we may not have fully developed as part of our occasional papers series, and which we may update as new material becomes available.  For further information on the reports, you can email dale@heritagenl.ca 

So far, I've posted two articles:

• Jarvis, Dale Gilbert. A History of St. Mark’s Anglican Cemetery, New Perlican. Heritage NL Fieldnotes Series, 001, November 2018. Heritage NL: St. John's, NL, Canada.
  
• Jarvis, Dale Gilbert. Notes on Methodist Churches, Bauline, Conception Bay.  Heritage NL Fieldnotes Series, 002, December 2018. Heritage NL: St. John's, NL, Canada.

If you find these articles useful, comment below!

#FolklorePhoto: The Reverend and Mrs. William Henry Browning

This photo shows the very distinguished Reverend and Mrs. William Henry Browning. While the photo bears the mark of the Fulton Art Studio of Brooklyn, it comes to us from the community of Bauline, Conception Bay, NL, where Rev. Browning served as Methodist minister between 1914-1918. Photo courtesy Town of Bauline. 

Mrs. Browning was born Ellie Grace Currie, of Britannia Cove, Random Island circa 1869. They were married on July 18th, 1891 in Britannia, Rev TW Atkinson officiating, with David Currie (most likely her father) and JJ Durrant as witnesses. William was 34; she was 22.  Ellie's father David had come from Llanberis, Wales to work in the local slate quarries.  Today, the National Slate Museum exists close to the point from where the Curries emigrated. 

William and Ellie had most likely met while Browning was working as a Methodist circuit minister, as he served a number of Methodist circuits around Newfoundland.  As an example, he is listed as officiating the Shoal Harbour marriage of Thomas Pond (28, a fisherman of Foster's Point) and Mary Eliza Benson (28, a "spinster" of Fox Harbour), though both of them were Episcopalian. He also served as minister of the Western Bay circuit in 1906-1910, where he officiated over several weddings. A new church was completed in Western Bay during his ministry. He served on the General Board of Missions, 1917-18.

Browning's obituary appeared in the Evening Telegram 1922-10-12: "Methodist Pastor Dead" and gives a more complete picture of his work and service:

Rev. W. H. Browning, Methodist Pastor at Hr. Grace, died early this morning from heart failure. William Henry Browning was born in England 1858 and was ordained in 1887, five years after coming to Newfoundland. His circuits since that time have included St. George's, Britannia, Petites, Random North, Little Bay, Fogo, Bonavista, Burin, Western Bay, Lower Island Cove, Pouch Cove and Harbor Grace. He held various offices In the Methodist Conference, for many years. In 1906 he was elected Secretary and in 1908 President of the Newfoundland Methodist Conference. He was frequently a delegate to the general conferences and General Board of Missions. An able administrator, a loyal minister of the gospel, a true friend, hundreds of his children in God all over the country, and in other lands, will mourn his passing. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Currie of Britannia, to whom the Telegram extends sympathy.

Looking for people who remember making red ochre paint.

Restoring a stage in St. Julien's. Photo Heritage NL.  

Heritage NL is in the process of rejigging our historic paint colours chart and we would love your help. In particular, the Intangible Cultural Heritage office is doing some additional research on the historic and more recent use of red ochre as a paint pigment.

Back in 2016, we posted an interview on the blog with the late Mr. Gerald Quinton, of Red Cliffe, Bonavista Bay, talking about the use of red ochre and lime whitewash. You can go back and listen to that interview here:

http://www.ichblog.ca/2016/05/fisheriesfriday-red-ochre-and-lime.html

People have been using variations on red (or yellow, or brown) ochre for pigments for hundreds if not thousands of years. Finland and Sweden have a long history of using Falu or Falun Red Ochre for paint, which you can still buy commercially, or you can look here for 20 recipes for traditional types of paints from Denmark (including fish and whale oil based paints) or download this Finnish red ochre paint DIY sheet.

A traditional Finnish falu red log house in Äänekoski, Central Finland. Photo Wikipedia.

Many of these paints use some type of linseed oil, and we know that historically, linseed oil was used for the production of some types of paints here in Newfoundland and Labrador as well. In 1843, the St. John's newspaper "The Star And Newfoundland Advocate," (1843-11-23, vol. 03, no. 158 p3) included an advertisement from W & H Thomas and Co, noting the arrival of goods from London, Liverpool, and Hamburg, including red ochre along with other paints. The Morning Courier, (1849-01-04 p3) noted that Richard O’Dwyer at his new stone premises had, from Liverpool, London and from Greenock, Scotland, a variety of goods including paint, oil (type not specified), "spirits turpentine," varnish, and red ochre.

By 1890,  P. & L. Tessier in St. John's was selling kegs of Dry Yellow Ochre Paint, and a variety of linseed oils, including: 30-gallon barrels of "Pale Boiled Linseed Oil"; 30-gallon barrels of "Pale Raw Linseed Oil"; and 1-gal. drums of "No. 1 Boiled linseed Oil" (The Colonist, vol. 05, no. 117, 23 May 1890, p2)

Red Ochre on a building in Jackson's Arm. Photo HFNL.

In the early to mid twentieth century, a lot of outbuildings and fishing stages were painted using a mixture of powdered red ochre and some type of oil, often cod liver oil or seal oil. We'd love to track down anyone with memories of making this type of paint, especially anyone who might remember a recipe similar (or different!) from Mr. Quinton's Red Cliffe version.

If you know of someone who might be good to chat with, you can get in touch with Dale Jarvis at 1-888-739-1892 x2 or email dale@heritagenl.ca 

Living Heritage Podcast Ep142 Fairy Door Tours

In this episode, Tina White and her daughter Samantha Gaulton talk about their St. John's-based business, Fairy Door Tours, the importance of getting outside, and mischievous Newfoundland fairies. Tina is a graphic designer and digital media specialist by day. Struck by a creative spark three years ago, and a desire to share and spread her love of nature to others – Fairy Door Tours was born. She believes the idea was gifted to her by the Fairies, to help connect children and families to nature, and breath life into our fading belief in Fairies. Tina recently trained with the Association of Forest & Nature Therapy Guides & Programs – and will soon be offering guided Forest Bathing Walks as well. Samantha has a background in Marketing & Multimedia. She is a lead guide for Fairy Door Tours and special events, such as wand making, enchanted tea parties, private group tours and birthday parties. You can learn more about Fairy Door Tours on their website, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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.

A scene from Emily Harbour, Labrador. #FolklorePhoto

Hello 2019! Our first Folklore Photo for the year is of Emily Harbour, Labrador, and comes to us from Alice Elizabeth (Betty) Neil, who in turn got the photo from her late sister, Louise Vallis (née Barrett), (September 06, 1933 - February 07, 2015). 

Louise's father had a fishing room at Emily Harbour, and as a young girl, she was sent off to work as a cook for the fishing crew. Date of photo unknown, but shows the home of a Mr. Apsey (sp?).  Any information you have on the individuals shown, or about the house, would be greatly appreciated!

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

Sweeping up the old year! Our final #FolklorePhoto for 2018

Help us identify the woman in this photo! In our records, she is listed as the daughter of Martin Gosse of Spaniard's Bay, caught here mid-action, sweeping up with a broom in front of his house. Note the doll or baby in the little buggy to the bottom right!

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

Living Heritage Podcast Ep141 Cemeteries with Denise Mahoney

Denise Mahoney, City of Mississauga.
Photo by Jason Spencer.
Photo courtesy of: https://www.mississauga.com/photogallery/6311476/

Denise Mahoney is the Manager, Cemeteries & Operational Services, and Program Manager, Cemetery Legislation and Compliance for the City of Mississauga, Ontario. She has over 20 years experience managing municipal cemeteries, and the promotion of heritage resources connected to cemeteries and cenotaphs. In this episode, Denise discusses her family’s connection to Fishot Island, her interest in cemeteries, her position as a heritage coordinator and a cemetery manager with the City of Mississauga, cemetery records and mapping, and the preservation and education of cemeteries.

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.

You got it, Pontiac! A #folklorephoto from South River

Today's folklore photo comes to us courtesy Mary Hutchings. It shows Mary Hutchings (née Dunn) and her father Edwin Dunn. It was taken on the street now known as Springfield Road in South River. In the photo, Mary is around 4 years old, her Dad is about 39. If you look close, you can see a third person hidden in the back seat of the Pontiac, their face obscured, but their right arm hanging over the back of the front seat.  Some car enthusiast out there surely knows the model and year of that car. Let us know!

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

Living Heritage Podcast Ep140 Community Engagement in Canada’s History with Joanna Dawson

Joanna Dawson, Canada's National History Society.
Photo courtesy of: https://www.canadashistory.ca/about-us/staff-listing

Joanna Dawson is the Community Engagement Coordinator with Canada’s History, the official magazine of Canada's National History Society. It is published six times a year and aims to foster greater popular interest in Canadian history, illuminating the people, places, and events that unite us as Canadians. A Newfoundlander/Winnipegger, Joanna joined Canada’s History in 2011 after obtaining her MA in Public History from Western University. In this episode, Joanna discusses her interest and degree in public history, her work with Canada’s National History Society including the Governor General History Awards, Historical Thinking Summer Institute, and Heritage Fairs. You can check out Canada’s History’s website for more information.

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.